(1) They solve a very common problem.
Whether it's caused by our increasingly short national attention span, or a lack of time for unwholesome entertainment, funny top 10 lists solve the same problem: the need for a quick, easily obtained humor fix. Funny top ten lists are just like reading ten short jokes: there's a single set-up line (the headline), followed by ten targeted punch lines. Just the ticket for those of us with attention deficit disorder ... or solitary social lives.
(2) The number ten has symbolic meaning.
The number 10 is the basis for the decimal system; the most common numbering system in the world. Mathematical scholars tell us that the number 10 was chosen by early humans because, whenever they looked down, they always saw 10 digits. Since most early humans ran around naked, it's pretty clear that we have women to thank for devising the decimal system.
(3) The headlines grab our attention.
Since most of these lists appear on the Internet, they're largely uncensored. As a result, they're often designed to appeal to our baser interests. You remember our "baser interests," don't you? They're the subconscious thoughts about y-rated sex that keep popping into our heads every 10 or 15-seconds. As a general rule, funny top 10 lists feature all the best and worst elements of The National Enquirer.
(4) They're highly addictive.
You can never read just one! Unless you have an Actual Life, they invariably draw you in; and pretty soon, you're spending more time with funny top ten lists than a rocker spends in rehab. Although individual lists can be read rather quickly, they typically appear as part of a large group of lists. If you enjoy the first few lists, the hook is set. Now you've got to read on, in order to find out if the others are equally funny.
(5) They draw attention to a website.
Experts in search engine optimization have long known that the addition of funny top ten lists to a website is one of the best ways to increase visitor traffic and links from other sites. This technique often attracts attention so effectively that these lists are frequently referred to as "link bait" within the SEO industry. Since funny top 10 lists are known to attract a lot of eyeballs, sites that showcase them are extremely popular with online advertisers.
(6) Most lists are evergreen.
Whether funny top ten lists target current or historical topics, public interest in these lists is essentially timeless. Although former N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer and O.J. Simpson would probably like to believe otherwise, the public does not quickly forget the people or events that have attracted the media spotlight. Plus, skillful composers of funny top ten lists can easily bring readers up to speed by incorporating any necessary background information into the lists themselves.
(7) They appeal to a very diverse audience.
Although individual composers of funny top 10 lists must remain focused upon a specific target audience, collectively, these lists have widespread appeal. Anyone with a troubled childhood, a wet sense of humor, or a depraved indifference to Paris Hilton is likely to become an instant fan. As Larry the Cable Guy is fond of saying, "I don't care who you are; that's funny!"
(8) They poke fun at every imaginable topic.
When it comes to comedy, nothing (and no one) is sacred. Just ask any Ayatollah in your neighborhood. In fact, the more supposedly sacred the target, the greater the added shock value. And remember: one funny top ten list equals ten total shocks!
(9) David Letterman keeps public awareness high.
Even though he's just a reader, rather than a creator, of humorous top 10 lists, Letterman's name has been synonymous with these lists for the past 25-years. His reading of a top 10 list is always one of the most eagerly anticipated events on his Late Night television show. Of course, it helps to be as goofy-looking as David Letterman, and have a backup band musically punctuating every punch line when you're presenting a funny top 10 list.
On the other hand, since he's not allowed to use any of The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television, his team of comedy writers deserve a great deal of praise for maintaining the long-term popularity of top 10 lists.
sâmbătă, 30 iulie 2011
vineri, 29 iulie 2011
German can be funny too
It is always interesting to find out more about the language you are learning. So how about taking some time off the Grammar and the Vocabulary lessons, and focus more on the fun part of the German language!
For instance, did you know:
German and English might be sister languages; as you might have already bumped into a few German words that were similar to the English ones. However, that might be sometimes tricky, for example:
To quote Mark Twain: "Some German words are so long that they have a perspective!"
Here are a few examples:
When it finally came to a vote, English narrowly won - by one vote!
This brings an end to this article.
Hope you've enjoyed it, keep an eye out for a follow-up soon enough!
For instance, did you know:
German and English might be sister languages; as you might have already bumped into a few German words that were similar to the English ones. However, that might be sometimes tricky, for example:
- In German, the word "Gift" actually means "poison"! So always take care from the type of "Gifts" you accept from your German buddies!
- Another one is the German word "Mist", which means "bird droppings" (in other words "bullsh"). For that reason alone, the Irish perfume brand "Irish Mist" was renamed to "Irisch Moos" (Irish Moss) when it was first introduced to the German market!
- Another weird coincidence is the German ward "Rat", which funnily enough means "advice"! So go ahead, accept "Rats" from your German friends (just stay out from the "Gifts).
- The German word for "girl" (das Mädchen) is oddly neuter, and so is "wife" (das Weib - a word commonly used for "female" or "woman" as well).
- Another funny example is the German words for "knife" (das Messer), "fork" (die Gabel), and "spoon" (der Löffel). For some reason the spoon became masculine, while the fork became feminine!
To quote Mark Twain: "Some German words are so long that they have a perspective!"
Here are a few examples:
- Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz A 63-letter word meaning: Beef labeling regulation & delegation of supervision law (whatever that means!)
- Rechtsschutzversicherungsgesellschaften A 39-letter word meaning: Legal protection insurance companies (I bet you already guessed that, didn't you?)
- Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei! - Everything has an end, only sausage has two!
- Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof - I only understand trainstation (Similar to the English proverb, iIt is all Greek to me)
- Das ist nicht dein Bier! - That is not your beer! (in other words: none of your business!)
When it finally came to a vote, English narrowly won - by one vote!
This brings an end to this article.
Hope you've enjoyed it, keep an eye out for a follow-up soon enough!
Aren't guinea pigs adorable?
Guinea pigs are very popular pets for people of most ages. Each cavy is different, having his or her own personality and favourite things. Here are some interesting and fun guinea pig facts:
1) When guinea pigs are happy and excited they often do little jumps, and flicks of their back legs - this is known as 'pop-corning' and is particularly common with young pigs.
2) Do cavies have tails? There's so much confusion about this cavy topic. In fact piggies do have a tail vertebrae but most do not have a tail that you can see.
3) In order to be able to properly digest their food guinea piggies will eat some of their faeces. However, they only eat certain types of their droppings called 'cecotropes' or 'cecal faeces'- these droppings have B vitamins and bacteria in that cavies need to completely digest grass.
4) Cavies can be found roaming wild in some parts of South America.
5) Interestingly, most cavies are not nocturnal, or fully diurnal, but are what some people call 'alert nappers'. This means they generally sleep and quieten down at night, but will often sleep in the daytime as well.
6) Pigs have a wide range of 'squeaks' and 'wheeks' which they use to communicate with their owners and other cavies with.
7) Guinea pigs can't make their own Vitamin C like most rodents can, but have to consume it, otherwise they can get illnesses such as scurvy which are often linked to Vitamin C deficiency.
8) Baby pigs are able to run at the tender age of three hours!
9) Most cavy's teeth never stop growing.
10) Guinea pig's aren't related to pigs (well at least not very closely) despite their name! It is thought that they were named 'pigs' due to their squeaking sounding like proper pigs, and the 'guinea' part is thought to come from the fact that some cavies can be found wild in Guyana.
So, next time you see a guinea piggy you'll (hopefully) know a little more about them.
1) When guinea pigs are happy and excited they often do little jumps, and flicks of their back legs - this is known as 'pop-corning' and is particularly common with young pigs.
2) Do cavies have tails? There's so much confusion about this cavy topic. In fact piggies do have a tail vertebrae but most do not have a tail that you can see.
3) In order to be able to properly digest their food guinea piggies will eat some of their faeces. However, they only eat certain types of their droppings called 'cecotropes' or 'cecal faeces'- these droppings have B vitamins and bacteria in that cavies need to completely digest grass.
4) Cavies can be found roaming wild in some parts of South America.
5) Interestingly, most cavies are not nocturnal, or fully diurnal, but are what some people call 'alert nappers'. This means they generally sleep and quieten down at night, but will often sleep in the daytime as well.
6) Pigs have a wide range of 'squeaks' and 'wheeks' which they use to communicate with their owners and other cavies with.
7) Guinea pigs can't make their own Vitamin C like most rodents can, but have to consume it, otherwise they can get illnesses such as scurvy which are often linked to Vitamin C deficiency.
8) Baby pigs are able to run at the tender age of three hours!
9) Most cavy's teeth never stop growing.
10) Guinea pig's aren't related to pigs (well at least not very closely) despite their name! It is thought that they were named 'pigs' due to their squeaking sounding like proper pigs, and the 'guinea' part is thought to come from the fact that some cavies can be found wild in Guyana.
So, next time you see a guinea piggy you'll (hopefully) know a little more about them.
Fun with Rosemary
Rosemary is a lovely evergreen perennial herb with culinary, aromatic, and medicinal uses, and one of the favorites in herb gardening around the world. How much did you know about this magical plant?
The name of Rosemary originates from the Latinword rosmarinus, meaning "mist of the sea" or "dew of the sea".
Rosemary is part of the mint family, together with Basil, Lavender, Oregano and many other herbs.
Rosemary can easily grow to five feet.
Rosemary has small, pretty bluish-purple flowers.
Wild Rosemary can be found along the sea cliff along the coastof Italy, Greece, Spain and France.
In the 16th century, Rosemary was often burned in sickrooms as disinfectant to kill germs.
Ancient Greeks believed that Rosemary was a magical plant that could strengthen memory.
Rosemary sprigs are traditionally scattered on the grave toshow that the beloved family member would not be forgotten.
During the English Tudor era, Rosemary symbolized fidelity, and brides would give sprigsof Rosemary to bridegroom as a tradition.
In the old days, Rosemary has been used as an herbal medicine to relief gas, toothache, headache andeven baldness.
Rosemary has been named Herb of The Year in 2000 by the International Herb Association.
Dried, well-preserved Rosemary is able to retain most of the flavor and fragrance.
For culinary purposes, Rosemary is often paired up with lamb as its bittersweet, nutty flavor is excellent in counterbalancing the richness and fattiness from the meat.
Distilled Rosemary oil can be poisonous in strong doses.
Rosemary is also used as an aromatic herb and its extract can be found in tinctures, bath oil, hair rinse, and insect repellent.
The best time in planning Rosemary is early Spring orFall.
Overwatering is Rosemary's biggest enemy.
Rosemary can be used as an edging plant.
Rosemary is quite difficult to grow from seeds.
Rosemary can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Rosemary loves well-drained soil with pH of6.0-7.5.
While Rosemary is extremely drought-resistant, its seedling should be watered regularly until its root system is matured. This usually means one year of regular watering.
Rosemary attracts bees - a pleasant surprise to any herb and vegetable gardeners!
The name of Rosemary originates from the Latinword rosmarinus, meaning "mist of the sea" or "dew of the sea".
Rosemary is part of the mint family, together with Basil, Lavender, Oregano and many other herbs.
Rosemary can easily grow to five feet.
Rosemary has small, pretty bluish-purple flowers.
Wild Rosemary can be found along the sea cliff along the coastof Italy, Greece, Spain and France.
In the 16th century, Rosemary was often burned in sickrooms as disinfectant to kill germs.
Ancient Greeks believed that Rosemary was a magical plant that could strengthen memory.
Rosemary sprigs are traditionally scattered on the grave toshow that the beloved family member would not be forgotten.
During the English Tudor era, Rosemary symbolized fidelity, and brides would give sprigsof Rosemary to bridegroom as a tradition.
In the old days, Rosemary has been used as an herbal medicine to relief gas, toothache, headache andeven baldness.
Rosemary has been named Herb of The Year in 2000 by the International Herb Association.
Dried, well-preserved Rosemary is able to retain most of the flavor and fragrance.
For culinary purposes, Rosemary is often paired up with lamb as its bittersweet, nutty flavor is excellent in counterbalancing the richness and fattiness from the meat.
Distilled Rosemary oil can be poisonous in strong doses.
Rosemary is also used as an aromatic herb and its extract can be found in tinctures, bath oil, hair rinse, and insect repellent.
The best time in planning Rosemary is early Spring orFall.
Overwatering is Rosemary's biggest enemy.
Rosemary can be used as an edging plant.
Rosemary is quite difficult to grow from seeds.
Rosemary can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Rosemary loves well-drained soil with pH of6.0-7.5.
While Rosemary is extremely drought-resistant, its seedling should be watered regularly until its root system is matured. This usually means one year of regular watering.
Rosemary attracts bees - a pleasant surprise to any herb and vegetable gardeners!
New Zealand is fun!
Here's why New Zealand is fun:
1) The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means the land of the long white cloud.
2) New Zealand has two official national Anthems of equal standing - God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen.
3) Kiwi refers to New Zealand's native flightless bird and also used as a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit kiwifruit, also known as Chinese Gooseberries.
4) To become a New Zealand citizen, one must swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.
5) The official languages are English and Maori.
6) The Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840, establish a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Maori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Maori the rights of British subjects.
7) The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland.
8) Auckland City Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 metres.
9) Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand, is the southernmost capital city in the world.
10) It was made legal for all male and female New Zealand citizens to vote in 1893, the first major nation to have universal suffrage.
11) New Zealand is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire. Mount Ruapehu, situated in the middle of North Island, is the most active volcano on mainland.
12) You drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, and always give way to cars on your right.
13) Three quarter of New Zealand's population live on the North Island, and one quarter of the population live in Auckland.
14) New Zealand has 6,000 kilometres of coastline and the furthest inland is only 120km from the coast.
15) The Surville Cliffs is the northernmost point in New Zealand, 3kilometre further than Cape Reinga (popularly known as the northernmost point).
16) The Slope Point is the southernmost point in New Zealand (although Bluff is more commonly known), excluding Steward Island.
17) Lake Taupo was a crater caused by the largest known eruption in the world 26,500 years ago. It is approximately the size of Singapore Island and Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.
18) East Polynesian settlers (Maoris) arrived in New Zealand between 800 and 1300.
19) New Zealand and Australasia's highest mountain is Aoraki Mount Cook, standing at 3,754 metres.
20) 30% of New Zealand land is forest.
21) Ninety-mile beach is only 55miles long.
22) The largest glacier in New Zealand is the Tasman Glacier at 28.5km long.
23) Dunedin is home to New Zealand's oldest university, first newspaper and first botanic gardens.
24) Gisborne is the first major city in the world to see the sunrise. It is 496.3kilometres away from the International Date Line.
25) New Zealand was the first country to have its three top positions held simultaneously by women - Prime Minister Helen Clark, Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright and Chief Justice Sian Elias.
26) The Lord of the Rings was filmed entirely in New Zealand.
27) Bungy jumping was invented by a New Zealander, A J Hackett, with the world's first site at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown.
28) New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.
29) Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander born in Auckland, was the first man to reach Mount Everest peak. His face is now on the 5-dollar note.
30) Ernest Rutherford, known as father of nuclear physics for his orbital theory of the atom, is a New Zealand and Nobel Prize Winner.
31) New Zealand is fairly liberal that allow same-gender marriage, driving age at 15, consensual sex age at 16, drinking age at 18 (minors are allowed alcohol if accompanied by adults), prostitution and soliciting.
32) There is one birth every 8 minutes 13 seconds, and a net migration gain of one New Zealand resident every 25 minute 49 seconds.
33) New Zealand has the highest ratio of golf courses and bookshops to people than any country in the world.
34) There are 9 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand - human population in 2010 is 4.3 million people.
35) New Zealand is one of the top 5 dairy exporters in the world.
36) New Zealand has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world, with 2.5 million cars for 4 million people.
37) There are about 14,000 earthquakes in New Zealand every year.
38) The first European who discovered New Zealand was Dutch sailor Abel Tasman in 1642.
39) English Captain James Cook arrived in 1769 and mapped the land.
40) The largest Kauri tree in the world, Tane Mahuta, is situated in the Waipoua Forest in Northland region. It is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old.
41) Pohutukawa tree is the New Zealand Christmas tree, which bloom crimson red flowers for a few weeks during summer in December.
42) Moa was one of the largest birds in history, standing up to 3.6metre tall. They were hunted to extinction by the end of 1500s.
43) New Zealand houses the world's oldest reptile - Tuatara - that has been around for 200 million years.
44) The heaviest insect in the world is a New Zealand native - Weta.
45) Possums and rabbits are considered pests in New Zealand.
46) New Zealand cities are rank among the world's most livable due to the education, economic freedom and lack of corruption, etc.
47) There are no snakes in New Zealand.
48) There are no predatory animals in New Zealand before European arrival.
49) There are no nuclear power stations in New Zealand.
50) The world's steepest road is Baldwin Street at Dunedin.
1) The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means the land of the long white cloud.
2) New Zealand has two official national Anthems of equal standing - God Defend New Zealand and God Save the Queen.
3) Kiwi refers to New Zealand's native flightless bird and also used as a slang term for a New Zealander. Kiwis call the fruit kiwifruit, also known as Chinese Gooseberries.
4) To become a New Zealand citizen, one must swear an oath of loyalty to Queen Elizabeth.
5) The official languages are English and Maori.
6) The Treaty of Waitangi, signed on 6 February 1840, establish a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Maori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Maori the rights of British subjects.
7) The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland.
8) Auckland City Sky Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 metres.
9) Wellington, the Capital City of New Zealand, is the southernmost capital city in the world.
10) It was made legal for all male and female New Zealand citizens to vote in 1893, the first major nation to have universal suffrage.
11) New Zealand is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire. Mount Ruapehu, situated in the middle of North Island, is the most active volcano on mainland.
12) You drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, and always give way to cars on your right.
13) Three quarter of New Zealand's population live on the North Island, and one quarter of the population live in Auckland.
14) New Zealand has 6,000 kilometres of coastline and the furthest inland is only 120km from the coast.
15) The Surville Cliffs is the northernmost point in New Zealand, 3kilometre further than Cape Reinga (popularly known as the northernmost point).
16) The Slope Point is the southernmost point in New Zealand (although Bluff is more commonly known), excluding Steward Island.
17) Lake Taupo was a crater caused by the largest known eruption in the world 26,500 years ago. It is approximately the size of Singapore Island and Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia.
18) East Polynesian settlers (Maoris) arrived in New Zealand between 800 and 1300.
19) New Zealand and Australasia's highest mountain is Aoraki Mount Cook, standing at 3,754 metres.
20) 30% of New Zealand land is forest.
21) Ninety-mile beach is only 55miles long.
22) The largest glacier in New Zealand is the Tasman Glacier at 28.5km long.
23) Dunedin is home to New Zealand's oldest university, first newspaper and first botanic gardens.
24) Gisborne is the first major city in the world to see the sunrise. It is 496.3kilometres away from the International Date Line.
25) New Zealand was the first country to have its three top positions held simultaneously by women - Prime Minister Helen Clark, Governor General Dame Silvia Cartwright and Chief Justice Sian Elias.
26) The Lord of the Rings was filmed entirely in New Zealand.
27) Bungy jumping was invented by a New Zealander, A J Hackett, with the world's first site at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown.
28) New Zealand has won more Olympic gold medals, per capita, than any other country.
29) Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander born in Auckland, was the first man to reach Mount Everest peak. His face is now on the 5-dollar note.
30) Ernest Rutherford, known as father of nuclear physics for his orbital theory of the atom, is a New Zealand and Nobel Prize Winner.
31) New Zealand is fairly liberal that allow same-gender marriage, driving age at 15, consensual sex age at 16, drinking age at 18 (minors are allowed alcohol if accompanied by adults), prostitution and soliciting.
32) There is one birth every 8 minutes 13 seconds, and a net migration gain of one New Zealand resident every 25 minute 49 seconds.
33) New Zealand has the highest ratio of golf courses and bookshops to people than any country in the world.
34) There are 9 sheep to every 1 human in New Zealand - human population in 2010 is 4.3 million people.
35) New Zealand is one of the top 5 dairy exporters in the world.
36) New Zealand has one of the highest car ownership rates in the world, with 2.5 million cars for 4 million people.
37) There are about 14,000 earthquakes in New Zealand every year.
38) The first European who discovered New Zealand was Dutch sailor Abel Tasman in 1642.
39) English Captain James Cook arrived in 1769 and mapped the land.
40) The largest Kauri tree in the world, Tane Mahuta, is situated in the Waipoua Forest in Northland region. It is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old.
41) Pohutukawa tree is the New Zealand Christmas tree, which bloom crimson red flowers for a few weeks during summer in December.
42) Moa was one of the largest birds in history, standing up to 3.6metre tall. They were hunted to extinction by the end of 1500s.
43) New Zealand houses the world's oldest reptile - Tuatara - that has been around for 200 million years.
44) The heaviest insect in the world is a New Zealand native - Weta.
45) Possums and rabbits are considered pests in New Zealand.
46) New Zealand cities are rank among the world's most livable due to the education, economic freedom and lack of corruption, etc.
47) There are no snakes in New Zealand.
48) There are no predatory animals in New Zealand before European arrival.
49) There are no nuclear power stations in New Zealand.
50) The world's steepest road is Baldwin Street at Dunedin.
Fun Facts in USA Post Offices
As strange as this may sound there are actually fun facts about the US post office that would intrigue most people.
First of them is that the fleets of long life vehicles belonging to the post office actually have their drivers drive on the right side as opposed to the standard left side. It would be irritating and a waste of time for each driver to keep having to come out of the vehicle to deliver the mail so this actually accommodates them by saving them that time.
We have all heard or read about seventh day Adventists, you may even be one yourself. Then it might interest you to know that in a city called Loma Linda post is delivered on Sunday and not on Saturday. This is because a large portion of the population there are seventh day Adventists so delivering post on Saturday would go against their belief that Saturday is a day to rest and not to work. To them it is their Sabbath.
Another interesting fun fact about the US post office is that it is the second largest employer with the first being Wal-Mart. It offers employment to over 700000 people. We've also heard of remote places and these remote places also have remote postal offices. One such place is Alaska. The post office at Anaktuvuk is the remotest one because all of its mail has to be delivered by air.
Another fact that would pique your interest is that a certain phrase derived from the post office is actually a much used slang terminology. This phrase is "to go postal". In slang this means to go completely insane or crazy. Its use followed up the number of events that happened between 1986 and 1997 where 40 people were killed by US postal employees because of workplace rage. These are just a few of the many fun facts about the US post office.
First of them is that the fleets of long life vehicles belonging to the post office actually have their drivers drive on the right side as opposed to the standard left side. It would be irritating and a waste of time for each driver to keep having to come out of the vehicle to deliver the mail so this actually accommodates them by saving them that time.
We have all heard or read about seventh day Adventists, you may even be one yourself. Then it might interest you to know that in a city called Loma Linda post is delivered on Sunday and not on Saturday. This is because a large portion of the population there are seventh day Adventists so delivering post on Saturday would go against their belief that Saturday is a day to rest and not to work. To them it is their Sabbath.
Another interesting fun fact about the US post office is that it is the second largest employer with the first being Wal-Mart. It offers employment to over 700000 people. We've also heard of remote places and these remote places also have remote postal offices. One such place is Alaska. The post office at Anaktuvuk is the remotest one because all of its mail has to be delivered by air.
Another fact that would pique your interest is that a certain phrase derived from the post office is actually a much used slang terminology. This phrase is "to go postal". In slang this means to go completely insane or crazy. Its use followed up the number of events that happened between 1986 and 1997 where 40 people were killed by US postal employees because of workplace rage. These are just a few of the many fun facts about the US post office.
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