Odds and sods I look at regularly, just because they amuse me. I hope they do the same for you. Incidentally, I found this page’s title on Greg Ross’s Futility Closet (it’s somewhere on this page) in a mini-article which also includes the delightful sentence in Icelandic: Barbara Ara bar Ara araba bara rabbabara. Ross points out that this, “besides being fun to say, is spelled with only three letters. It means “Barbara, daughter of Ari, brought only rhubarb to Ari the Arab.”
Fark.com RSS » The problem with Uber isn't that they're ethically-challenged, it's that they're getting caught at being ethically-challenged, according to the venture capitalist who owns a stake in their biggest competitor [Ironic]
[link] [115 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » 911. "Yeah, there's a guy passed out in the Taco Bell drive through." Oh, it's just the Chief of Police [Asinine]
[link] [44 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 6 Forgotten Nursery Rhymes and Their Meanings
Recently, I found a beautiful 19th century children’s book called Mother Goose or the Old Nursery Rhymes. In it, illustrator Kate Greenaway had drawn the demure expressions and swan-like curvatures that had made her famous in her day, all in rare color. Many of the rhymes were familiar—Little Boy Blue and Little Miss Muffett—but some of the more baffling rhymes … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Video of KY fire chief who refused to transport a black family involved in a car crash to the hospital because "We ain't taking no {N-bomb}s" while not only transporting the other white driver, but fixing his car, "Raises questions of
[link] [263 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » In case you've been wondering what the good people of Mississippi have been up to, they are currently trying to get a measure declaring the state "principally Christian" included on an upcoming ballot [Unlikely]
[link] [142 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » No, dumbass, you can't heat your house with four tea candles and a ceramic pot [Dumbass]
[link] [48 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Now let me get this straight. This car you're renting to me actually belongs to some guy who thinks you're giving him free airport parking? [Strange]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Indian government proudly announces 100 rural villages are "open defecation free." Then a government official went for a walk around in a brand-new pair of sandals, and the number was quickly dropped to 20 [Amusing]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Futility Closet » Two Futility Closet Books!
Futility Closet: An Idler’s Miscellany of Compendious Amusements and Futility Closet 2: A Second Trove of Intriguing Tidbits, are available now at Amazon. Both contain hundreds of hand-picked favorites from our 10-year archive of curiosities — perfect for your winter solstice peculiar-fact-sharing needs. Some sample items from the first book’s index: gaiety, of bespectacled horses, 35
hallucination, useful in enlivening … [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, my boyfriend said "You're a real work of art. You know, the abstract kind that no one likes. Anyway, we need to break up." FML [Link]
FMyLife » oops says FML
Today, I was on a date, and I went to put my arm around her, trying to be romantic, but my coordination went straight to hell. Instead of her shoulder, I ended up accidentally grabbing her tit. FML [Link]
FMyLife » Donutsarelife says FML
Today, I spent 20 minutes arguing with the class dipshit, trying to convince her that wifi hot-spots are not in fact saunas powered by wifi. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » The Missing Links: The Apartment at the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Did you know there is a secret apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower? * Speaking of tall structures: Check out the sad fate of the six tallest unfinished buildings. * Check out this video of an angry ram taking out his frustration on a punching bag. I’ve never found a ram to be cute until now. * If … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » This may be the finest example of "Not in my job description" responsibility avoidance ever [Asinine]
[link] [75 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Ancient mariner ripped off by window screen company, vows to shoot them like an Albatross [Stupid]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » THIS is what they meant when they said 'serious economic effects' of EU's Russia sanctions: Putin's banker and his English lover "surviving" on £10,000 a week after asset freeze [Ironic]
[link] [26 comments] [Link]
The Onion » Senate Rejects Pipeline Plan That Would Have Created Thousands Of Climate Activist Jobs
WASHINGTON—Coming up just one vote short of the supermajority needed for the measure to pass, the U.S. Senate rejected an oil pipeline plan Tuesday that analysts say would have created thousands of climate activist jobs. 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Not News: Lake effect snowstorm blankets Lancaster, NY a town 6 miles north of Buffalo with snow. Holy hopping FARK: FIVE FEET of snow to be exact, and it is still snowing. What the Fark?: Meanwhile Buffalo airport has only gotten 3.9 INCHES [Strange
[link] [146 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop Theme: The perfect Fark tattoo design [Photoshop]
[link] [25 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » When the druids, hippies, and locals clear out of Stonehenge after the summer solstice there's always one group left…the Horsedrawn [Cool]
[link] [31 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » There are effective ways to dispose of the remains of your murder victim. Using them as a TV stand is not on that list [Sick]
[link] [34 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Female Russian sports fan has 'scariest voice in the world' according to locals who've apparently never tried to cut off drinks at a bar during a Fark party [Scary]
[link] [40 comments] [Link]
The Onion » Man Just Wants One Trip To Laundromat Where He Doesn’t Meet Perfect Woman
CHICAGO—Stating that he only wants to wash his clothes and be on his way, local man Eric Snyder told reporters Wednesday that for once he’d like to visit the laundromat without meeting an absolutely perfect woman. 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photo essay of men with their sex dolls manages to be simultaneously creepy and . . . well, I guess it's just creepy (Not safe for work) [Strange]
[link] [298 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » In America, we like our guns. We like our guns A LOT. Russia: challenge accepted [Interesting]
[link] [100 comments] [Link]
The Onion » American Voices: Charles Manson To Marry 26-Year-Old Visitor-Girlfriend, ‘Star’
Afton “Star” Burton, the 26-year-old girlfriend of Charles Manson who has been visiting him in prison since she was 17 and runs several websites alleging his innocence, has reportedly procured a marriage license to wed the 80-year-old mass mur… 
[Link]
Mental Floss » 10 Facts About the Internet's Undersea Cables
Sharks are trying to eat the Internet. [Link]
Mental Floss » 17 Old Proverbs We Should Use More Often
1. MANY A LITTLE MAKES A MICKLE Mickle, an Old English word meaning “much" or "a lot,” went out of fashion in the 16th century (except in Scotland, where it held on), but it has such a nice ring to it. It’s sometimes spelled “muckle.” Later versions of this phrase like, “many a muckle makes a mickle” and “many a … [Link]
Mental Floss » The Most Interesting Comics of the Week
Every Wednesday, I write about the most interesting new comics hitting comic shops, bookstores, digital, Kickstarter, and the web. Feel free to comment below if there's a comic you've read recently that you want to talk about or an upcoming comic that you'd like me to consider highlighting. 
Teen Titans Earth One Vol. 1 By Jeff Lemire, Terry Dodson and … [Link]
The Onion » Study: Beginning Email With Short, Disingenuous Inquiry Into Personal Life Best Way To Network
CLEMSON, SC—Having carefully analyzed over 30,000 pieces of correspondence over a two-year period, a study released Wednesday by Clemson University confirmed that beginning an email to a well-connected individual with a short, disingenuous inquiry i… 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Help, help, I'm being oppressed because you won't stand there and let me yell at you [Dumbass]
[link] [147 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Life with the Kardashians? I'd rather stay in poverty in Thailand [Hero]
[link] [54 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Ride Along on the Future Tallest Roller Coaster in the World
When it opens on Orlando, Florida's International Drive in 2017, the Skyscraper will unseat Six Flags' Kingda Ka in New Jersey as the tallest roller coaster in the world. At more than 500 feet, the coaster will be so tall that its construction will require special permission from the Federal Aviation Administration. You can see what it will be like … [Link]
Mental Floss » All the Best Escalator Videos
When you get to ride an escalator, treasure the moment. Then put it on YouTube. [Link]
The Onion » Man Going To Trust Society’s Determination That He Deserves His Privilege
IRVINE, CA—Assuming that the many benefits he enjoys every day would not have been granted to him if he weren’t fully entitled to them, local man Brandon Naylor told reporters Wednesday he is willing to accept society’s determination tha… 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » If you want an affordable house, move to Ohio. Unfortunately, then you'll be in Ohio [Obvious]
[link] [338 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Officials say deceased hair salon patron did not have Ebola, she simply curled up & dyed [Interesting]
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The Onion » Seasonal Depression To Take Over For Chronic Depression For A Few Months
Seasonal Depression To Take Over For Chronic Depression For A Few Months 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Calling on the Power of Fark: Let's make Christmas awesome for kids and families in need. DIT [Hero]
[link] [63 comments] [Link]
The Onion » U-Haul Offers Discount For Customers Who Will Just Move Back Home In 18 Months After Failure To Make It In Major City
PHOENIX—Catering to a large and valuable segment of customers who have misguided visions of what city living will be like, truck rental company U-Haul announced Wednesday that it is now offering a discount to customers who will just end up moving ba… 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » The Russians launched something into space that could be scary, so let's get scared already EVERYBODY PANIC [Amusing]
[link] [84 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » The TSA shows things they have confiscated at the Kennedy Airport. It's OK to bring ice skates on the plane, but not fake chainsaws [Interesting]
[link] [66 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » MissAggravared says FML
Today, I met my sister's fiancé. I would have been happier for her if he hadn't been mine a month ago when I introduced them. FML [Link]
The Onion » Woman Transitions From Being Terrified Of Getting Pregnant To Being Terrified She Can’t Get Pregnant
BETHLEHEM, PA— Acknowledging that she once considered conceiving a child to be the greatest threat to her future, local woman Rebecca Davis confirmed Wednesday that she has transitioned from being terrified of getting pregnant to being terrified she… 
[Link]
Mental Floss » 10 Famous Writers’ Houses Worth Visiting
Ideas for your next literary pilgrimage. [Link]
Mental Floss » How Many Germs Are in a Kiss?
Your mouth is home to 700 different kinds of bacteria, and you may have wondered just how many germs you’re getting—or giving!—when you swap spit with someone else. A new study, just published in the journal Microbiome, provides the answer (germaphobes, you might want to look away now): In a 10 second kiss, an average of 80 million bacteria are … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » New Gallup poll says that Ebola ranks among Americans' top three healthcare concerns. The other two are Obamacare and drinking from the same glass as Paris Hilton [Scary]
[link] [100 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Hard-hitting feature by CNN looks at the top 25 selfies of the week. Coming up at the top of the hour: a local cat can't believe a nearby sound [Dumbass]
[link] [34 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Two men charged with stealing copper pipes from a business, and at the same time we can play "guess what the neck tattoo says" for the guy on the left and "who does he look like" for the guy on the right [Dumbass]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » If you thought guns sales went up whenever the NRA warned of the government taking away your guns, you haven't seen the record sales just from the promise of a grand jury decision in the mid-west [Followup]
[link] [357 comments] [Link]
The Onion » Mellowing Jihadist Not As Enraged By Western Culture As He Used To Be
MIRANSHAH, PAKISTAN—Admitting he has “mellowed out a bit” with age, 54-year-old militant jihadist Adil Jalal Kalmati confided to reporters Wednesday that he now finds himself far less enraged by Western culture than he did in his younger… 
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Don Lemon asks a biting question [Fail]
[link] [96 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Create a fake Amazon page. Convince Walmart to price match the item. Profit [Obvious]
[link] [158 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » After much online ridicule, British film censors pull their collective heads out of their arses and remove the sexual content warning from the new Paddington Bear movie [Followup]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » New York City is about to get rid of all pay phones, thus chasing away Superman once and for all [Sad]
[link] [76 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Before calling a TV station to report long strings of a mysterious fiber are falling from the sky after military planes flew overhead, first make sure they aren't gauze coming from the nearby cattle farm [Amusing]
[link] [23 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Great Dane unexpectedly gives birth to 19 puppies, owner fined for littering [Weird]
[link] [30 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » "His lawyers said Panetti maintains the delusion that Satan is orchestrating his execution by way of the state of Texas, in order to prevent him from preaching the gospel" [Unlikely]
[link] [36 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Buffalo police and SWAT teams have shot 92 dogs in three years while raiding houses, and one guy has 25 kills alone. Your dog does not want to live in western New York [Asinine]
[link] [109 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Everything we know about the Ferguson grand jury: [Interesting]
[link] [161 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Saudi women under investigation after the kingdom's morality police bust a beauty pageant in the holy city of Mecca [Interesting]
[link] [40 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » The New York Times looked for Thanksgiving dishes from each state (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico) that say something about the state or its unique cuisine. Tennessee, what the hell is wrong with you? [Interesting]
[link] [189 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » The latest Internet temper tantrum is burning books by authors you don't like and posting photos of it. You know who ELSE liked to … ah, too easy [Scary]
[link] [115 comments] [Link]
Futility Closet » Hesiod’s Anvil
How far off is heaven? In the Theogony Hesiod gives us a clue: For a brazen anvil falling down from heaven nine nights and days would reach the earth upon the tenth; and again, a brazen anvil falling from earth nine nights and days would reach Tartarus upon the tenth. How far can an anvil fall in nine days? Galileo, … [Link]
Weird Universe » Virtual Reality Experiment
UK artist Mark Farid wants to spend 28 days wearing virtual reality goggles, and he wants all of us to pay for it. His plan is that by wearing the goggles he will "experience life through another person's eyes and ears." This person whose life he'll be experiencing is only known as "The Other."
Farid is raising money on Kickstarter … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this dangerous animal [Photoshop]
[link] [23 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » jigglypluff says FML
Today, my wife and I decided to try out role playing. She ended up having an anxiety attack when I said she wasn't turning in her homework. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Today marks 10 years since the first Ron Artest Interactive Fan Experience [Dumbass]
[link] [56 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Uber executive wants to start ethics in taxicab journalism campaign [Dumbass]
[link] [78 comments] [Link]
Weird Universe » Follies of the Madmen #235
[Link]
Mental Floss » Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at a German Watch Factory
German watchmaking company Nomos Glashütte makes all of its watches in house, and the process is fascinating. This video gives you a tour around the factory and shows the step-by-step process for creating a watch. Every stage is precise and carefully executed, like each watch is a tiny masterpiece. The factory offers tours so you can see the action in … [Link]
Mental Floss » 5 Questions: It's "Doo"-able
[Link]
Mental Floss » It's "Doo"-able
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » You might need to brush up on your parenting skills if you let your young children teeth on cigarette butts and give them an over-the-counter sleep aid meant for adults [Sad]
[link] [32 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Morning Cup of Links: A Hamster Thanksgiving
Tiny Hamsters Enjoy a Tiny Thanksgiving Meal in the Name of Cuteness. They eat their tiny food while wearing tiny little Pilgrim hats!
*
Fifty states, fifty-two recipes: The New York Times looked for Thanksgiving dishes from each state (plus D.C. and Puerto Rico) that say something about the state or its unique cuisine. Try to guess what recipe will represent … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » New research shows that Millennials actually *are* different from previous generations. OK, I guess you can keep that trophy [Interesting]
[link] [131 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Caption these foxy talkers [Caption]
[link] [35 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » The modern work day never ends. NOW CHECK YOUR EMAIL, SIMMONS [Obvious]
[link] [125 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Dogfish Head to Debut a Beer Full of Breakfast Food
I'm not a big beer drinker, but I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, which means I have the distinction of being one of the only people more interested in the congealed mush of pork scraps and cornmeal than the alcohol in Dogfish Head's new brew, Beer for Breakfast. Among the founding beers when the brewery first opened in 1995 … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Behold — the Manson wedding gift registry [Interesting]
[link] [55 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, my self-esteem hit rock bottom when I was intimidated by a 10-year-old. I'm 23. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » We can't stop here, this is dead bat country [Sad]
[link] [22 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » A Woman in NY who recently traveled from Guinea and was being monitored for Ebola drops dead with blood coming from her face, nose and mouth. "What do you mean heart attacks don't cause bleeding from all orifices?" Fine, we'll test he
[link] [114 comments] [Link]
Futility Closet » Reflection
“Sir Winston Churchill once told me of a reply made by the Duke of Wellington, in his last years, when a friend asked him: ‘If you had your life over again, is there any way in which you could have done better?’ The old Duke replied: ‘Yes, I should have given more praise.'” — Bernard Montgomery, A History of Warfare, … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Orange County, Florida's weirdest write-in votes from Election Day, including nearly 300 for Mickey Mouse, and 1 for "My Cat Would Be Better Than Scott or Crist" [Florida]
[link] [36 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Jury awards $638K in disabled S&M case. You can't beat that [Interesting]
[link] [59 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 11 Fascinating Facts About the Frilled Shark
Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0 Sometimes called a “living fossil” because it’s changed so little since prehistoric times, this eel-like shark is rarely seen by humans. Here’s a quick primer. 1. IT’S NAMED FOR ITS GILLS. Its scientific name is Chlamydoselachus anguineus, but this creature’s common name comes from its gills: Unlike all other sharks, which have separate gills, C. anguineus’ first … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Looking for a dysfunctional Thanksgiving gathering that's authentically miserable? There's a map for that [Amusing]
[link] [46 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Woman and her little dog get really pissed at a New Jersey plus-sized women's clothing store [Asinine]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » New study confirms marijuana kills brain cancer. Far out, man [Cool]
[link] [91 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » steak through the heart says FML
Today, I went on a date. I took her out to an expensive steak house. When she was done eating, she got up, said she was married, and told me she only accepted the date because I'd be paying for it. FML [Link]
FMyLife » hatemydentist says FML
Today, it was the fourth time I've had major dental work done, because my dentist messed up my root canal. After almost a dozen needles, three missed work days, over $1,000, and 2 broken tools, I only have a tiny, barely-successful filling to show for it. FML [Link]
FMyLife » drugsforthugs says FML
Today, in the middle of a boring class, my friend offered me some Smarties. We're not allowed to eat in class, but I had a couple anyway. As I put them in my mouth, my "friend" stood up and yelled that I was doing ecstasy. I might actually get expelled. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Know who won the U.S. Civil War? Congratulations, you're smarter than a Texas Tech University student [Stupid]
[link] [178 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Why Gray Days Are Better for Nerds
On cloudy days, college application reviewers ranked academic achievements most important. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Vacuum truck sucks at being vacuum truck [Scary]
[link] [22 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Pro-tip: Stabbing your prospective employer during your job interview may lead to continued unemployment [Dumbass]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » If that terrorist group can mint their own currency, why can't Fark? Photoshop some Fark legal tender. LGT GIS "funny money" [Photoshop]
[link] [25 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » School official responds to mixed-race couples in Homecoming picture with tweet "every white father's worst nightmare". Was that wrong? Should he have not done that? [Dumbass]
[link] [299 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Japan to move [and expand] its Antarctic whaling areas to continue their important scientific research on the best seasoning for Minke whales [Asinine]
[link] [31 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » You had me at 'Sex Mountain' [Interesting]
[link] [55 comments] [Link]
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