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.”
Mental Floss » Strange States: South Dakota's Wall Drug
If you want to learn about someplace, you can always pick up a textbook. But if you want to get to know a place, you're going to have to dig a little deeper. And what you find there might be a little strange. The Strange States series will take you on a virtual tour of America to uncover the unusual … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » California residents cut their water use by 29% in May. Mostly because nothing has been coming out of the tap since April [Followup]
[link] [101 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » No, you aren't going to get to Havana before it gets a Starbucks – JetBlue has just started passenger air service there [Cool]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 14 Things You Might Not Know About ‘Forrest Gump’
‘Forrest Gump’ facts are like a box of chocolates: You never know what you’re going to get. [Link]
Mental Floss » What's the Right Way to Make a Daiquiri?
Named for a Cuban beach, this mixture of lime, sugar, and rum is a pre-Prohibition bar staple. [Link]
Overheard In The Office » 9AM Back to Work
Foreign boss: [Cynthia], what are you eating?
Veronica: A breakfast burrito.
Foreign boss: Oh, no, [Cynthia]. You will never find a boyfriend. 350 South Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, California Overheard by: ben rosman [Link]
Overheard In The Office » Don't Answer If It's Your Sex Life.
Manager #1: Hey, how was your weekend?Manager #2: It was good, didn't really do anything.Manager #3, walking into the room: I really need to get a wig because of this shark problem.Manager #1: Uh… what?Manager #2: I know what we were talking about, but what the fuck are you on about?Denver, Colorado [Link]
Overheard In The Office » Lottery Board: Eeexcellent!
Customer: These ice cream cones and a hundred dollars in lotto tickets.Store clerk: Okay, $106.39Customer: What? These ice creams cost six dollars?! What a waste of money! No, I dont want them. What a waste. Seriously! No, no — just the lotto tickets.Eastlake Mart
Seattle, WashingtonOverheard by: kallisti [Link]
Overheard In The Office » The Valedictorian Was a Cinderblock
Ex-Army: I’m dumb as a rock and I still graduated number two in my class.Ex-Marine: That’s the Army for you.250 South Country Fair Drive
Champaign, IllinoisOverheard by: zundian [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Here's the list of colleges in the U.S. you don't want to hear your child say they were accepted to and plan on attending after high school graduation [Murica]
[link] [114 comments] [Link]
Overheard In The Office » You're Welcome to Come Browse Through Our Bargain Bin, Ma'am
Coworker on phone: Hi! Yes, I'm am looking for deer carcasses. I was hoping you can help me find some roadkill deer carcasses.Virginia [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Edmonton police are 0 for 11 in clearing this year's murders. No one is upset about it because Oilers fans are used to losing records [Fail]
[link] [72 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » "It takes one to know one" is a schoolyard taunt, not an excuse for a drug addict working in the state drug testing lab [PSA]
[link] [26 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 15 Things You Might Not Know About 'Cat’s Cradle'
Get familiar with the tale behind one of Kurt Vonnegut's most beloved stories. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Two news crews from two separate news stations robbed while reporting on the same crime [Ironic]
[link] [68 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » How to drink like a billionaire – yachts, planes and $100k shots [Cool]
[link] [48 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » ISIS "emir of suicide bombings" killed in airstrike. Was identified by parts of emir, and parts of emir, and parts of emir [Murica]
[link] [137 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this Fuji viewer [Photoshop]
[link] [26 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The Strangest 'America's Most Wanted' Capture
Dan Lewis runs the popular daily newsletter Now I Know ("Learn Something New Every Day, By Email"). To subscribe to his daily email, click here. The Green Parrot Cafe, according to the cover of its menu, was "a private club" in Salt Lake City, Utah, open seven days a week for the benefit of "members and their guests." Early in … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Book subscription service pulling romance titles because too many people are reading them [Ironic]
[link] [33 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » 24 of the craziest state fair foods. Now you can enjoy spaghetti ice cream in Indiana and wash it down with deep-fried Starbucks in California [Sick]
[link] [22 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Let's see a stupid cat do THIS [Sappy]
[link] [19 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Those are some mighty fine National Parks you have there America. It would be a shame if something were to happen to them [Asinine]
[link] [156 comments] [Link]
Overheard In The Office » 12PM Monitor Calls
CSR on phone: [Comtech], accounts receiveable, this is [Brett]…Yes, this is [Comtech]…This is the accounts receivable department, yes…My name is [Brett]…[Brett]! 420 5th Avenue
New York, NY [Link]
Fark.com RSS » On the eve of July 4, come take this week's Fark Weird News Quiz. While you still have all 10 fingers [Survey]
[link] [10 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Pod City: 8 Recently Launched Podcasts
New podcasts are popping up by the second these days, so this week I’m rounding up a handful of my recent favorites. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » If you want to have your picture taken wearing a Kevlar vest and carrying several weapons and rounds of ammunition, it's probably best to have a photographer go to your house rather then going to the studio in the mall [Obvious]
[link] [103 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Possible Breakthrough for Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Norwegian researchers think chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by antibodies produced to fight off infection. [Link]
Mental Floss » 5 Questions: "Let-" Us Play More
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Alligator kills man who swam in Texas bayou despite sign reading 'Warning: Alligators' [Dumbass]
[link] [75 comments] [Link]
Overheard In The Office » Beaver Not, Lest Ye Be Beavertoned
Marketing to IT worker: Would you stop looking in my trash and judging me?Beaverton, Oregon [Link]
Mental Floss » The Weird Week in Review
Truck Spill Frees a Million Bees A shortage of bees makes it necessary to haul bees to agricultural areas for pollination purposes, so it had to happen sooner or later. A truck carrying bees through Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, overturned on I-90 and spilled up to a million bees on Sunday. Traffic was backed up for a couple of hours, and … [Link]
Mental Floss » Feeling Angry? Take a Nap
A nap heightens people's ability to withstand frustration, according to a new study. [Link]
FMyLife » jasondrags says FML
Today, I tried to arrange my first gallery exhibition as a photography student. Not even my mother wants to come. FML [Link]
FMyLife » NeedMoreFriends says FML
Today, I rang up a good friend to ask her to be one of the two bridesmaids at my upcoming wedding. Before I could ask, she let me know that she would not be attending my wedding, as, "Weddings are expensive, so I'm not attending ones for people that are just acquaintances". FML [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, I'm babysitting for kids whose parents said they would be back by 12. Its 4am and they still aren't home. I don't get paid enough for this. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Tonight's forecast: some light scattered clouds overnight, cooler temperatures, and a moderate chance of pickup trucks [Scary]
[link] [27 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Remember the owner of the Maine inn who charged a $125 entry fee for an essay contest to win her business? Well, state police have determined she did not violate Maine gambling laws and can keep the $900,000 she made [Followup]
[link] [62 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Don't you just hate having to call the police because a stranger breaks into your home, uses the toilet and doesn't flush? [Strange]
[link] [33 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 14 Hot and Juicy Facts About Nathan’s Famous
Nathan's Hot Dogs are as American as, well, its hot dog eating contest. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » On the third day of Indiana's new left lane law, the score is police 1, cell phone driving soccer moms 6,287,193 [Followup]
[link] [160 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » People aren't the only things sharks are chowing down on in the Outer Banks. "At least 2/3 of your catch is going to be eaten before it ever gets to the boat. The sharks have gotten to the point where they are just following the boat," [S
[link] [59 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Gladstone Missouri Parks and Recreation director says it takes four squirrel attacks to close a trail and there have only been three [Scary]
[link] [21 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The Grossest 'Snow' on Earth
Marine snow is made of just about anything—except water. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Baltimore police try to improve their image by hanging up a sign reading "Enjoy your ride" inside a police van [Followup]
[link] [96 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Adventurer gets to check item off his bucket list: Survive Arctic winter in a broken down 1977 Dodge Van [Spiffy]
[link] [44 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 15 Fun Facts About 'The Powerpuff Girls'
The hit Cartoon Network series is readying for a reboot. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Medical tip – A licensed dentist doesn't wash his instruments in your bathroom [Dumbass]
[link] [26 comments] [Link]
Futility Closet » Truth and Fiction
In Lillian Hellman’s 1973 memoir Pentimento, she describes a childhood friend whom she calls “Julia” who became active in the Austrian underground during World War II. The book was made into the Oscar-winning 1977 film Julia, starring Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave. But after the book appeared, readers noticed something peculiar. Julia strongly resembled a real person, Muriel Gardiner, a … [Link]
Mental Floss » What Exactly is American Cheese?
When we think of American cheese, we think about that ooey-gooey goodness melted in a fresh-off-the-skillet grilled cheese. Those individually packaged bright orange edible sheets are as American as the 4th of July and apple pie. It’s perfect in its simplicity…but what exactly is it? American cheese—the kind you get in the individual plastic wrappers—is processed cheese or “cheese food,” … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Fellatio deficiency? [Followup]
[link] [76 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Russian lawmakers are considering a law that will grant gender equality (to be shot at by police) [Hero]
[link] [74 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this F-16 selfie over Norway [Photoshop]
[link] [34 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Man commits suicide by jumping in front of carnival ride. Officials say he just kept jumping in front of the horsie every time it came around until it worked [Sad]
[link] [60 comments] [Link]
Weird Universe » Frog Fancier
Archie Beesley, frog fancier, liked to eat them live. Just like oysters, he said, they helped with "cleaning out the stomach."
Source: The Ottawa Journal — Jul 15, 1970 [Link]
Mental Floss » 20 Bob Ross Quotes to Make Life Better
The painter was unrivaled in his ability to spout verbal poetry faster than it took to paint one of those happy little clouds. [Link]
FMyLife » Bart says FML
Today, our company was being visited by one of our biggest clients, a rich Japanese businessman. My boss wanted to honour him by welcoming him while wearing a kimono in the reception area of our building. The client was in a suit and tie, and I don't think he'll be back. FML [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, while swimming in my neighborhood pool, I noticed what looked like several cigarettes resting at the bottom and decided to investigate. Turns out it was actually just a used, bloody tampon that had spent enough time underwater to be broken into multiple pieces, and spread across the pool. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Set to start in about two weeks, here are the top 8 conspiracy theories about what Jade Helm really is. Pick your favorite, or come up with a convincing one of your own [Stupid]
[link] [153 comments] [Link]
Weird Universe » The Plot to Steal Abe Lincoln’s Corpse
Once upon a time, some crooks thought it would be a good idea to rob the grave of Abe Lincoln and hold the corpse for ransom.
One account here.
More detailed account here. [Link]
Mental Floss » A New Study Suggests 'Yuppie Flu' Is Real—And We Can Treat It
Norwegian researchers think chronic fatigue syndrome may be caused by antibodies produced to fight off infection. [Link]
Mental Floss » "Let-" Us Play More
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Meanwhile, in Venezuela: EVERYBODY PANIC [Scary]
[link] [64 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » That awkward moment when you mistake a meditating person for a terrorist [Facepalm]
[link] [67 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » How Music Affects Productivity
Lots of people listen to music when doing work, especially when the job is repetitive or boring. It's commonly believed that music can actually make you more productive, but is that true? Sparring Mind's Gregory Ciotti and Superfi teamed up to make an infographic looking into the science. 
[Link]
Mental Floss » Morning Cup of Links: American Flag in LEGO
To celebrate the opening of the Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History, LEGO built the world’s largest LEGO American flag. Museum visitors helped to assemble it.
*
The 10 Deadliest Roller Coaster Accidents. Just what you need to read about before you leave on your theme park holiday weekend getaway.
*
Celebrate Independence Day With Game of … [Link]
Mental Floss » 10 Tales of Legendary Ghost Ships
These ships still sail the seas, supposedly. [Link]
Mental Floss » George Washington, History's Only Six-Star General ( … Sort Of)
Thanks to a law passed in 1976, our nation's first president—who died more than 200 years ago—is still the military's highest-ranking official. [Link]
Mental Floss » 5 Gorgeous Old Pictures of Seashells
From a new book by the American Museum of Natural History. [Link]
GraphJam » Just Wanted to Reserve the Username
Graph by: hamsterlove Tagged: accounts , log in , online , Pie Chart Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Don't Worry, She Thinks You're Adorable
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: grandmother , impress , looking cool , Pie Chart Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Assassin's Creed: Now Educational!
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: assassins creed , history , italian , Pie Chart Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam »
Graph by: thesource Tagged: forgetfulness , hackers , malware , passwords , Pie Chart , spambots Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Apple Computer compatibility
LoL by: pirroplato Tagged: alien , apple , computers , iphone , ipod , Music , software Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Doorbells Are Always Scary
Graph by: Tarkania Tagged: Bar Graph , day , fun , Home Alone , night , sounds Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Results of Searching YouTube for my Favourite Song
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: computer , cover version , internet , rock band , search , Songs , video games , youtube Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Equation, This Is
Graph by: Regrubezeehc Tagged: equation , grammar , principle , star wars , yoda Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » You're Not Going to Try and Talk to Me About the Book of Mormon, Are You?
Graph by: itroitnyah Tagged: mormon , Pie Chart , polygamy , utah Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Fake and Gay
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: Bar Graph , fake and gay , gay , whatdoestheinternetthink Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » I Just Wanna Marry Myself
I'm clearly have the perfect personality match, and I know exactly what my needs are. Graph by: (via Ariah Fine) Tagged: gay rights , marriage , traditional Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » And I Will Never Cook Something That Looks That Delicious
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: cooking , food , Food Network , hungry , Pie Chart Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Replotted: Like Led Zeppelin, Except Opposite
Graph by: Cineris Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Hello Freshman Fifteen!
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: exams , Pie Chart , snacks , studying Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » It's Hard To Believe It's Only Been a Year
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: christmas , christmas tree , lights , Pie Chart , spiders Share on Facebook
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » ISIS now sets its sights on Egypt's pyramids and sphinx. Mummy, I'm scared [Asinine]
[link] [186 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Welcome All Creeds, All Breeds—to Dog Chapel
They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth, but man’s best friend would probably enjoy frolicking on Dog Mountain a little bit more. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Marijuana-related expulsions skyrocket in Grand Junction, Colorado after marijuana legalization. Just kidding, they now have the lowest number of expulsions the school district has had in at least a decade [Spiffy]
[link] [49 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » So, uh… researchers can't exactly track all of those collared wolves in Yellowstone right now because they kind of lost the licenses to those frequencies. Sleep tight [Scary]
[link] [56 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 10 Things You Should Know About the U.S. Postal Service
Snail mail doesn’t sound thrilling, but the United States Postal Service is anything but boring. Here are a few facts about the letter carriers in your life. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Man walks into airport with $75k in a duffel bag. TSA reports seizing $70k "because reasons," tweets out picture of $65k, and turns $60k over to a random Federal agency because, again, reasons. Welcome to the Land of the Free [Murica]
[link] [166 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Man frustrated with trying to get his dead wife's tax refund check says "Now, I know why people shoot up places like this." Well, that's one way to get a quick response from the IRS [Florida]
[link] [55 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » soo says FML
Today, a guest at the hotel I work at started shouting at me. Apparently the street vendor selling sunglasses outside the hotel sold her a pair of 'genuine' Ray Bans for $5. She wanted me to phone the police because she realized two days later they were fake. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Residents in a California suburb conserved so much more water than expected that the city had to throw away the excess [Fail]
[link] [56 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » This is the Brain of the Man Who Shot James A. Garfield
On July 2, 1881, President James A. Garfield was about to board a train at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. when Charles Guiteau stepped behind him. The failed lawyer, newspaperman, and evangelist—enraged that the President’s advisors had refused him an ambassadorship he believed he deserved, and, as he had written the night before, to “unite the … [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Dog saves Mount Dora family from fire, which was believed to have been started by a dastardly fox seeking revenge on the girl inside [Florida]
[link] [35 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » This Lizard Changes Sex Based On Temperature, and Becomes Extra Fertile
The hotter it is, the more likely bearded dragons are to hatch female—regardless of their chromosomal compositions. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Girls, don't become like a sticky note that's been stuck to too many places and gets unsticky by getting stuck too often or you won't be able to stick by your man, because chemistry [Asinine]
[link] [97 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » I'm an adult! says FML
Today, I told my parents I'm pregnant. I got a long lecture from my mom about using protection. It would have been fine hearing all that, but I'm turning 22, I've been moved out for a few years, have a full time job with great benefits, and am getting married next summer. FML [Link]
FMyLife » Deaf says FML
Today, I was sent to the principal's office because I refused to take my earbuds out. Those "earbuds" are my hearing aids. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Yes, there's a world of difference between flying a plane unarmed, and flying a plane UNARMED [Spiffy]
[link] [21 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 7 Women Who Rocked Currency
Here are a few women of (bank)note who made history. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Man goes to LAX in hopes of getting a CAT Scan [Weird]
[link] [20 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » So you want to be a counterfeiter. Do you fake: a) $100 bills, b) designer handbags, or c) popsicle sticks? [Silly]
[link] [18 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » _whyy_mee says FML
Today, my neighbor yelled at me for driving recklessly. I was going 35 mph, and she was stopped in the middle of a road around a blind curve. My "reckless driving" was slamming on the brakes so I wouldn't hit her. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » 3D-Printed Furniture Can Now Be Yours
French startup Drawn is raising money on Kickstarter to bring its plastic printed furniture to the rest of the world. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Burglary suspect appears before judge for bond hearing, who remembers him as her classmate from middle school (with video) [Awkward]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Build a Working Computer From Thread Spools, Screws, and … Paper Clips?
This 1960s guide breaks it down. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Confessions of a submariner: "Forget The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide. If you want to know what it's like on a submarine, watch Down Periscope" [Interesting]
[link] [120 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » CNN reports that mass killings are contagious for about 13 days. Unsurprisingly, this is about the same length of time CNN covers these kinds of stories [Obvious]
[link] [28 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » United Airlines Will Soon Start Using Biofuel
United Airlines will soon start incorporating biofuel into their overall fuel supply. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Don't you hate it when you finally get around to checking your bills, and find out you owe fifty billion more than you thought? [Scary]
[link] [52 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Harry Potter's Sorting Hat is Right in Real Life, Too
In real life, Ravenclaws really are smart, and Slytherins are as shady as we thought. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » First US death from measles in twelve years is a woman who had a weakened immune system. We can't blame the anti-vaxxers for certain, but we can connect the dots [Sad]
[link] [45 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 15 High-Flying Facts About 'Airplane!'
It has been 35 years since someone not named Shirley took offense at being called Shirley. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Despite his best efforts, Jim Carrey contributed something positive to autism awareness [Interesting]
[link] [39 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » After two years of trying to get his two black labs to fetch with no results, man finally realizes they're two black bears [Weird]
[link] [44 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop theme: A day at the beach [Photoshop]
[link] [21 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The Tour Triangle Will Change the Parisian Skyline
Unlike New York City, where skyscrapers stand tall and cast shadows over the surrounding buildings, Paris has remained fairly tall-tower free. But on June 30, a 590-foot tall building proposal by famed Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron was approved, marking the end of a decades-long ban on skyscrapers. [Link]
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