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 » Fire crews claim victory over three-alarm fire full of explosions and explosion accessories [Scary]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 13 Fascinating Facts About ‘The Thing’
It took a while for audiences to warm up to John Carpenter's now-classic horror flick. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » When a CEO steps down as quickly as United's Jeff Smisek, he either farked a subordinate or federal criminal investigators are closing in. Fortunately for Mrs. Smisek there is no nubile intern involved. Unfortunately for stock holders, however…
[link] [80 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Why is the Sky Blue?
Kids ask a lot of questions. mental_floss has answers. Here's the next story in WHY?, our new science-based series for kids (and parents!). [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Surfer breaks neck in four places. Dude, why did you even go to the other three? [Scary]
[link] [29 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » National Geographic to change format to science fiction [Sad]
[link] [120 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » This Robot Assassin Delivers Lethal Injections to Reef-Eating Starfish
Meet the Terminator of the Great Barrier Reef. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Woman arrested for attacking an officer of the law with a bayonet. This is not a repeat from 1776 [Strange]
[link] [32 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Hay, that bale is about to fall right on me [Scary]
[link] [27 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Would you pay $10,000 for whale puke? [Strange]
[link] [42 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The Time Archaeologists Threw a Giant Party to Prove a Theory
In a recent "experimental archaeology" project, archaeologists partied like it was the Stone Age. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Allowing 14 year olds to anonymously submit questions live on the big screen during school assembly goes about as weHITLER WAS AN OK GUY [Fail]
[link] [124 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » That recently re-discovered "Nazi gold train" that has been making news lately may only be stuffed to the gills with artwork, diamonds and precious gems, its discoverers warn [Followup]
[link] [72 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » PSA: Remember, when you masturbate, you masturbate with Ebola [Sick]
[link] [41 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 10 Star-Crossed Facts About 'West Side Story'
After this daring musical made its Big Apple debut in September 1957, critics reacted as if an atomic bomb had gone off over Manhattan. [Link]
Mental Floss » What Were We Thinking? The Top 10 Most Dangerous Ads
While some faulty campaigns were merely the victims of evolving scientific knowledge, many blatantly ignored facts. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » University of Pennsylvania psychotherapist says "the Internet is like your brain on porn." I must do more research on the subject [Interesting]
[link] [56 comments] [Link]
The Onion » American Voices: Queen Breaks Record For Longest Reign
Queen Elizabeth II has just surpassed Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history, breaking the previous record of 63 years, seven months, and two days on the throne. What do you think?
[Link]
Mental Floss » The Missing Links: Recapping Colbert
If you missed Colbert’s debut last night, here are a bunch of clips to get you up to speed. * Intriguing Headline of the Day: Pile of Whale Puke Will Auction for Upwards of $10,000 * With a little crafty editing, Seinfeld can become the very dramatic tale of a man dealing with lost love. * The Smithsonian is restoring … [Link]
The Onion » Sports News in Brief: Panicking Tom Brady Unable To Stop Smirking Since Suspension Overturned
FOXBOROUGH, MA—A full week after a federal judge overturned his four-game NFL suspension, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady noted with alarm Wednesday that he has been physically unable to stop smirking since the court’s ruling. “I was obviously really happy when I heard the judge’s decision, but it’s seven days later and all the muscles in my face are … [Link]
The Onion » News in Brief: Study Finds Earth’s Animals One Giant Creature Before Breaking Apart Millions Of Years Ago
STATE COLLEGE, PA—Offering insight into our planet’s ecological past, a study released Tuesday by researchers at Penn State University found that Earth’s animals were once a single giant creature before breaking apart roughly 175 million years ago. “After reviewing extensive fossil records, we determined that a massive ‘super-animal’ once roamed the planet, but began to fracture at some point during … [Link]
Weird Universe » The Case of the Allergic Bride
My latest about.com article:
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this expose [Photoshop]
[link] [24 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The World's Largest Hammock Is in New Jersey and It's Gigantic
The Garden State hammock can hold you, and about 170 of your friends. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Never bring a machete to a forklift fight [Amusing]
[link] [37 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Study shows half of all Americans are diabetic or pre-diabetic. The other half were too busy stuffing their faces with pizza, fried chicken, and Oreos to participate [Murica]
[link] [151 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Tiny Embroidered Patches Mingle With Iconic Shirt Logos
Your shirt's logo just got a lot more exciting. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Scratch and sniff rings, because who doesn't want to be seen scratching at and sniffing their knuckles? [Weird]
[link] [28 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Desperate Yemeni refugees fleeing to the safety, stability, and prosperity of Somalia [Sad]
[link] [27 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 33 Unusual Old Remedies
On this week's List Show, John Green discusses some of the weird ways people used to try to heal themselves. [Link]
Mental Floss » Malta's Megalithic Temples are Spectacular
A thousand years before Stonehenge, the Maltese were building some of the most epic monuments on the planet. [Link]
Mental Floss » How Do Britain's Two Longest-Reigning Monarchs Compare?
[Link]
Mental Floss » "Pinky" the Rare Pink Dolphin Spotted Again in Louisiana
No need to get your vision checked: Pinky is real, she's rose-colored, and she's adorable. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » …because there is no better place to huff compressed air than under a clothing rack at Walmart [Strange]
[link] [93 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » StillLoveMyDogs says FML
Today, I went to reach for a long piece of lint next to my dryer. It was a snake. FML [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, I caught two kids passing notes to each other in my class, so I told them to see me afterwards. When one of the kids eventually came up, I noticed he was crying. He looked up at me and sobbed out, "I was trying to make my first friend!" FML [Link]
FMyLife » supersplatoon says FML
Today, I was walking down the street when someone started yelling at me, saying I was dead. I bolted, ran into a pole and when they caught up to me, said "Oh, wrong person." and walked off, leaving me bruised on the ground. FML [Link]
Futility Closet » A Grave Irony
“I have seen a thousand graves opened, and always perceived that whatever was gone, the teeth and the hair remained of those who had died with them. Is this not odd? They go the very first things in youth and yet last the longest in the dust.” — Lord Byron, letter to John Murray, Nov. 18, 1820 Please support Futility … [Link]
FMyLife » davetherave1983 says FML
Today, after carefully, and might I say, expertly removing all the hair from my girlfriend's genitals, she decided to try and "Nair" my balls. 24 hours later and I still can't walk properly and my balls look like they were involved in a severe kitchen incident. FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Tennessee Supreme Court will reconsider whether touching a white line on the road justifies a pretext stop [Interesting]
[link] [200 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 14 Real Facts About Snapple
Fact #647: Its name is a portmanteau. [Link]
Mental Floss » 12 Hopscotchy Facts About 'The BFG'
Learn more about Sophie and her adventure in the "propsposterous" Giant Country. [Link]
Mental Floss » Pick the Characters From Each Disney Movie
Take the quiz! [Link]
Fark.com RSS » With temperatures in the 90s, New Jersey school district declares a snow day [Strange]
[link] [77 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » "Congratulations on the sex" [Giggity]
[link] [62 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Month-old girl does something most college kids never achieve – hits a 0.294 on the blood alcohol meter. #ThanksMom [Dumbass]
[link] [68 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Yes, You Can Still Return That Overdue Library Book 34 Years Later
A student held onto a book from her Virginia high school's library for more than three decades. [Link]
Mental Floss » Time for Some Mental Hygiene: Introducing the mental_floss Weekly Puzzle
Looking for a mid-morning pick-me-up? You've come to the right place. [Link]
FMyLife » :'( says FML
Today, I was let go from my dream job for requesting Photoshop as well as Illustrator. I was hired to create marketing materials. Guess I should have just used Paint. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » The Evolution of ‘Two’ in the Indo-European Language Family
Once you see it laid out like this, it doesn’t take much to put *dwóh and *dwóh together. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Sand people taking potshots at motorists on Arizona stretch of I-10 [Scary]
[link] [144 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » World's Largest Biker Bar is now World's Largest Pile of Ash [Sad]
[link] [112 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Ever since Uncle Sam started lending money to college students, college tuition has skyrocketed. Coincidence? [Obvious]
[link] [240 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » The Association of Time Travellers has postponed this week's meeting to yesterday [Strange]
[link] [90 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 13 Fun Facts About 'Pinky and the Brain'
They never did take over the world. But two genetically enhanced cartoon mice managed to get a spinoff, which premiered 20 years ago. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » 12pm: 10,000 free tickets to see the Pope at Independence Hall become available online. 12:02pm: All tickets are gone. 12:05pm: Tickets now available on Craigslist for $500 [Obvious]
[link] [123 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » Doesn't Matter Had Sex says FML
Today, I had sex with this guy. His dad came upstairs and poked his head through the door right after we had finished, but were still naked in bed. All he said was, "No twins," and walked off. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » Why Does Coffee Make You Poop?
We don’t entirely know why a third of the population runs to the bathroom immediately after finishing their coffee. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Protip: If you are going to burn down an apartment building, try not to get caught on the surveillance video carrying a gas can [Dumbass]
[link] [28 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » Mrs. Ned says FML
Today, I walked in on my husband having sex with the shower wall. When I got in the shower with him he immediately went soft. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » Counterfeit Chocolate: Not Just A Thing of the Past
The Aztecs had a market for counterfeit cacao beans, but so do some modern-day chocolatiers. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Teacher traded lollipops for massages. This is not a euphemism [Florida]
[link] [45 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Pawpaws: The Sweet, Succulent Fruit You've Never Heard Of
A new book explores the history, culture, and origins of the curiously-named treat. [Link]
Mental Floss » Winter is Coming, and So is a 'Game of Thrones' Pinball Machine
The HBO-inspired arcade game is now available for pre-order. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this tight formation [Photoshop]
[link] [32 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » United States is slow to accept refugees from Syria, because that whole "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" thing is not so much in practice anymore [Sick]
[link] [454 comments] [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymous says FML
Today, I told my boyfriend about how I'm self-conscious about my B-cup breasts. About 20 minutes later, he pointed to another girl with a small chest and said, "See, you're not the only one with small tits!" FML [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Writer who does not identify with male or female gender removes breasts and uterus. "'It felt bizarre knowing that the last interaction with my breasts anyone would have was a middle-aged manly surgeon drawing on me" [Interesting]
[link] [294 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » 'Liz-a-beth, is my Queen. E-liz-a-beth, E-liz-a-beth. 'Liz-a-beth, 'Liz-a-beth [Spiffy]
[link] [87 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 5 Game-Changing Mobile Health Devices
Medical gadgets that used to seem like science fiction are becoming reality. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Responsible gun owner grabs his rifle and successfully detains a prowler on his property until the authorities could arrest him. Just kidding. He got into a scuffle with the prowler and accidentally shot himself in the leg [Murica]
[link] [201 comments] [Link]
Weird Universe » 2-Star Review
Truth in advertising. A poster for the new movie Legend, starring Tom Hardy, prominently displays the fact that the reviewer for the Guardian gave it only a two-star review.
The reviewer reacts on Twitter:
Incredible way of making my two star review seem like I didn't hate the film pic.twitter.com/zvOyIxHQ3h— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) September 8, 2015 [Link]
Weird Universe » Climate Change Coke
As our poor abused planet whipsaws between extreme cold and extreme heat on a minute-to-minute schedule, only Coke can help soothe our pain. The "melting glacier" allegory at the end is effective, albeit unsubtle. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Stop. Hammer crime [Scary]
[link] [45 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Although it's much more fun to wrap yourself up in faux outrage, in reality there's a very good reason why all the refugees in Europe all have smart phones and selfie sticks [Interesting]
[link] [204 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » What It's Like to Be a Professional Cat Portraitist
A short documentary follows photographer Larry Johnson to a New Jersey cat show. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Don't tell mom the babysitter shot me [Scary]
[link] [31 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Office Space
[Link]
Mental Floss » Learn Geography Terms With This Gorgeous Antique Map
A visual aid for those of us who never learned the difference between a channel and a strait. [Link]
Mental Floss » Dig These Animated Tributes to René Magritte
Surrealist artist René Magritte passed away before the invention of the GIF, but it's fun to think what he could do with the format. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » 911: "What's your emergency?" Woman: "There's a black widow spider in my grapes" 911: "Just kill it" [Scary]
[link] [83 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Now that's just a cruel thing to do to your cheating boyfriend; selling his "Batmobile" on Craigslist as retribution for his infidelity. CRUEL [Amusing]
[link] [87 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » What catches fire in Vegas stays in Vegas [Scary]
[link] [49 comments] [Link]
GraphJam » The Serenity Prayer as a Flow Chart
Graph by: cricker63501 Tagged: change , courage , difference , flow chart , grant me , look it up , Serenity Prayer , wisdom Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Chances of Gregory House, M.D. diagnosing a patient
Graph by: mustangjen Tagged: Blood , chance , diagnosis , ecg , ekg , epiphany , Gregory House , House MD , hugh laurie , irrelevant , MRI , Pie Chart , test , TV , urine Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Maybe It Will Do Something This Time
Graph by: eebootwo Tagged: fish , magikarp , Pie Chart , Pokémon , splash Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » QQ, Muggle
Graph by: (via Pleated-Jeans) Tagged: Harry Potter , muggle , QQ Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » What You See Is What You Get
Graph by: (via The Nerdvana) Tagged: amazing , infographic , ladyfunbags , people , same goes for Bob with moobs , sandbags , women Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Components of Scooby-Doo Episode
Graph by: geeill Tagged: animation , chase , real estate , scared , scooby doo , shaggy Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » At Least It's an Excuse to Drink Heavily
Graph by: (via Happy Place) Tagged: Pie Chart , relaxation , stress , time , vacation , work Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam »
Graph by: Unknown Tagged: math is hard , Minesweeper , Pie Chart , star wars Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Art of Trolling: Nothing, Nothing, and More Nothing
Trolling is a art. Graph by: Unknown Tagged: australia , best of week , continent , country , Maps Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » I Think You Mean Greater Than?
Graph by: SilverSunlight Tagged: age , birthday , greater than , intelligence , less than , Line Graph , math Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » Me Gusta Salsa
Graph by: brookiecookie1009 Tagged: chips , me gusta , Memes , Mexican , Pie Chart , restaurants , salsa Share on Facebook
[Link]
GraphJam » What Texting is Used For (According to the Media)
Graph by: Icanhasfailpics Tagged: affairs , bullying , communication , extramarital , legitimate , Media , Pie Chart , pre teen , sexting , texting Share on Facebook
[Link]
Mental Floss » The 6 Dirtiest Places in Airplanes and Airports
Surprisingly, bathrooms were actually cleaner than many other places. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Thieves strip parts from police anti-theft bike. It's the cycle of life [Obvious]
[link] [20 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Carnival cruise ship suffers engine fire, stranding 4,500 passengers and crew in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The bigger news is that there were actually that many people willing to board a Carnival cruise ship [Fail]
[link] [58 comments] [Link]
The Onion » News in Brief: Mom Keeping Tabs On Coyote Situation
WAYZATA, MN—Regularly updating her husband and children on the frequency and location of sightings around the neighborhood, local mother Dana Salisbury continued to keep close tabs on the coyote situation this week, sources confirmed. “I saw on the television how more people have been seeing coyotes in our neck of the woods, and then just the other day Kevin and … [Link]
Mental Floss » How Portraits of Mosquitoes Could Lead to Better Malaria Protection
Researchers set up infrared imaging to see how the mosquitoes interact with mosquito nets in the hopes of designing better defenses against the malaria-carrying bugs. [Link]
Mental Floss » The Boy Who Saved Batman
A 14-year-old comic book fan from New Jersey, and the dream he wouldn't let die. [Link]
Futility Closet » In a Word
ditation
n. enrichment improficuous
adj. unprofitable Another puzzle by Yakov Perelman: “Two fathers gave their two sons some money. One gave his son 150 rubles and the other 100 rubles. When the two sons counted their finances, they found that together they had become richer by only 150 rubles. What is the explanation?” Click for solution … Please support Futility … [Link]
FMyLife » Anonymoose says FML
Today, I found out I wasn't cool enough to be invited to a college party that happened last night. The one in charge of inviting people was my girlfriend of two years. FML [Link]
Mental Floss » Vikings May Have Settled Greenland for Walrus Tusks
The Vikings appear to have made a killing selling walrus ivory on the European market. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Scientists plan to reanimate a 30,000-year-old giant virus that has been found preserved in the frozen wastelands of Siberia, because why not? [Interesting]
[link] [127 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Man named King busted at Burger King for playing with his whopper (w/ awesome mugshot) [Florida]
[link] [57 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » 11 Scientific Benefits of Taking Adventurous Vacations
While lounging by the beach sipping drinks with little umbrellas can be fantastic, a more active, adventurous vacation can actually do more to improve your quality of life. [Link]
The Onion » News in Brief: Romantic Gesture Too Expensive To Waste On Current Girlfriend
HARRISBURG, PA—Claiming that the price of the incredible idea far exceeded his emotional investment in his relationship, local man Alex Ramsey said Wednesday that an extravagant romantic gesture he has in mind is too expensive to waste on his current girlfriend. “I can’t wait to finally surprise someone special with a trip to Paris, but I just don’t think Sarah’s … [Link]
The Onion » News in Brief: Pathetic 4-Year-Old Needs Father To Stand On Merry-Go-Round Platform For Entire Ride
SARATOGA, NY—Completely embarrassing himself in front of dozens of visitors to the park as well as his fellow riders, pathetic 4-year-old Jeremy Tufts reportedly needed his father to stand right next to him on the merry-go-round platform for the entire duration of the ride Wednesday. “It’s unbelievable that this kid can’t even handle just sitting there while the carousel spins … [Link]
The Onion » Graphical Feature: Sex Ed Vs. Abstinence-Only Education
[Link]
The Onion » American Voices: More Teens Trying To ‘Vape’ Marijuana
A study of Connecticut teens revealed that 1 in 5 high schoolers who use e-cigarettes have tried smoking marijuana out of the device, a practice that could put them at risk of inhaling too high a concentration of THC and harming the brain. What do you think?
[Link]
Fark.com RSS » These guys are so grounded [Scary]
[link] [46 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Tower, this is Piper Cherokee requesting a flyby [Cool]
[link] [63 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » WWI Centennial: London Bombed, Lenin Calls for Revolution
The First World War was an unprecedented catastrophe that shaped our modern world. Erik Sass is covering the events of the war exactly 100 years after they happened. This is the 200th installment in the series. September 8, 1915: London Bombed, Lenin Calls for Revolution Compared to the carnage on the Western Front, where the British body count was already … [Link]
Mental Floss » 'The Goonies' to Become an Immersive Theater Show
As close as you'll ever get to adventuring with Mikey, Mouth, Chunk, Data and Sloth. [Link]
Mental Floss » Berlin Has a Zero-Waste Grocery Store
This retailer eschews brand names and unnecessary packaging. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Dude, hobo spider is not the preferred nomenclature. Migratory spider, please [Creepy]
[link] [73 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » The Exclusive Caves of Lava Beds National Monument
Only a few dozen people each year are granted access to some of the most unique caves on Earth. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Australian survives Australia, gets killed by nature in Norway [Ironic]
[link] [66 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Charlie Chaplin Made a Short Film About Photobombing in 1914
Charlie Chaplin satirized the practice of photobombing over a century ago [Link]
Mental Floss » The Book That Promises to Put Your Kids to Sleep in Minutes
'The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep' uses a variety of techniques to get children to fall asleep quickly. [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Apparently this chicken crossed San Francisco's Bay Bridge to get to live her days out at a East Oakland school and be renamed after female freedom fighter Alice Paul [Weird]
[link] [25 comments] [Link]
Fark.com RSS » What's safer than alcohol and prescription drugs for your anxiety and depression? No man, not that. This [Cool]
[link] [115 comments] [Link]
Mental Floss » Pick the Correct Word for Each Definition
Take the quiz! [Link]
Mental Floss » Get the October Issue of mental_floss Magazine For Free!
Interested in Batman, Mr. McFeely or the Muppets? Then you'll want to check out the October issue of mental_floss magazine! [Link]
Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this sand jumper [Photoshop]
[link] [18 comments] [Link]
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