Whittle It a Little, It’ll Fit

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 » 'Merica and Christopher Columbus: it's complicated [Interesting]

Monday 10 October 23:35:27 UTC 2016

[link] [82 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Florida victims of Hurricane Matthew complain about price gouging by businesses, until they realize that being charged $7 for a churro at Disney World is the everyday price [Followup]

Monday 10 October 23:25:14 UTC 2016

[link] [106 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » The Terrifying Subliminal Image Hidden in 'The Exorcist'

Monday 10 October 23:00:00 UTC 2016

An eerie white face appears so fast that your eye might not register it. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Man accused of pressure washing two dogs: "Oh, I'm from California and I don't know any better" [Sick]

Monday 10 October 22:20:06 UTC 2016

[link] [71 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Alex Jones can confirm through high up folks that Obama and Hillary are actual demons from hell who both smell like sulfur [Obvious]

Monday 10 October 21:46:45 UTC 2016

[link] [133 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » The Gig Economy Works for Those Who Don't Want a Traditional Job

Monday 10 October 21:30:00 UTC 2016

The traditional 9-to-5 office job is no longer a given for many Americans and Europeans. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » There's intoxicated, there's REALLY intoxicated, and then there's "performing yoga while naked on top of a police car" intoxicated [Amusing]

Monday 10 October 21:16:45 UTC 2016

[link] [37 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Amateur Engineer Transforms Helicopter Into Floating Racecar

Monday 10 October 21:00:00 UTC 2016

It's called the "Racecopter." [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Summiting Scotland's Ben Nevis mountain provides a sense of accomplishment, a great view, and occasionally a vibrator (Not safe for work image in article) [Amusing]

Monday 10 October 20:50:05 UTC 2016

[link] [33 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » New Law Aims to Transform Paris Into an Urban Jungle

Monday 10 October 20:30:00 UTC 2016

Citizens are encouraged to grow gardens on walls, fences, and rooftops. [Link]

Mental Floss » Identify the Movie Characters From Their Introductions

Monday 10 October 20:08:47 UTC 2016

Take the quiz! [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this group of funnily dressed armed Germans [Photoshop]

Monday 10 October 20:00:01 UTC 2016

[link] [21 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 5 Ways to Prepare for Old Age When You're Young

Monday 10 October 20:00:00 UTC 2016

It’s not fun to prepare for the inevitable, but it’s important—and you don’t need to be over 60 to start planning. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » When Californians go to the polls on November 8 to vote on legalizing marijuana for recreational use, many of the state's licensed pot farmers will vote against it. Here's why [Interesting]

Monday 10 October 19:50:05 UTC 2016

[link] [183 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Start the Week Right With Monday's Best Amazon Deals

Monday 10 October 19:29:40 UTC 2016

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting! [Link]

Fark.com RSS » When held at crotch level, nearly any turtle can become a snapper [Dumbass]

Monday 10 October 19:20:06 UTC 2016

[link] [56 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » How Does a Breathalyzer Work?

Monday 10 October 19:12:21 UTC 2016

There's no way to trick these smart little devices. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Sheriff denies using a seized car on a personal joyride, refuses to answer how the car racked up 56,000 miles and refused to release information despite an order to do so under Freedom of Information Act [Murica]

Monday 10 October 18:20:06 UTC 2016

[link] [139 comments] [Link]

Futility Closet » In a Word

Monday 10 October 18:15:44 UTC 2016

contesserate
adj. leagued together in friendship onerary
adj. suitable for carrying a burden sciscitation
n. questioning panier de crabes
n. a dangerously controversial topic (literally, “basket of crabs”) [Link]

Mental Floss » Lookups of 'Lepo' Spiked During Debate Discussion of Aleppo

Monday 10 October 18:07:12 UTC 2016

During last night's debate, the candidates were asked what they would do about the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian city of Aleppo. [Link]

Mental Floss » 14 Fun Halloween Costumes for Babies

Monday 10 October 18:00:00 UTC 2016

Your baby’s first Halloween is a wonderful introduction to the world of dress-up. [Link]

Mental Floss » Emoji Movie to Feature Talking Poop

Monday 10 October 17:30:00 UTC 2016

And it has eyebrows. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Naked motorcyclist leads police on chase in the Czech Republic. May face charges, but at least he was wearing a helmet [Weird]

Monday 10 October 16:41:10 UTC 2016

[link] [40 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Longtime photoshopper Herr Docktor Heinrich Wisenheimer has passed on. In his memory, photoshop where he is now and what he is currently doing [Photoshop]

Monday 10 October 16:30:01 UTC 2016

[link] [107 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 8 Rescue Dogs Who Became Stars

Monday 10 October 16:00:00 UTC 2016

No—you're crying! [Link]

Mental Floss » Hurricane Matthew Uncovers Civil War Cannonballs in South Carolina

Monday 10 October 15:30:00 UTC 2016

They were detonated shortly after the discovery. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Fark Store Daily Deal: Drone bird with controller app. Looks kind of… angry. (Sponsored Link) [Plug]

Monday 10 October 15:27:28 UTC 2016

[link] [5 comments] [Link]

Weird Universe » The Fasting Minister of Memphis

Monday 10 October 15:21:40 UTC 2016

Episcopal minister Israel Harding Noe of Memphis, Tennesse had an odd career.

He first made the news in 1931 when his wife sued him for divorce, claiming that he had attained "such a state of spiritual perfection" that he had lost all interest in her. In other words, he had decided to embrace celibacy. The two eventually reconciled, which is … [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Spy pigeons caught before they could plot coo, the first campaign ads for Giant Meteor 2016, and smokin' ain't allowed in schools: a few of Fark's favorite Headlines of the Week for 10/2 – 10/8 [FarkBlog]

Monday 10 October 15:19:04 UTC 2016

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Fark.com RSS » The hottest Halloween costume this year is … dressing as a Tinder profile? [Weird]

Monday 10 October 15:07:12 UTC 2016

[link] [35 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Half-cat woman has giant hairball removed from stomach. Also, two field mice and a baby raccoon [Weird]

Monday 10 October 14:33:00 UTC 2016

[link] [52 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Humans Have Already Killed 26 Panamanian Jaguars This Year

Monday 10 October 14:30:00 UTC 2016

Shrinking territory has forced the big cats into close quarters with humans and livestock. [Link]

Mental Floss » 10 Literary References in Cartoons You Might Have Missed

Monday 10 October 14:00:00 UTC 2016

Did you know 'Steven Universe' has almost the same plot as 'A Wrinkle in Time'? [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Ex-Formula One technician jailed. This is what happens when you put cocaine down your underpants, people [Followup]

Monday 10 October 13:50:05 UTC 2016

[link] [39 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this 747 dropping some fluids [Photoshop]

Monday 10 October 13:00:01 UTC 2016

[link] [30 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Animated Game Seeks to Keep a Dying Aboriginal Language Alive

Monday 10 October 13:00:00 UTC 2016

Players move the game forward with each word they learn. [Link]

Futility Closet » Podcast Episode 125: The Campden Wonder

Monday 10 October 12:28:55 UTC 2016

Image: Wikimedia Commons
When William Harrison disappeared from Campden, England, in 1660, his servant offered an incredible explanation: that he and his family had murdered him. The events that followed only proved the situation to be even more bizarre. In this week’s episode of the Futility Closet podcast we’ll describe “the Campden wonder,” an enigma that has eluded explanation for more … [Link]

Mental Floss » 13 Freshly Cut Facts About John Deere

Monday 10 October 12:00:00 UTC 2016

Its first logo featured a deer native to Africa. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » U.S. campaign against Columbus Day is growing in many cities, although most Americans aren't sure if they want to replace it with a day honoring Cleveland, Cincinnati or Dayton [Awkward]

Monday 10 October 11:50:06 UTC 2016

[link] [234 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » One of the last USS Arizona survivors of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack has died at age 94. He truly was somebody that fits the tag [Hero]

Monday 10 October 11:47:31 UTC 2016

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Fark.com RSS » To like a food that you think is gross, you just need to eat it somewhere else [Strange]

Monday 10 October 11:07:49 UTC 2016

[link] [59 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 5 Questions: John Lennon

Monday 10 October 10:45:00 UTC 2016

[Link]

FMyLife » caitywebbkid says FML

Monday 10 October 10:16:53 UTC 2016

Today, while at my job as a lifeguard, a little girl got stuck in the shower cubicle because the lock wouldn't open. To get her out, I had to lift the door off the hinges and swing it open, a fairly safe procedure. The hinges broke, though, and I ended up hitting the girl with the door. FML [Link]

FMyLife » amandanoelle says FML

Monday 10 October 10:16:52 UTC 2016

Today, I realized how stagnant my life has become when, while eating some leftover salad with crackers I'd left out the night before, I decided to open some new crackers and put them with the stale, and giggled to myself about the excitement of "cracker roulette." FML [Link]

FMyLife » Amie89 says FML

Monday 10 October 10:16:51 UTC 2016

Today, for the sixteenth consecutive time, I'm definitely not pregnant. Nope, I'm just super bitchy, and I like really weird food. FML [Link]

Mental Floss » This Helpful Timeline Makes Moving Hassle Free

Monday 10 October 10:00:00 UTC 2016

Planning ahead can take a lot of the stress out of moving. [Link]

Weird Universe » Mystery Gadget 41

Monday 10 October 9:58:00 UTC 2016

What is the output of this machine?

The answer is here.
[Link]

Mental Floss » Morning Cup of Links: The Scariest Movie Monsters

Monday 10 October 9:00:00 UTC 2016

Here's some links for your Columbus Day websurfing. [Link]

FMyLife » TooPoorForPrivateUni says FML

Monday 10 October 7:48:59 UTC 2016

Today, I got into my dream university. I also got turned down for the scholarship and the loan that would enable me to actually go. FML [Link]

Mental Floss » Why Some Artworks Fetch Ridiculously High Prices

Monday 10 October 7:00:00 UTC 2016

It's about more than just creative merit. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Town Hall debate wrapup thread #2 – Spinzone Boogaloo [Followup]

Monday 10 October 6:18:35 UTC 2016

[link] [565 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Houthi rebels fire missiles at American destroyer [News]

Monday 10 October 6:03:44 UTC 2016

[link] [113 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Ruth's Chris Steak House: For every point Michigan beats Rutgers by, we'll knock 1% off of your bill from the Sunday following the game to the next Thursday. What could possibly go wrong? [Dumbass]

Monday 10 October 5:48:00 UTC 2016

[link] [159 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Scientists Are Training Schoolchildren to Detect Health-Related BS

Monday 10 October 5:00:00 UTC 2016

A pilot program aims to teach kids to tell the difference between evidence-based medical advice and malarkey. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » After close brush with Florida, Matthew decides he likes his odds with the Bermuda Triangle. (Follow-Up tag last seen still running in opposite direction from Jim Cantore.) [Florida]

Monday 10 October 4:22:00 UTC 2016

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Fark.com RSS » Okay, but seriously, this year's Nobel Prize-winners in physics really do look like Doctor Who, David Crosby and Jerry Garcia [Followup]

Monday 10 October 2:50:12 UTC 2016

[link] [30 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » You ever wonder why so many English TV crime dramas are set in tiny English villages? "They're real-life hotbeds of "hatred, mistrust, anger, bitterness and suspicion" [Interesting]

Monday 10 October 2:47:00 UTC 2016

[link] [92 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » "I respect his kids." "She doesn't quit. She doesn't give up." Town Hall debate wrapup thread [Followup]

Monday 10 October 2:41:51 UTC 2016

[link] [1310 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Town Hall debate thread #5: There simply are no words [Live]

Monday 10 October 2:17:12 UTC 2016

[link] [633 comments] [Link]

FMyLife » Anonymous says FML

Monday 10 October 2:06:47 UTC 2016

Today, a classmate found out I have a boyfriend. He said, "Really? YOU??" FML [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Honest Abe v. Lie-ary Clinton v. Trumped Up Storytime. Town Hall debate thread #4 [Live]

Monday 10 October 1:56:21 UTC 2016

[link] [496 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » I'm rubber and you're glue. Town Hall debate thread #3 [Live]

Monday 10 October 1:30:33 UTC 2016

[link] [525 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Stress in workplaces has reached record levels as it's named the number one occupational hazard now that most of us aren't mining asbestos, working on fishing trawlers, felling timber or even going outside much any more [Obvious]

Monday 10 October 1:22:53 UTC 2016

[link] [56 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Orange Crush or Trumpster Fire? Grab your drink by the…uh, just uh, drink up. We're gonna do this live. Town Hall Debate thread #2 [Live]

Monday 10 October 1:08:48 UTC 2016

[link] [638 comments] [Link]

Weird Universe » News of the Weird (October 9, 2016)

Monday 10 October 0:16:00 UTC 2016

Lead Story

Large kidney stones typically mean eye-watering pain and sudden urinary blockage until the stone "passes" (often requiring expensive sound-wave treatment to break up a large stone). Michigan State University urologist David Wartinger told The Atlantic in September that he had recently happened … [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Photoshop these Hillbilly Handfishers [Photoshop]

Monday 10 October 0:00:01 UTC 2016

[link] [18 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » The Drill We Sent to Mars

Monday 10 October 0:00:00 UTC 2016

Curiosity has a drill on Mars. Complete with extra drill bits! [Link]

John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons