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.”

Mental Floss » 8 Products to Keep You Cozy This Winter

Thursday 9 February 23:53:08 UTC 2017

Because we don't have the luxury of hibernating from December through March. [Link]

Mental Floss » New Ultrasound Tech Captures Clearest Imaging Ever of a 20-Week-Old Fetus

Thursday 9 February 23:53:07 UTC 2017

A London-based fetal imaging research project is developing ways to screen for abnormalities earlier. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Happy Meat Day [Spiffy]

Thursday 9 February 23:47:41 UTC 2017

[link] [34 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » A Newly Discovered Photo of Harriet Tubman Is Up for Auction

Thursday 9 February 23:30:00 UTC 2017

It shows a younger version of the abolitionist than we typically see. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » A woman had to face court for parking two seconds too soon. Of course the judge threw the book at her. No, just kidding. He laughed the ticket out of court [Murica]

Thursday 9 February 23:13:24 UTC 2017

[link] [93 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Ugly ass orphan antelope named Thanos being handraised by zookeepers is too tiny to be weighed [Sappy]

Thursday 9 February 22:43:24 UTC 2017

[link] [25 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » All you can drink for less than a dollar. Difficulty : Japan [Amusing]

Thursday 9 February 22:16:44 UTC 2017

[link] [58 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 9 Unusual Items Found in Rivers Around the World

Thursday 9 February 22:00:00 UTC 2017

Including some historic weaponry, and one really, really lost crocodile. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » I'm fine, officer. Really [Spiffy]

Thursday 9 February 21:43:25 UTC 2017

[link] [47 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » The House From ‘Grey Gardens’ Is for Sale

Thursday 9 February 21:30:00 UTC 2017

For $20 million, you can score a piece of cinematic history. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Attorney for NSA contractor who stole 20 years worth of classified information from the government and hid it at his house claims he was just a hoarder. Weird tag now, Scary tag when we know what he stole [Weird]

Thursday 9 February 21:13:25 UTC 2017

[link] [51 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Photoshop these swordfighters [Photoshop]

Thursday 9 February 21:00:01 UTC 2017

[link] [18 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Farker's food bank in New Orleans is responding to the New Orleans tornadoes, the 4th major natural disaster in a year. Donation link to the left, thanks & DIT [Followup]

Thursday 9 February 20:46:45 UTC 2017

[link] [40 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » New York Is Launching a Citywide Book Club

Thursday 9 February 20:30:00 UTC 2017

All 8.5 million residents are invited to join. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Yeah, about that crunchy pasta… crickets [Interesting]

Thursday 9 February 20:20:05 UTC 2017

[link] [41 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Having mastered marijuana, Colorado is now ready for the other ingredient of Farkers' Paradise [Spiffy]

Thursday 9 February 20:20:04 UTC 2017

[link] [75 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 9 Megalomaniacal Facts About Narcissism

Thursday 9 February 20:00:00 UTC 2017

“A superiority complex always covers up an inferiority complex.” [Link]

Fark.com RSS » How do I keep spiders out of my car's side mirror? I've hosed it out, used compressed air, and made threats, but either my mirror is prime spider real estate or there's one persistent spider that keeps setting up shop there [Creepy]

Thursday 9 February 19:47:29 UTC 2017

[link] [203 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » The RV Stonehenge of Tampa Bay is being torn down. In other news, there was apparently an RV Stonehenge of Tampa Bay [Florida]

Thursday 9 February 19:34:02 UTC 2017

[link] [35 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Breaking the Mold: Kenner's Super Powers Collection

Thursday 9 February 19:30:00 UTC 2017

The mid-1980s toy line gave Superman what he always needed: a motor vehicle. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Truck hauling avocados spills load on interstate. Truckload of limes, tortilla chips, immediately dispatched to scene [Strange]

Thursday 9 February 19:20:04 UTC 2017

[link] [32 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Florida Man, "self-taught on the banking industry," caught after wiring himself seven billion dollars that Jesus wanted him to have. To be fair, he does seem to have actually learned a lot from the banking industry [Florida]

Thursday 9 February 19:14:02 UTC 2017

[link] [31 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » The F-35 dominated with a 15-1 kill ratio at Red Flag, which either means the aircraft is in better shape than we thought, or one fell off the back of a truck onto a crowd of onlookers [Interesting]

Thursday 9 February 18:54:03 UTC 2017

[link] [167 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » You Can Now Check Facebook for the Latest Weather Forecasts

Thursday 9 February 18:30:00 UTC 2017

Your weather app has some competition. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Woman sues restaurant after making a jackass of herself [Murica]

Thursday 9 February 18:19:44 UTC 2017

[link] [71 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Mississippi lawmakers getting into the whole 'Throwback Thursday' thing by introducing legislation to bring back firing squads [Asinine]

Thursday 9 February 18:04:04 UTC 2017

[link] [189 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 14 Simple Secrets of Professional Organizers

Thursday 9 February 18:00:00 UTC 2017

They’re not judging you for how much stuff you have—promise. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Dear Parent, While we appreciate that your son has a wonderful imagination and is creative, we must let you know that the imaginary friend he has created cannot be named "Wildo the Dildo." Thanks [Amusing]

Thursday 9 February 17:24:05 UTC 2017

[link] [84 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 5 Questions: Complimentary

Thursday 9 February 17:16:29 UTC 2017

[Link]

Mental Floss » 6 Things We Know About 'The OA' Season 2

Thursday 9 February 17:16:27 UTC 2017

Co-creators Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij aren’t saying much, but here's what we do know. [Link]

Mental Floss » Look Up! It's the Snow Moon Lunar Eclipse Comet Spectacular

Thursday 9 February 17:00:00 UTC 2017

A trifecta of celestial entertainment arrives tomorrow night. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Today is National Pizza Day, which honestly should be an official holiday to celebrate the best food creation in the history of mankind (not valid in Chicago) [Spiffy]

Thursday 9 February 16:46:03 UTC 2017

[link] [249 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 10 Advances in Weaponry That Changed History

Thursday 9 February 16:45:00 UTC 2017

From Greek fire to the AK-47. [Link]

Mental Floss » New IKEA Rugs Will Be Made Entirely by Syrian Refugees

Thursday 9 February 16:30:00 UTC 2017

The Swedish furniture giant is partnering with women's organizations in Jordan to provide refugees with work. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Hey East Coasters, I hope you made your run to the grocery store to stock up supplies for the great French Toast Extravaganza [Cool]

Thursday 9 February 16:20:05 UTC 2017

[link] [155 comments] [Link]

Overheard In The Office » I’ve Sacked Plenty of Clemson Graduates, Though

Thursday 9 February 16:06:22 UTC 2017

Lobbyist, accompanying CEO: Clemson football games are wonderful. Saturday afternoon games down there are great.
Staffer: Yes, they were a lot of fun.
Lobbyist, to CEO: Have you ever watched a Clemson game?
CEO, nonchalantly turning to leave: No, they never played Yale. Washington, DC [Link]

Weird Universe » Wool Nose Warmer

Thursday 9 February 15:46:46 UTC 2017

Introduced by the Hanover House mail order company in 1965.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Oct 3, 1965 [Link]

Weird Universe » Liberace Does Aquarius

Thursday 9 February 15:46:45 UTC 2017

[Link]

Mental Floss » The Current Sheriff of Nottingham, and 7 Other Pop Culture Titles Held By Real People

Thursday 9 February 15:30:00 UTC 2017

There still is an Earl of Sandwich and a Marquis de Sade, even if they're not the ones you know from the history books. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Fried Chicken as buns; over it. Fried Chicken as a taco shell; weak sauce. KFC announces the Chizza. A Fried Chicken crust pizza with ham, cheese and pineapple [Cool]

Thursday 9 February 15:20:05 UTC 2017

[link] [178 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Sam's Club Now Offers Self-Service Health Screenings

Thursday 9 February 15:00:00 UTC 2017

Members can now check their blood pressure and weight, both before and after buying an entire pallet of cookies. [Link]

Mental Floss » Domino’s Launches a Wedding Registry for Pizza-Loving Couples

Thursday 9 February 14:30:00 UTC 2017

Nothing brings people together like a passion for pizza. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Burglar gets stuck in chimney. The flue season continues [Fail]

Thursday 9 February 14:20:05 UTC 2017

[link] [27 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Photoshop this adorable piglet in boots [Photoshop]

Thursday 9 February 14:00:01 UTC 2017

[link] [30 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Were you a victim of a Nigerian internet scam? If you're not too embarrassed by your stupidity for being gullible, the DOJ is now taking names [Followup]

Thursday 9 February 13:50:04 UTC 2017

[link] [70 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Let slip the dogs of yore [Asinine]

Thursday 9 February 13:30:05 UTC 2017

[link] [85 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » 11 Facts for Thomas Paine's Birthday

Thursday 9 February 13:30:00 UTC 2017

The brilliant essayist's polarizing pen brought him praise and scorn on both sides of the Atlantic. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » The next time you get a tattoo you should ask if the ink came from air pollution harvested from tailpipes [Strange]

Thursday 9 February 12:20:05 UTC 2017

[link] [31 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Complimentary

Thursday 9 February 12:15:00 UTC 2017

[Link]

Mental Floss » When UFO Homes Were Almost Considered Ski Lodge Alternatives

Thursday 9 February 12:00:00 UTC 2017

The Futuro Homes of the 1960s are scattered all over the globe. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Town has to cancel its Valentine's Day party because of a law that prohibits dancing near a church. Kevin Bacon spotted lacing up his shoes [Facepalm]

Thursday 9 February 11:57:10 UTC 2017

[link] [68 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » One of the nation's most Mexican big cities wants to ban taco trucks. Thanks Trump [Sad]

Thursday 9 February 11:09:40 UTC 2017

[link] [111 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » US military: ignore Trump, mitigate against climate change [Obvious]

Thursday 9 February 10:42:23 UTC 2017

[link] [108 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Morning Cup of Links: The Rise and Fall of a Sex Symbol

Thursday 9 February 10:30:00 UTC 2017

Great links for great folks! [Link]

Mental Floss » How James Whistler Dealt with his Biggest Critic

Thursday 9 February 9:30:00 UTC 2017

When critic John Ruskin published a particularly harsh review of one of James Whistler's paintings in 1877, Whistler fought back. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Wikipedia bans Daily Mail as news reference [citation needed] [Interesting]

Thursday 9 February 9:25:46 UTC 2017

[link] [78 comments] [Link]

Mental Floss » Introducing a Machine That Sorts Candies by Color

Thursday 9 February 8:30:00 UTC 2017

Picky eaters, rejoice. [Link]

GraphJam » Where your child will vomit

Thursday 9 February 8:29:00 UTC 2017

LoL by: sah9193 Share on Facebook [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Keep recording that tornado, it will miss you by a good fifty feet (not safe for work language) [Scary]

Thursday 9 February 7:20:00 UTC 2017

[link] [85 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Can't afford one of those ridiculously priced weddings? Try the Domino's gift registry [Weird]

Thursday 9 February 6:35:00 UTC 2017

[link] [39 comments] [Link]

Futility Closet » The Windmill Algorithm

Thursday 9 February 6:32:17 UTC 2017

Suppose we have a finite set of points in the plane, no three of which are collinear. A line drawn through one of them pivots around that point until it encounters another point, when it adopts that point as the new pivot. Call this line a “windmill”; it continues indefinitely, always rotating in the same direction. Show that we can … [Link]

Mental Floss » You Can Now Experience Edward Hopper's Paintings as Animated GIFs

Thursday 9 February 6:30:00 UTC 2017

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the realist painter's death. [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Theme of Farktography Contest No. 614: "Happiness Is…(2)". Details and rules in first post. LGT next week's theme [Farktography]

Thursday 9 February 5:01:00 UTC 2017

[link] [63 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » "Job openings: Drug dealers with expert knowledge of marijuana and its distribution needed. Send application to German government. This is not a trap" [Interesting]

Thursday 9 February 4:32:42 UTC 2017

[link] [42 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Not news: man who can't swim drowns. News: with thousands of dollars of cash in pocket. Florida: partner in crime let him drown, got away, and wasn't arrested for five-and-a-half years [Florida]

Thursday 9 February 3:50:05 UTC 2017

[link] [24 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Have you ever yelled at your children? Congratulations, by the 9th grade they'll be violent drug-addled sex fiends. With more friends than you [Unlikely]

Thursday 9 February 3:45:34 UTC 2017

[link] [44 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » Thieves crash into each other while trying to evade police. No word if they also slipped on banana peels, frantically spun their legs in the air before running away, or took a pie to the face. (with mugshot goodness) [Amusing]

Thursday 9 February 2:50:05 UTC 2017

[link] [21 comments] [Link]

Fark.com RSS » One would think that the sofa was the one place you think you could watch TV and not be hit by an SUV. One would think [Scary]

Thursday 9 February 1:50:05 UTC 2017

[link] [27 comments] [Link]

John Gordon Ross

A Man for All Reasons