Author Topic: what I have learned today. (Read 858683 times)

rogerzilla · « **Reply #1075 on:** 02 June, 2016, 04:43:31 pm »

that Nikon ED lenses are hyperopic.

Si S · « **Reply #1076 on:** 03 June, 2016, 02:37:31 pm »

That there is a passenger ferry across the Manchester Ship Canal at Thelwall that takes bikes. Looks like fun.

Si S · « **Reply #1077 on:** 03 June, 2016, 03:21:17 pm »

And there's another at Davyhulme that's just been upgraded to take bikes, I foresee a double ferry loop

rogerzilla · « **Reply #1078 on:** 03 June, 2016, 09:36:30 pm »

That nothing rhymes with orange (OK, you knew that one), angel, silver, bulb or month. Or pint.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #1079 on:** 03 June, 2016, 09:37:01 pm »

And don't say "quicksilver", that's cheating.

ElyDave · « **Reply #1080 on:** 03 June, 2016, 11:29:50 pm »

Depends if you go literal, or take poetic license

Ruthie · « **Reply #1081 on:** 04 June, 2016, 11:45:53 am »

That a honey bee, in its whole life's work, makes a third of a teaspoon of honey.

Wow.

Kim · « **Reply #1082 on:** 04 June, 2016, 12:19:16 pm »

Quote from: Ruthie on 04 June, 2016, 11:45:53 am

That a honey bee, in its whole life's work, makes a third of a teaspoon of honey.

obxkcd: https://what-if.xkcd.com/144/

As a function of body mass, that's surprisingly similar.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #1083 on:** 04 June, 2016, 12:48:28 pm »

The obvious next question is how long it would take a hive of honey bees to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool with honey.

Isn't it?

Ham · « **Reply #1084 on:** 04 June, 2016, 08:27:20 pm »

That these fine objects, known as spudgers could have a better name, viz: The Ultimate Tool for Persuading Recalcitrant Pistachios to Yield Their Bounty. May not be as easily tripped off the tongue, but I think it is prettier.

Torslanda · « **Reply #1085 on:** 05 June, 2016, 10:53:03 am »

Quote from: Si S on 03 June, 2016, 02:37:31 pm

That there is a passenger ferry across the Manchester Ship Canal at Thelwall that takes bikes. Looks like fun.

Last time I was there it was a gnarly old bloke with a rowing boat. Er, thanks but no thanks . . .

tiermat · « **Reply #1086 on:** 05 June, 2016, 10:58:09 am »

Quote from: Torslanda on 05 June, 2016, 10:53:03 am

Quote from: Si S on 03 June, 2016, 02:37:31 pm
That there is a passenger ferry across the Manchester Ship Canal at Thelwall that takes bikes. Looks like fun.

Last time I was there it was a gnarly old bloke with a rowing boat. Er, thanks but no thanks . . .

"What's the French for have you ever lost one?"

Canardly · « **Reply #1087 on:** 05 June, 2016, 11:13:01 am »

There is a free ferry at Flixton but not a clue as to what it comprises.

Torslanda · « **Reply #1088 on:** 05 June, 2016, 12:31:27 pm »

Quote from: tiermat on 05 June, 2016, 10:58:09 am

Quote from: Torslanda on 05 June, 2016, 10:53:03 am
Quote from: Si S on 03 June, 2016, 02:37:31 pm
That there is a passenger ferry across the Manchester Ship Canal at Thelwall that takes bikes. Looks like fun.

Last time I was there it was a gnarly old bloke with a rowing boat. Er, thanks but no thanks . . .

"What's the French for have you ever lost one?"

Going there for my birthday . . .

Nuncio · « **Reply #1089 on:** 06 June, 2016, 02:11:19 pm »

You probably all know this already (and I think I may have previously known it but forgotten it) but Nottingham was originally known as 'Snottingham' -'the homestead of Snot's tribe'.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1090 on:** 06 June, 2016, 02:27:52 pm »

That the "Meadows" referred to in L'Anse aux Meadows - the Viking settlement in Newfoundland - refers not to fields but to jellyfish, called by ye Frenchies "Méduses".

T42 · « **Reply #1091 on:** 06 June, 2016, 03:06:02 pm »

Quote from: Nuncio on 06 June, 2016, 02:11:19 pm

You probably all know this already (and I think I may have previously known it but forgotten it) but Nottingham was originally known as 'Snottingham' -'the homestead of Snot's tribe'.

There's a sign outside Karlsruhe that announces "KARLSRUHE - Partnerstadt mit NANCY NOTTINGHAM". Maybe they know more about Snot than they're telling.

Andrij · « **Reply #1092 on:** 06 June, 2016, 03:57:30 pm »

Quote from: Nuncio on 06 June, 2016, 02:11:19 pm

You probably all know this already (and I think I may have previously known it but forgotten it) but Nottingham was originally known as 'Snottingham' -'the homestead of Snot's tribe'.

The initial S was dropped by the Normans. You can see why the people of Scunthorpe were glad the Normans didn't get further north.

Bledlow · « **Reply #1093 on:** 07 June, 2016, 03:52:25 pm »

Quote from: Mr Larrington on 06 June, 2016, 02:27:52 pm

That the "Meadows" referred to in L'Anse aux Meadows - the Viking settlement in Newfoundland - refers not to fields but to jellyfish, called by ye Frenchies "Méduses".

I didn't know that! And I've wondered for many years how the place got a mixed French/English name.

Jellyfish Bight - much more sensible!

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #1094 on:** 07 June, 2016, 04:09:08 pm »

Jellyfish Blight might me be even more sensible!

Jakob W · « **Reply #1095 on:** 07 June, 2016, 05:44:16 pm »

(Off the back of a discussion of super-twat Noel Edmonds): the existence of the Cancer Act 1939, and its provisions as regards advertising.

Bledlow · « **Reply #1096 on:** 08 June, 2016, 10:51:17 am »

Chris Boardman & Daniel Craig were in the same year at the same secondary school.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1097 on:** 08 June, 2016, 12:33:28 pm »

Quote from: Bledlow on 08 June, 2016, 10:51:17 am

Chris Boardman & Daniel Craig were in the same year at the same secondary school.

Chis Boardman to be the next Bond James Bond

matthew · « **Reply #1098 on:** 08 June, 2016, 01:29:29 pm »

Do Jag or Aston Martin make a bike for Q to build a rocket launcher into?

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #1099 on:** 08 June, 2016, 01:43:43 pm »

Back in his professional days Boardman had a Lotus Elise with a custom-made bike rack, but a Lotus wouldn't work for Bond James Bond, because he can't chase the Fiendish Hordes of $ENEMY if he's perched on the armco waiting for a breakdown truck