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What Did You Call It? Scots know a thing or two about winter weather. In fact, the Scottish Gaelic language has approximately 421 different words to describe various types of snow. From “feefle” (to swirl) to “snaw-broo” (a blizzard), these unique expressions capture the nuanced beauty of snowy landscapes and the ever-changing nature of precipitation.
Linguistic Linguine: Pasta lovers, here’s a tidbit for your next Italian dinner! While we often refer to the delicious, thin, cylindrical pasta as “spaghetti,” that’s the plural form. If you were to isolate just one strand, it would be called a “spaghetto.” This naming convention is rooted in the Italian language, where “spaghetti” means “little strings.” So, the next time you’re twirling that delicious pasta around your fork, remember that each individual strand has its own special name, adding a touch of linguistic flavor to your meal.
Coca-Cola’s Little Secret: Corporate espionage can sometimes take unexpected turns, as evidenced by a 2006 incident involving two beverage giants. When a Coca-Cola employee tried to sell company secrets to Pepsi, instead of capitalizing on the information, Pepsi did the honorable thing. They promptly informed Coca-Cola about the offer. It’s a refreshing reminder that, sometimes, doing the right thing trumps potential gains.
How To Leave A Party: Cultural quirks often manifest in languages in the most amusing ways. In English, slipping out of a party without saying goodbye is cheekily termed a “French Exit.” However, the French have their own version of this phrase. They call it “partir à l’anglaise,” which translates to “leaving like the English.” It’s a delightful example of how languages can playfully point fingers at each other while highlighting cultural idiosyncrasies.
Will The Real Buddha Please Stand: The image of Buddha that many of us are familiar with – a rotund, smiling figure – is actually a misrepresentation. The real Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, was quite the opposite. Due to years of self-deprivation in search of enlightenment, he was incredibly skinny. The chubby Buddha often seen in statues and pictures is actually a Chinese monk named Budai, known for his jovial nature and portly figure. This mix-up is a fascinating example of how cultural symbols can evolve and take on new meanings as they travel across different societies.
TRIVIA
- What is the opposite of a budget deficit?
- Which bird is the symbol of peace?
- Which famous waterfall is located on the border of Canada and the United States?
- What is the largest organ in the human body?
- In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” what gift is given on the sixth day?
(See below for answers)
CELESTIAL WATCH
December 4 – Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation – The planet Mercury will reach its greatest eastern elongation of 21.3 degrees from the Sun, making it the best time to view Mercury. It will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky, visible low in the western sky just after sunset.
December 12 – New Moon – The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky at 23:33 UTC. This phase of the moon is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters as there is no moonlight to interfere.
December 13 & 14 – Geminids Meteor Shower – The Geminids meteor shower is known as the king of meteor showers, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon and runs from December 7-17 annually. This year, it will peak on the night of December 13 and the morning of December 14. The nearly new moon will offer dark skies for an excellent show. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
December 21 & 22 – Ursids Meteor Shower – The Ursids meteor shower is a yearly event that produces around 5-10 meters per hour. The shower is created by dust particles that were left behind by comet Tuttle, which was discovered in 1790. This year, it will peak on the night of December 21st and early morning of December 22nd. Although the waxing gibbous moon will block most of the faintest meteors, viewers can still see a few meteors if they are patient. The best viewing time is just after midnight, in a dark location away from city lights. The meteors will radiate from the Ursa Minor constellation but can appear anywhere in the sky.
December 22 – December Solstice – The December solstice occurs at 03:21 UTC. During this time, the South Pole of the earth will be tilted towards the Sun. The Sun will be at its southernmost position in the sky, directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This marks the first day of winter (winter solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of summer (summer solstice) in the Southern Hemisphere.
December 27 – Full Moon – On this day, the Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, and its face will be fully illuminated. This phenomenon, known as a full moon, will occur at 00:34 UTC. Early Native American tribes called this full moon the “Cold Moon” because it marks the beginning of winter when the cold air settles in, and nights become longer and darker. It has also been known as the “Long Nights Moon” and the “Moon Before Yule.”
KICKS & GIGGLES
- “Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!” – This phrase is a playful expression of surprise or amazement.
- Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!
- How do you make a tissue dance? You put a little boogie in it!
- What can you catch but not throw? (Answer: a cold)
BACK IN TIME
December Birthday – French painter Georges Seurat (1859-1891) was born in Paris. He was a leader in the neo-impressionist movement of the late 19th Century.
December 2, 1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France by Pope Pius VII in Paris.
December 7, 1787 – Delaware became the first state to adopt the new constitution of the United States of America.
December 15, 1939 – Gone with the Wind had its world premiere in Atlanta, introduced by producer David O. Selznick and featuring appearances by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.
MEMORABLE QUOTES
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
- “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln
ANSWERS TO TRIVIA
- Budget surplus
- Dove
- Niagara Falls
- Skin
- Six geese-a-laying
Read last month’s edition, here [November 2023 Edition]