THE SCIENCE OF CLICHES

Ever wonder why we say things like “once in a blue moon”. “raining cats and dogs”, and “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”?

Neatorama has the answers.

A couple of them I already knew. Here’s one I didn’t:

Mad as a Hatter: Today we know enough to keep clear of mercury, but hat makers once used it to make the brims of hats. When absorbed through the skin, it could wreak havoc on the nervous system: tremors, fatigue, not to mention behavioral dysfunction - that is, crazy behavior.

Fear of a black hat,

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DEF XMAS PLAYLIST 2008: THE TRAILER

Now that the War On Christmas is underway, it’s time for the annual Def Xmas Playlist, where we offer you some suggestions for songs to play at yr Christmas party without having to rely on the usual suspects that yr local radio station plays EVERY F***ING YEAR. Because at Team Def, we care about yr Christmas party quality. Plus, we know you have absolutely nothing better to do than sit through YouTube videos all day.

Before we get to the actual songs, let’s review last year’s list (which you can also listen to by clicking here, provided YouTube hasn’t taken them down).

( Def Xmas Playlist 2007! )

Also, to get you in the mood – and seeing as how yesterday (December 8) was Jim Morrison’s birthday – check out “Mr Mojo’s Christmas”, in which The Wise Men (which seems to be one guy) answer the question, “What if The Doors ever did Christmas songs?”

Which isn’t the sort of thing I usually post, but it’s actually pretty funny, and a decent Morrison impression to boot.

Okay. The Def Xmas Playlist kicks off after the break.

Mr Claus is risin’,

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THE HOTTEST THING ON WHEELS

Continuing our coverage of Roller Skate Week, roller skating is largely associated with competitive disco dancing, but it’s also the source of one of the greatest concepts in sports entertainment: roller derby!

I used to watch roller derby on TV as a kid. It was like pro wrestling on wheels. So naturally, I liked it. But by that time it was already starting to die out a bit. Interestingly, though, it’s one of those things that keeps coming back. There are still a number of active pro and amateur leagues and teams – mostly women. Which is also interesting – it’s the only contact sport I know of that’s dominated by women.

Which means we have the perfect excuse to post some Raquel Welch.

DISCLAIMER: This is one of those cases where the trailer is better than the film. Rent with caution.

Over the railing,

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BREAKING: WHEN PANDAS ATTACK

Your Hong Kong headline for today:

Giant panda mauls keeper in Ocean Park!

Okay, she didn’t “maul” the guy woman so much as bite him on the leg. But the keeper still had to go to the hospital.

Actually this happened a week ago, but it’s just hitting the AP wire. Supposedly the keeper forgot to lock up the pandas before putting out some bamboo for them to eat. Pandas are serious about their bamboo.

Alleged post-attack video is available.

Mind you, it’s nowhere near as good as the Panda Jacket Thief video.

Anyway, yr local news stations will probably giggle at the factoid that the panda’s name, An An, means “Peace”. Ha ha.

Kung fu panda,

This is dF

EDITED TO ADD [a few hours later]: A minor correction to add after seeing the story on the late news: the keeper was female, not male, and had been looking after the pandas for seven years. They also mentioned nothing about her forgetting to lock up the pandas, and considering the only source up to now was the Apple Daily (a local newspaper that often gets 70% of its details from rumors and unreliable sources), it's possible that may not be what happened. That said, they're not sure yet just what provoked An An to attack.