Why do people say "straight from the horse's mouth"?

Search: straight from the horse's mouth

Why: Joel wants to know.

Answer: It's from betting on horse racing!

In horse racing circles, tips on which horse is a likely winner circulate amongst punters. The most trusted authorities are considered to be those in closest touch with the recent form of the horse, i.e. stable lads, trainers, etc. The notional "from the horse's mouth" is supposed to indicate one step better than even that inner circle, i.e. the horse itself.

Like a horse knows who's going to win. As if.

Source: Phrases.org.uk

The More You Know: Speaking of animals and Joel, look who's famous!

How long is a jiffy?

Search: jiffy

Why: Kylie from 2Pz posted this, which I recognize as bein from "Learn Something New Every Day":

(except the original didn't say that thing at the bottom:)

and this retraction, maybe from a site called "Don't Believe Everything You Read, Darlings":

Anyway, when I went to investigate, I saw this:

Answer: It means different things in different circles!

• For most - 0.01 second
• In computer engineering - Length of time between successive microprocessor clock cycles

This interval gets shorter as clock speeds increase. In a computer with a 2- gigahertz microprocessor, the jiffy is 0.5 nanosecond or 5 x 10 ^-10 second. In a machine with a 3-gigahertz microprocessor, the jiffy is 0.333 nanosecond (3.33 x 10 ^-10 second).

• Length of time required for one alternating-current utility power cycle; in US and Canada - 1/60 second, in other countries - 1/50 second

Other possibilities!

• 0.001 seconds
• 1 nanosecond / Length of time it takes a beam of light to require 1 foot
• 3.3357 x 10 ^-11 seconds / Length of time it takes light to travel 1 cm
• 3.3357 x 10 ^-24 second / Length of time it takes a light particle to travel from one side of a nucleon to the other
  

Source: WhatIs.com

The More You Know: Those all seem like really really short amounts of time, right? But also:

It is thought to have first been used in England during the 1700s, and referred to a brief but indeterminate time. In some contexts, it is used as a put-off: the expression in a jiffy can mean "maybe now, maybe never."

What's the origin of the slang term "corny"?

Search: corny etymology

Why: In this NY Mag article about "Modern Family" that Joel posted on 2Pz:

The show’s tricky mandate is to merge the heartfelt with the incisive, often within a single scene. That means finding fresh angles on corny topics (like parenting and marriage) and skirting the risks inherent in comic types like the fiery Latina.

Answer: Maybs:

Amer.Eng. slang "old-fashioned, sentimental," is from 1932 (first attested in "Melody Maker"), perhaps originally "something appealing to country folk."

Source: EtymOnline

The More You Know: Are you watching "Modern Family"? You should be. It comes on Wednesdays.

Where is the northern-most point of Alaska?

Search: alaska northern most

Why: 2Pz posted this link to a story about the loneliest polar bear:

and then:

Katrina: there are polar bears in alaska?!

Answer: Barrow, AK - the northernmost city in the United States - is located at 71°17′44″N. (The North Pole, in case you forgot how circles work, should be at 90° N).

Fun facts about Barrow:

• Population 3,982
• Located 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle (which is about 66° N)
• The high daily temperature is above freezing on an average of only 109 days per year.
• Classified as a desert, with an average of less than 5 in. "equivalent rainfall" per year, which includes less than 30 in. of snow
• July is the warmest month of the year with an average high of 46 °F
• The Barrow High School football team are called the Whalers
  

Source: Wikipedia

The More You Know: The polar bear habitat spans 5 nations:

1. Denmark (Greenland)
2. Norway (Svalbard)
3. Russia
4. US (Alaska)
   
5. Canada

These five nations signed the 1973 International Agreement for the Conservation of Polar Bears, which mandates cooperation on research and conservations efforts throughout the polar bear's range.

Also, I'm pretty sure Svalbard is where the armored bears live in The Golden Compass.

I want to hear the James Taylor cover of "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Search: james taylor baby its cold

Why: When Kylie of 2Pz (Happy birthday, Kylie!!!!!!!!) mentioned that I said "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is about date rape, contributor thomas wilhelm said:

I've LONG suspected this song was about date rape. Also recently heard the James Taylor cover - he brings it to a whole new level.

Answer: Here it is, plus Natalie Cole:

-Say, what's in this drink?
-I'll take your hat. Your hair looks swell.
-I ought to say no, no, no, sir.
-Mind if I move in closer?
-At least I'm gonna say that I tried.
-What's the sense in hurting my pride?
-I really can't stay.
-What're doing with your coat? You don't need your coat. What're ya puttin' your coat on for? It's warm in here.
-You don't understand.
-Baby, it's cold outside.
-The answer is No.
-Look out the window at the storm.
-Ooh, I've got to go home.
-How can you do this thing to me?
-I really can't stay.
-Darlin... as a friend, you must stay and warm up by this fire. Lemme get you a hot toddy.
-I really can't.
-People are so suspicious. I'm just innocently suggesting you keep yourself warm.

Source: YouTube

The More You Know: It's official. I hate James Taylor. Sorry, people who think classic folk rock isn't a fucking assault on the ears.

I want to see some baby porcupines

Search: porcupette

Why: On ZooBorns, a Fluffy Baby Paraguayan Porcupine (thx 2Pz):

Answer: Here are some:

Source: Google Images

The More You Know: A baby porcupine is called a porcupette. Its quills begin to harden during its first hour of life. Watch them porcupines run:

"Porcupine Racetrack" by The State - watch more funny videos

What is a sunchoke?

Search: sunchoke

Why: On 2PzNaPpod friend STAFF MEAL:

Last night we roasted some sunchokes and yams and then whirled them around in the cuisinart until they were silky and light.

Answer: A sunchoke is an underground vegetable like a cross between a rutabaga, potato, sunflower seed, and water chestnut. Also called a Jerusalem artichoke, it is not like an artichoke bloom, nor does it grow in Jerusalem. It's one of the few native tubers of North America. A sunchoke, related to the sunflower, makes a delicious addition to salad, salsa, marinade, and soup.

Source: WiseGeek

The More You Know: Well, I never.

Did Christian from "Clueless" ever act again?

Search: clueless

Why: Kylie at 2Pz posted this, because I don't know why. I have seen just about everyone else, even if it was only in "Clueless" the TV show (I'm looking at you, Ambular).

Answer: Well, not really. Here are Justin Walker's post-Clueless credits, none of which you have ever seen:

1. Take Out (2005)
2. A.P.U.: Art, Pot and Underwear (2003)
3. The Woman Every Man Wants (2001) ... aka Perfect Lover (USA)
4. I Shaved My Legs for This (2001)
   
5. Big Monster on Campus (2000)
   
6. Born Bad (1999)
   
7. "V.I.P." (1 episode, 1999) (TV)
   
8. Splendor Falls (1999) ... aka Glacier Falls (USA: new title)
9. The Journey: Absolution (1997) .
10. Last Resort (1996)
11. Humanoids from the Deep (1996) (TV)
12. Clueless (1995)
    

Source: IMDb

The More You Know: Walker owns a Tacone Flavor Grill, which is funny because that's what I'm about to have for lunch (it is one of 3 overpriced restaurants in my building).

What is BooBoo Stewart's real name?

Search: booboo stewart

Why: Joel at 2Pz posted this pic:

"OMG! Look! It's my favorite-named, soon-to-be-superstar siblings! Fifteen-year-old BooBoo, of course, plays the wolfishly wonderful Seth Clearwater in the upcoming Eclipse movie. And his sister, Fivel, is NOT a Jewish mouse, but rather an adorable 12-year-old actress who kind of LOOKS LIKE a mouse! I don't care that much about either one of them, personally, I just like writing their names. Fivel and BooBoo. HA!"

Answer: BooBoo (the boy) is Nils Allen Stewart Jr. He was born in Jan. 1994.

"Fivel," not Fievel? (the girl) is Trent Heaven Stewart. She was born Nov. 1996.

The also have siblings named Maegan and Sage. Honk-shuu.

Their dad - actor (surprise!!) Nils Sr. - styles his hair like this:

Source: IMDb

The More You Know: Have you read about the Glass family? Boo Boo is a girl and Zooey is a boy. Wrong:

I want to watch "Porcelain Fountains" from last night's SNL

Search: porcelain fountains

Why: Kylie of 2Pz says she liked "Norwegian Actors' Playhouse" and the digital short "On the Ground," but like... What - are you kidding me? How can you not have porcelain fountains all over your blog?

Answer: Watch the classic Scarlett Johansson vehicle here!

Source: Hulu

The More You Know: You gotta get yourself some marble columns.

You gotta get yourself some chandeliers.

What is the origin of the word "campus"?

Search: campus

Why: 2Pz team Joel & Kylie failed at finding Icees anywhere between Manhattan and Raiford's, including the Graceland campus.

Answer: The word itself means "field," but the note also says:

• probably prop. "an expanse surrounded" (by woods, higher ground, etc.)
• from PIE kampos "a corner, cove"
• from base kamp- "to bend"
• Lith[unanian?] kampus "corner"
  
• Pol[ish?] kepa "island in a river"
• First used in college sense at Princeton.

So if hippo- means "horse," and campus means "field," apparently hippocampus means "horse field." (But it doesn't - really it is hippo- plus kampos, which means "sea monster," aka "seahorse"... which is just as strange, really.)

Source: EtymOnline

The More You Know: Apparently they found Icees on the way back to Nashville! I hope they stopped at Casey Jones Village!

I want to hear the song "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

Search: best i ever had youtube

Why: In the NY Magazine article "Why Mass Culture Will March On" that 2Pz posted:

We should revel in our common ground. Pop culture is poppier and better than ever. Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling,” and Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” are great. They could certainly go toe-to-toe with the Everly Brothers’ “Wake Up Little Susie.” There’s a reason it’s called “pop”—it’s chronically likable, and we could actually be getting better at making it.

Answer: Here she go WITH lyrics:


Source: YouTube

The More You Know: By "WITH lyrics," I mean this:

u be up on everythin,
other hoes ain't eva
on it, i want this
foreva i swear i can
spend wateva on it

Who is Persephone Maewyn?

Search: persephone maewyn

Why: She did the lead vocals on this literal version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" that Jason sent:

Answer: Her real name is Felisha Noble! Persephone Maewyn is a screenname or something. She is 22 and lives in Corning / New York, NY. Here is all I can see of her bloggin:

Did anyone see her on CNN?

Source: Twitter, MySpace

The More You Know: From 2Pz:

How old is Antony (of Antony and the Johnsons)?

Search: antony + the johnsons

Why: 2PzNaPpod posted a video of them covering Beyoncé's hit jam "Crazy in Love."


He looks just like the albino (and the guy I swiped this picture from thought so too):

Answer: 37? 38? He was bored sometime in 1971. His last name is Hegarty, by the way.

Source: Wikipedia

The More You Know: I wish I had posted this yesterday, the exact middle day of the year.

What are 50 Animals Who Hate Baths?

Search: 50 animals who hate baths

Why: Joel said I should look at them.

Answer: Here they are! Samples:

Source: Best Week Ever

The More You Know: Here is another animal who hates baths (Maddie):