by Dictionary Scoop Sure, sheep are obedient, and geese are loud. But when did we decide to start calling each other by animal names? Since Biblical times, we’ve been dragging innocent animals into our human drama to describe each other’s worst behavior. Is that fair? Read on to see some of the animal …
Category Archives: animals
Some Nursery Rhymes Not Exactly Kid Stuff
by Dictionary Scoop We all have nursery rhymes etched in our memory, verses that take us straight back to our childhood. But behind some of those catchy, cheerful tunes lie surprisingly dark and mysterious origins rooted in real-life history. Join us to discover the hidden stories behind the most popular nursery rhymes. 1-The …
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Life-Saving Drugs Made From Corn Husks
by Kevin Burton We just bought a big box of corn from our favorite buy-local small farm. That makes us a candidate to help the young man from our first good-news story today. But as you will see, he’s doing OK! Hope you are having a good Saturday and have room for …
Putting Sharks And Problems In Their Place
by Kevin Burton My good friend Tracy sends out riddles and brain-teasers that challenge the mind, thoughts that make me ponder. This one made me laugh out loud. It was a trick question, under the heading “Drowning”: “Imagine you are in a sinking rowboat surrounded by sharks. How would you survive?” …
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Robotic, AI Guide Dog Under Development
by Financial Review Guide dogs are a great help to vision-impaired and blind people, assisting them to navigate their surroundings and get to where they need to go. But they’re not for everyone. Some people have allergies that make dogs unsuitable; others might not want to take on the responsibility of looking after …
All Honor To The Keeper Of The Seven Bowls
by Kevin Burton Dear Cat Sitter, The worker is worthy of her hire. But you are no ordinary worker. You are most worthy. You are chosen. You are select among mortals. Yours is no ordinary task. This is a venerated trust. Be you ever so steadfast in your appointed rounds. For you, are …
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Getaway Day, Glorious Beyond (These) Words
by Kevin Burton It takes a little work to make a vacation happen doesn’t it? You don’t just up and go. You have to make sure everything is taken care of. Animals, if you have them. The homestead. Plus you have to arrange for accommodations on the road. But there comes a …
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Mark Twain And Hannibal To The Rescue
by Kevin Burton Thirty-six little hours before we were to set sail for Memphis, my wife Jeannette checked the weather. And we never set sail for Memphis. The National Weather Service had issued a flood warning covering Memphis at exactly the same time we had planned to hit town. That sort of …
Diving Down Deep For Facts About The Sea
by Dictionary Scoop Although Earth’s oceans cover over 70 percent of the planet’s surface, they still remain largely unexplored. Shocking natural phenomena and alien-looking creatures populate their waters, baffling both scientists and explorers. Dive with us to explore the depths of our seas as we uncover ten intriguing facts that will leave you …
A Fearful List Of Ten Unusual Phobias
by Dictionary Scoop The word “phobia” does not merely mean “fear of” as some believe. There is more to it. A phobia is an irrational fear, “an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation,” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. Here are ten uncommon fears and …
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