Why are there seven days in a week? A week is a cycle of seven numbered or named days most likely due to the Jewish calendar. However things get complicated as early medieval Europe inherited the idea of the week from imperial Rome, via Christianity. Name days are similar across all European languages: English, German,Continue reading “Ancient Words of the Day: Week Days”
Tag Archives: History
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #83
Welcome to the cosy cabin of your collective fantasies, featuring Aphex Twin’s serene ambient music, snow globe creatures encased in pure sugar and a softly-spoken Japanese woman whispering compliments to you, frozen ghost apples, post-partum pomeranians, African samurais and more. It’s edition #83…indulge it’s sugar-free and palm oil free. Richard D James AKA Aphex TwinContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #83”
Comforting Thought: You are not too reflective or too quiet – you are just a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
In our culture, we are not just a minority, but one that is considered to be far from the ideal. It might seem that we need to go to the other end, from feeling weak, flawed and victimised to feeling strong and superior. I consider this to be a necessary compensation. But for many HSPs,Continue reading “Comforting Thought: You are not too reflective or too quiet – you are just a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)”
Ancient Word of the Day: Gibbon / Kebong
The word gibbon entered European languages through French in the 18th century. The French adopted it from the Malay word, kebon. However etymological research shows this Malay word originally came from a group of languages called Northern Aslian, spoken by indigenous communities in peninsular Malaysia. In Northern Aslian, it was probably pronounced kebong. Gibbons are a type of apeContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Gibbon / Kebong”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #82
This week we learn how to love ourselves for being neurodiverse, we visit a cosy Tasmanian cottage, chomp down on a calming train ticket, enjoy a cute Polish claymation and hear some medieval Japanese tidbits of wisdom. Jump on cowboys and cowgirls we’re riding side-saddle through your imagination. Learning and seeing the world differently comesContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #82”
Comforting thought: Liking something is all about anticipation and memory
It turns out we like things when we have the opportunity to pine for them in anticipation and also to think about them fondly as a memory. ‘Liking’ something happens on a continuum of past, present and future according to the fascinating book about tastes, You May Also Like by Tom Vanderbilt. Even as youContinue reading “Comforting thought: Liking something is all about anticipation and memory”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #81
Are you yearning to know what your grandpa’s eau de toilette smelled like? Perhaps you want to see a deer from Star Wars, different coloured carrots, rotund cats…whatever you’re after, you can find it in edition #81 of interesting things… The Body is Round What did 1968 smell like? Not like your grandad’s armpit butContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #81”
Comforting Thought: Humans are hardwired to be attracted to imperfection
Humans instinctively understand the organic imperfections of the human face, however we experience a ‘visual shock’ when we see severe disfigurement. Taken from the fascinating book ‘You May Also Like’ by Tom Vanderbilt. There is one brain response that never falters – severe disfigurement. And so Bacon’s ‘Visual Shock’ as he calls it seems toContinue reading “Comforting Thought: Humans are hardwired to be attracted to imperfection”
Comforting thought: Museums are ways of seeing
According to the fascinating book about preferences and tastes, ‘You May Also Like’ by Tom Vanderbilt, museums help us see the odd and remarkable in everyday objects. They also give us cues about the boundaries of art. “The fact that art is not something we see everyday is what makes it extraordinary. This is whyContinue reading “Comforting thought: Museums are ways of seeing”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #80
Did you know that if you contemplate the following items you may find your heart relieved of weight and stress. Or you may feel confused or intrigued…in any case you should not take while pregnant or with alcohol. Hope you enjoy… Obscure cat breeds Here are some cat breeds you may not know of… ArtContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #80”
Content Catnip 