Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Humanities/2006 December 22

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[edit] December 22

[edit] People of Waterloo?

I am wondering what the demonym for people living in Waterloo, specifically Waterloo, Ontario is. I live there but have no idea, thanks!

--ManicLogic 02:53, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

"Waterlooan" is the one I remember learning when I lived there, but Google finds no instances of it on the Kitchener-Waterloo Record's web site. It does find one instance of "Waterlooian" on the paper's site, as well as references to waterlooians.ca, so I guess "Waterlooian" is now the preferred form to the extent that there is one. --Anonymous, December 22, 03:49 (UTC)
I would have thought Waterloovian would have fit the bill. Jooler
In the original Waterloo (without, of course, suggesting that these have any currency in Canada!): in French, un Waterlootois. I couldn't find anything in Walloon (e.g. at walon.org or the Walloon Wikipedia) or in Dutch (de inwoners van Waterloo?[1]). Wareh 01:33, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
I grew up in those parts, and can't recall ever hearing one. Maybe there isn't one, and they are just plain "people from Waterloo." Does there have to be one? Can't we just lump you in with the "Kitchenerites"? Bobanny 11:22, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Crowd conundrum

How is it that in large events such as concerts, plays, recitals, etc. when someone starts a standing ovation or the wave, the entire crowd joins in 99% of the time without any spoken cues? Is it possibly an ESP-esque social behaviour? Crisco 1492 03:05, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

Not really. Waves are usually started by a group of people that are already socially attached (such as a group of friends), so it's simpler than a bunch of strangers following a single stranger. Can't say anything about standing ovations from experience, but I'd say that if something deserves a standing ovation, people will generally know. — Kieff 03:32, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Re: standing ovations (from experience): it's an individual expression in a group setting and as such has a public, social-behavioral aspect. The "unspoken cues" component occurs in the first moments of seated applause, when individuals personally motivated to accord this acclaim will glance around (overtly or covertly) to see whether someone else validates this by standing up. This gives, as it were, the signal for others to join in -- but only those so motivated. I can't recall being present at any instance where the entire audience gave a standing ovation. -- Deborahjay 03:48, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
A 99%-compliance crowd phenomenon I've experienced is when audience applause at the end of a concert program changes to rhythmic clapping as a request to the performers to play an encore. This is clearly based on an auditory cue, but is also an established cultural behavior -- at least in Israel, where I encounter it regularly (and I've asked on the discussion page for Encore, whether this practice occurs in other countries). If you continue to simply applaud rather than join the clapping, you're audibly in the minority (and sound like you ain't got rhythm...). -- Deborahjay 06:18, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Re: standing ovations - if the person sitting in front of you stands up, you often can't see the stage and the performers anymore. Unless you stand up too. Skarioffszky 10:27, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Also, standing ovations are often in recognition of exceptional performances, and often, said recognition (from an audience) can be universal and instantaneous. Anchoress 14:52, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Don't forget peer pressure. After a certain percentage has jumped to its collective feet, you might not want to make yourself conspicuous by not standing up and clapping. Clarityfiend 18:47, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
True true. Thats a pretty good point, Skarioffszky. LOL at least it gives a practical explanation. Deborahjay, Anchoress and Clarity, those are good points too... Thanks people for all the help about standing ovations. However, what about doing the wave in sports events? Crisco 1492 23:44, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
A quick look around online finds this...

"Their analysis indicates that it takes only a few dozen fans leaping to their feet with their arms up to trigger a wave. Once started, it usually rolls in a clockwise direction at a rate of about 40 feet per second, or about 20 seats per second. They say at any given time, it is about 15 seats wide." I think that a certain amount of 'party mood' atmosphere will play a role in the development of a wave and will incorporate some form of 'group mentality' to why we take part. Obviously not everybody in the stadium takes part but there are papers online on them...search for "mexican wave dynamics" in google, that's what I did...some interesting stuff. ny156uk 22:34, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

Mexican wave dynamics? Is there an article here? How'd it get the name "Mexican wave?" Crisco 1492 00:52, 24 December 2006 (UTC)
See Mexican Wave - seems to be based on an occurance in the World Cup in Mexico 1986. I added the word 'dynamics' as I thought that was a term that the search engine would find matching for scientific/research studies about the way a mexican wave works/how it is organised (i.e. the dynamics of a mexican wave). ny156uk 02:01, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility

Google Earth shows a rather extensive building complex near the Eurasian Pole of Inaccessibility, at about 46.278° N 86.348° E. Anybody know what it is? ➥the Epopt 06:48, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Cresh?

I keep hearing a word that sounds like cresh in the context of Christian nativity scenes (I think). What exactly does this mean? I may be mispelling it because I couldn't find it in Webster's or Wiktionary. ike9898 14:41, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

The word is crèche; it's a French word meaning manger. - Eron Talk 14:47, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Note that that meaning of the word is primarily north American: it is used with a different meaning in the UK and elsewhere. See Creche (disambiguation). --ColinFine 00:25, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Irrepressible Sister Miriam" by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

i really need help in finding the script "Irrepressible Sister Miriam" by Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero. I just want to read it. I wonder if you, guys, can help me with this. thanks a lot! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 124.106.143.192 (talk) 16:12, 22 December 2006 (UTC).

I struck out here [2] here [3] here [4] here [5] here [6] and here [7]. Maybe consider calling public libraries, college drama departments, local and regional theaters, any organizations with whom the author's been involved, and Samuel French. Surely someone has a copy, just not online. Wolfgangus 16:41, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
The first draft (titled "The lively nun : the naughty sister Miriam") is in the archives of the Northern Illinois University Library, OCLC 40241024.EricR 18:04, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Hmm, the author search at worldcat didn't seem to work correctly, the final draft was published in: Guerrero, Wilfrido Maria (1980). Guerrero : 4 latest plays. Manila: Regal. OCLC 12052758.  and Guerrero, Wilfrido Maria (1990). Retribution : and eight other selected plays. Quezon City: New Day. OCLC 23901270 ISBN 9711004119. EricR 23:46, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Looking for a dance

I'm working on a poem. I'm trying to have dances representing three different types of relationships.

  • Business Relationship, boss/employee
  • Friendship
  • Romance

For romance, they type dance is easy, if a bit cliched - a tango. For friendship, a waltz was what I was going to use. It's the first dance I'm having trouble with. I want something formal, preferrably complicated. Again, the subtext is that of a workplace keeping the two from being too close.

Any suggestions? I looked up Ballroom dancing, but the only styles listed there were tango, waltz, and foxtrot. Thanks!TrekBarnes 19:09, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

  • How bout a quadrille? And if I may say, I think that a waltz is more romantic than a tango, and a square dance or jive is way more friendly than a waltz. Anchoress 20:21, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
Or a minuet with dancers on opposite sides of a desk? No touching there. An American Ballroom Companion 1490-1920from the Music Division, Library of Congress, may be a useful place to go digging. (I've taken the liberty to wikify your question a bit, Trek, you may wish to see how by clicking <edit>.) --Seejyb 23:38, 22 December 2006 (UTC)
I too don't agree with the cliche sense of tango representing "romance." Other than its being danced by a (male/female) couple, it would seem more expressive of tension in their relationship, at best a sense of staying in synch? For romance, I'd favor the waltz: chronologically it's contemporary with the Romantic era in music, and the woman is practically "swept off her feet" by the man, who leads. -- Deborahjay 01:18, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
A tango is a dance of No No No. A rumba is a dance of Yes Yes Yes. My wife on her own came up with a minuet for the business relationship -- or, a square dance with the boss as caller. Viennese Waltz could be a model for the act of love -- especially the utter exhaustion at the end... --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 15:49, 24 December 2006 (UTC)
After reading jpgordon and Deborahjay's comments, and considering its allusions to dominance and submission, the Argentine tango might be a candidate for the boss/employee dance. The waltz for romance and any of the above for friendship. ---Sluzzelin 17:37, 24 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Request for information on painter known as J. Lettwil

I have been unable to find any information on the 'net about a painter identified only as J. Lettwil. The only information I have about him is that a painting of his was purchased in the 1950's. I have been unable to verify if he is or is not of Australian origin. Is there any info on this painter available? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 20 questions (talk • contribs) 20:26, 22 December 2006

[edit] Customs laws in Australia

I'm an Australian currently travelling in the USA. Where can I find out about what I can bring back to Australia through customs? I found the official website pretty unhelpful about my specific questions.

  • For example, I know that plant matter is restricted, but are teabags okay? Would it make a difference if the box of tea is open or sealed? What are the rules for other food items?
  • Second, I am interested in a sexually explicit comic book (Alan Moore's Lost Girls). It's said to have great literary and artistic merit, if that makes any difference. But I don't want to spend the $75 if Customs is going to decide it offends the moral standards of Australia. Can anyone advise on this situation?

Thanks in advance, Grace 02:56, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

  • Is Australian Customs in the habit of opening up books sent in the mail? --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 06:00, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
My impression was that erotic/pornographic material showing consenting adults generally would be legal (except for certain fetishes such as urolagnia), I don't think Lost Girls would pose a problem, unless the customs are really nit-picky about copyright infringements... =S 惑乱 分からん 13:18, 23 December 2006 (UTC)
The old post of "lost girls" available at Australian library is WRONG. It's a novel called "lost girls" but it is NOT by Alan Moore. 202.168.50.40 02:26, 27 December 2006 (UTC)