Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Miscellaneous/2006 August 21

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[edit] Windows Media Player

I've successfully downloaded a temporary internet file for an episode of a Jimmy Neutron. The sound works fine, but whenever I try to play it, it shows those weird, random textures that are shown when music is playing, instead of the picture for the episode. How can I fix this? -- TheGreatLlama (speak to the Llama!) 00:02, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Do you mean it's showing a music visualization? Windows Media Player seems to think it's an audio file not a video file. What is the file extension/media type? If it's MPEG2 (.MPG), it might be because WMP won't decode MPEG2 or DVD movies without charging you extra for a decoder plugin. --Canley 04:32, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

You could try another media player like VLC media player to get the picture to show. - 131.211.210.11 07:18, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

You are missing a required codec used to decode the video. There a few bundles of common codecs on the internet that you can find; one that I installed a long time back at the recommendation of others was the DefilerPak. I don't know how current it still is. If you install that, though, it should work. --Fastfission 13:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I installed DefilerPak, and it did work, so thanks for the help. By the way, this was the first time I used Windows Media Player, so that's why I said "weird, random textures" (which probably sounded pretty stupid). -- TheGreatLlama (speak to the Llama!) 16:30, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Laptop or Notebook?

Why do computer companies call laptops "notebooks?" Which is correct? Reywas92 01:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

They used to be called laptops, but since they got smaller theyre now called notebooks. AFAIK--Light current 01:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
A notebook is a "A light, portable computer that is generally thinner than a laptop." --Proficient 02:47, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I definitely appreciate them making progressively lighter computers. That makes it far less likely that I will pull my back when I toss the damn things out the window. :=) StuRat 04:13, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

  • When I was having some battery problems with my MacBook, one of the support people I got on the phone asked, "How are you using it?" "On my lap." "Your warranty can be voided if you use it on your lap!" "But it's a laptop." "We don't call it that!" (I don't use it on my bare lap anymore; these suckers run HOT.) --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 05:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Don't forgot the desktop replacement! --Charlesknight 11:56, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 10:10, why all the clocks...

10:10, why all the clocks showing 10:10 in a picture are any idle clock dispalyed at advertisement...?

Cany any one knows are refer and let me know...


Jayakumar/chennai/india

Check out these answers, which seem to indicate it is mainly for the symmetry. I've also heard that it lets the watch logo (which usually sits just above centre) to be seen clearly. – AlbinoMonkey (Talk) 05:40, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I've always been told that it looks like they're smiling. - Rainwarrior 05:51, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
We have an article on this; it is actually closer to 10:08, for a variety of reasons. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 07:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Strategic human resource management

"First 'personnel administration' arrived, followed by 'personnel management'. then came 'human resource management'. now they say it is time for 'strategic human ersource management'. in my point of view, this is all just about semantics. in practice, the role and tasks remain the same. today, as one or two decades ago, same people are doing the same things, performing the same functions to acheive tyhe same outcomes, when it comes to the management of people and people related aspects in organisations"

can u please help me in elaborating the difference in the concepts of the 'human resource management' and 'strategic human resource management' now in any feild e.g., telecom, cellular etc. and also how these can effect the organisational performance and competitiveness.

For all my information in this area, I turn to the books by Scott Adams. --Zeizmic 14:04, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
See also Wikipedia:Reference desk archive/Humanities/June 2006 Part 2#PERSONNEL VS HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.  --LambiamTalk 23:51, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I'm pretty sure the first few pages of a SHRM textbook would have the answer to this question... BenC7 00:54, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] world's largest selling english daily newspaper?

what is the world's largest selling english daily newspaper?

Sadly, it appears to be The Sun. --Richardrj 09:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Our articles Newspaper and Newspaper circulation seem to give slightly different answers. The former says The Sun is the largest, selling 3.2 million copies a day, but the latter gives the circulation of News of the World is nearly 3.5 million. The Newspaper circulation article seems to have the more recent figures, so I'd go with that. I don't find either of these newspapers particularly palatable - when in Britain I prefer The Independent myself.-gadfium 09:23, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
The different answers are probably because the News of the World is a weekly, not daily, newspaper. So the best selling daily would still be The Sun. Ironfrost 11:51, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] ENGLISH PRIMERE LEAGUE

202.141.138.48 09:55, 21 August 2006 (UTC)DEBJIT ROY –WHO IS TJHE OWNER OF THE CLUB PORTSMOUTH?

That would be Alexandre Gaydamak. You could have found this out for yourself by searching this site in less time than it took you to post your message. --Richardrj 09:58, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes Richard is correct about that - the article itself is located at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_fc

--Charlesknight 09:59, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Thanks, Charles. BTW, when you're linking to other Wikipedia articles, you don't normally put the full URL - it's usual to just put the title of the article within two sets of square brackets, like this: [[Portsmouth FC]] gives Portsmouth FC. --Richardrj 10:05, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Roman Counting

Why we use Roman counting as suffix of famous personalities ? Like Pop John Paul II or Queen Elizbeth I etc?

Just tradition, I imagine. We use it for non-famous personalities too if you get beyond Sr. and Jr. This is probably a question better posed to the Language desk. Additionally unlike Jr. and Sr. the dignitaries with the same name are usually not related (and in the case of Popes, it is not their birth name). One could imagine doing something like "Queen Elizabeth, the one who was born in 1853" but that seems a little clumsy (and a lot harder to remember). --Fastfission 13:21, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Not clumsy, but cool it sounds. --Proficient 02:20, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Every Country?

My Holy Father went to on a bunch of trips and all i got was this lousy map
My Holy Father went to on a bunch of trips and all i got was this lousy map

Is there some who been to every country in the world? I know this might be quite a difficult question to answer because it impossible to judge but maybe some person set out to go to every country and got plenty of media coverage. Thanks for all the help Joel—Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.129.18.250 (talk • contribs)

Several people claim to, as you can see from this Google search. Of course it does depend how you define "country". --Shantavira 12:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Thank you for the help. I think someone should create a page on wikipedia about Solomon Gerber.

Ther you go. Just click on the red link and off you go!--Light current 14:14, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Pope John Paul II went to a fair number. 127, to be precise, out of somewhere between 192-243 depending on your definition. Thats between a half and two thirds of them. Not bad for an old dude. Rockpocket 05:53, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Seat etiquette on public transport

What is good etiquette regarding one's choice of whether to take an aisle or window seat on a bus (or train), when both seats are currently unoccupied? I prefer the aisle seat, because it allows me to stretch my legs out into the aisle, so I always sit there on the first-come, first-served principle. But when the bus begins to fill up, I get stares and sighs from the person who has to ask me to step aside in order to claim the vacant window seat. The suspicion persists that, by taking the aisle seat, I am somehow trying to discourage him from sitting next to me. Yet that is not the case at all; I simply prefer the aisle seat. Is this bad etiquette? Should I always take the window seat, regardless of my personal preference and the fact that I was there first, so that people who arrive later - that's later, please note - can easily slip into the aisle seat?

The thing that really bugs me is when people leave their bags on the seat next to them, and don't remove them until someone asks them to (and even then, it sometimes seems, with reluctance). Now that is a clear case of discouragement from sitting down next to one, and should be outlawed. --Richardrj 11:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I always thought that traditionally people prefer the window seat. If I'm not alone in this, perhaps other people can't understand your preference for the aisle seat.
I don't know why you see putting your seat on the bag next to you as worse than sitting in the aisle seat. It's much easier to reach there than in the overhead racks or underneath your seat, so if no-one's sitting next to you, I would say it's perfectly reasonable to keep it there until someone needs to sit down. --Sam Blanning(talk) 12:25, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
IMO its poor form to sit in the aisle seat and leave the other unoccupied. It does seem like you are trying to stop people sitting there, as it is very difficult for people to get into that seat, especially if you have long legs. If you see getting the aisle seat as an advantage or privilege of getting on first, then maybe sit down next to someone who is already in a window seat, or at each stop stand up so someone can get into the window seat next to you without having to ask/glare. I do agree with you on the bag thing, however, unless it is ridiculously heavy, it is equally easy to put it on your lap instead of the seat... – AlbinoMonkey (Talk) 12:51, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
But if I sit down next to someone who's already in a window seat, when there's a pair of unoccupied seats elsewhere on the bus, they will think I'm a pervert and glare at me even more. As Anchoress says below, it's up to the later person to say 'excuse me' if they want to sit in the window seat. I will always let them sit down without hindrance.
Re bags, my favourite incident was when I asked a woman to move her bag so that I could sit down next to her. She huffed and said "look, there's other empty seats over there". As though she could prevent me from sitting next to her! I said "Nevertheless, I would like to sit here, if you don't mind," and waited patiently until, with great reluctance, she moved her bag. --Richardrj 14:18, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Personally I think it's perfectly OK to sit in whatever seat you want. I think it's rude of people to presume you're trying to hog two seats, but it's understandable since I know people sometimes do so. Frankly I also think it's OK to put bags etc on the other seat, although if it's standing room only I always pick mine up. People do not have the right to take up more than one seat (unless they are hindered in some way physically), and IMO anyone has the right to politely ask people to pick up their stuff so a standee can sit. And frankly if you're going to ride public transit that kind of assertiveness is necessary and not rude. I've never been shy about asking people to pick up their bags so I can sit down, and I don't even bother asking to sit in the window seat if someone's in the aisle, I just smile, make a gesture towards the seat, politely say 'excuse me', and step over them if they don't move over. I guess to sum it up, if there's an 'empty' seat on the bus or train and I'm standing - unless there's someone more needy than I am - no matter if there's a coat, groceries, a TV, a backpack, a giant potted palm or half an ass on that seat, I'm (politely) sitting down. And I don't assume the worst of people or give them grief for having their stuff on the seat. I just ask them to move it. :-)
A humorous reversal to that though; when I was backpacking in the UK, I frequently found it easier to stand and put my backpack on the seat. It was better for numerous reasons, ease of re-mounting, not snagging stockings or taking up room in the aisle, not whacking people in the face with it behind my back, etc. People really used to give me dirty looks over that though, lol. But I'd say, hey, I get one seat, right? If I want to give it to my backpack there's no reason to complain, right? Of course I gave it up to more needy people. Anchoress 12:50, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
You wore stockings while backpacking? Hel-lo! --Richardrj 14:19, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
THat sounds fair to me. Altho some may say you should have put your luggage on the luggage rack not on the seat!--Light current 14:21, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Why? Sometimes there weren't luggage racks, and sometimes even if there were it was a) inconvenient to use them, or b) too far from the seats, I feared theft. If I had used the luggage racks, I would have still been taking up a seat. So what's the difference? Anchoress 02:44, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
If no racks, fair enough. If racks available it would make one more seat available. Any way , I thought you werent talking to me! Have you forgiven me now?--Light current 03:01, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
OK, so if there is a rack, I should use it why? You say it would make one more seat available. HOW? I'm already using only one seat. Are you saying I should put my backpack in the rack and then stand up, giving my seat to someone else? As stated above, I already do so when a more needy person is present. And no, I haven't forgiven you. Not now or ever. Don't expect me to be 'talking to you' much, because it isn't going to be happening. Anchoress 04:58, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes there would be an extra seat that either you or someone else could use. Now why dont you forgive me?. PLeeease! Ive said sorry for unintentionally upsetting you. Have you not read my apologies? --Light current 15:23, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
And I would choose to use it by putting my backpack on it for the reasons stated above, and that leads us back to the beginning. And no, I'm not going to forgive you, not now or ever, as I said. Anchoress 00:27, 23 August 2006 (UTC)


I once managed to get a seat on an "redeye" airplane flight with two empty seats on one side. I put the armrests up and actually was able to lay down to sleep ! Unfortunately, everyone seemed to bitch about me having extra seats, but I just figured "that's their problem" and went to sleep. I always take an aisle seat, because then I can get up when I please. It seriously annoys me when I have to climb over somebody who refuses to get up to let me out. The only downside to an aisle seat is when the plane lands. At this point everyone seems to feel the need to cram themselves into the aisle, like sardines, and wait for 10 minutes to exit, versus just remaining seated until the rows in front have exited. I like to sit calmly and read a magazine, instead, but with an aisle seat the people next to me feel their right to do a sardine imitation is being abridged, LOL. StuRat 16:39, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I think seagulls should be given seat priority on planes (After all, they are regular flyers!).--Light current 16:46, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
On (Dutch) trains I hang my coat on the window side (hooks are only there) sit in the aisle seat next to it, put my feet up on the opposite seat and put my backpack on the seat next to that one. Thus, I (sort of) occupy four seats. Then again, I always ride during quiet hours and go to one of the ends of the train. Most people are lazy (or stupid) and don't walk far from the stairs and get on the train through the nearest door. Consequently, the middle is often cramped, while at the ends of the train there is plenty of room. I never get any nasty looks. If it gets crowded I keep an eye out for people looking at 'my' seats and a few friendly looks solve the situation. And if I don't because I'm too engulfed in my literature (or thoughts) then people simply ask and I oblige. Ony once in over a thousand train trips did someone react in a rude way. If everyone is relaxed about this there is no problem. If everyone worries too much about upsetting others then the others will be more easily upset, which makes people worry even more, etc. Relax and (very important - this solves most situations) SMILE! Not an obligatory smile ut a genuine one. I've learned that that is the best problem solver in the world. It works miracles. DirkvdM 17:56, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I certainly cant agree with you putting your feet on the seat opposite. THats one thing that really gets my goat! Its dirties the seat that someone will eventually have to sit on and wears ou the cloth that we must all pay for to get reparied. In this country, there are large penalties for this crime. I think it should be made a hanging offence actually!(but then agian Ive always been too soft) --Light current 18:05, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
My feet, not my shoes. I take those off (the shoes :) ). If they're smelly I put a plastic bag or something under my shoes. Don't assume too much. :) DirkvdM 03:34, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
OK Ill let yo off!--Light current 15:23, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Light current, you haven't told us where you're from. So "this country" could be anywhere. JackofOz 06:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
The old country my friend (UK)--Light current 00:56, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
Aaaahhhhh. Now I see the light.  :--) JackofOz 00:53, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
Where? I cant see it! Or do you mean my light?--Light current 00:58, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
Use common sense. Most people will think certain gestures are unwelcoming. --Proficient 02:27, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

That was my original question. Do you think taking the aisle seat is unwelcoming? --Richardrj 05:45, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

Yes it can appear so to people looking for a seat. Its as if you dont want any company!--Light current 00:14, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
Yes, I think it is unwelcoming. But that doesn't mean I think you shouldn't do it. It isn't the job of anyone riding public transport to be welcoming. Personally I LOVE people who sit on the aisle seat; first because I personally prefer the window and don't mind the inconvenience of getting there (I don't expect people to stand up or even shift over to let me by), and second because I derive perverse satisfaction from thwarting people who think they can hog two seats by sitting on the aisle (not you, I know). I strongly believe you should continue to do exactly what you want. As long as you are not actively hindering people from sitting in empty seats, I don't think you are being discourteous or doing anything worthy of criticism. People who can't bring themselves to budge past a pair of knees or politely ask someone to pick up their coat deserve to stand, IMO. Anchoress 02:08, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Court order to attend AA

I read in the paper that Mel Gibson received a fine and a court order to attend AA (Alcoholics Anonymous not the Automobile Association) for his drunk driving charge. In situations like this how does the court know if he turns up or not? as I thought the a major part of AA was that they won't tell anyone who attends their meetings. AllanHainey 11:59, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I have to wonder whether, when the papers say "sentenced to AA" it's just a lazy way of saying "sentenced to a court-approved alcohol program". Frankly, if I were a volunteer attendee at an AA meeting, I don't know how confortable I'd be bearing my soul in the company of a bunch of boneheads who're there only to escape some jail time. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Wouldn't orders to attend specifically AA violate separation of church and state, given that it's essentially a religious movement? --Sam Blanning(talk) 12:20, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I don't think it's a religious movement by any definition. Anchoress 12:53, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Many of these points, including the religions question, are indeed answered in, um, Alcoholics Anonymous. Notinasnaid 14:02, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Quoth Twelve-step program:
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
...
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
...
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Turning over wills and lives to God? Admitting our sins in hope of divine admonishment? Praying for better contact with God? And, given that a conservative 5 / 12 steps (go on, look at them for yourself) involve God, it seems to fall well within the bracket of a 'religious movement'. Abednigo 14:03, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
God and religion are as different as eggs are from cake. In order for an organisation to be a 'religious' organisation they have to be connected with some religion. Which religion is AA associated with? Anchoress 03:07, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Well, regardless, it's not any sort of violation of separation of church and state. Deals like this are worked out between the prosecutor and the defendants lawyers (and I imagine Mr. Gibson can afford his own), and if he didn't like AA, he would have agreed to some other equivalent. --jpgordon∇∆∇∆ 14:06, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

This has been an issue of separation of church and state. I believe there was an episode of Bullshit! just about this topic. That's a cable TV program starring Penn and Teller debunking, well, bullshit. AA tries to walk the line and claim they aren't a religious org, by doing things like replacing the word "God" with things like "a higher power", which are sufficiently vague that they can get away with it. In the US, under the Bush admin, though, the separation of church and state has been so eroded that AA can just leave "God" in and have nothing to worry about. They don't really publish a success rate, but from what info has gotten out, it doesn't appear much better than any other method. I believe in many areas AA is the only treatment program available, so the courts do sentence people to AA, specifically. StuRat 16:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

If there is a court order to attend AA meetings, the court gives the person a card to take to the meeting. An official at the meeting signs and dates the card once for each attendance. And it is possible to be court-ordered to attend AA meetings and a court-approved alcohol treatment program; in my county with clients I've worked with, it's common. 69.56.96.116 18:43, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

In the UK and Australian Parliaments, and no doubt in other legislatures, each day's proceedings open with the Lord's Prayer. That does not make these bodies religious institutions. You can tell they're not by the open hostilities that happen after the prayers are over. JackofOz 06:24, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Magnets, oriental men, and scant clothing

Can anyone tell me what on earth this is all about? Googling for various combinations of "semi-naked men", "magnet", "red blue" and related terms leads to some interesting results, but not an explanation. Abednigo 13:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I have no idea, but thank you so much for posting it. I can't stop laughing, particularly at the facial expression of the guy on the right. At a guess, it looks like some kind of version of It's a Knockout. --Richardrj 13:59, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
It's a Japanese comedy show called "Houkago Denjiha Club". Have I won the Internets? 121.45.169.54 09:48, 11 June 2007 (UTC)
Ahh one man(?) is south and ones north I see. But they both have a magnet which naturally has a N and S pole each??? I think the scientific advisor should be fired.--Light current 15:04, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
every magnet has a N and S pole. -Wjlkgnsfb 06:50, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Polish Wikipedia

Why the Polish Wikipedia is so big?

Why wouldn't it be? Do you think Polish speakers would be less interested in some topics? Notinasnaid 14:00, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
There are several reasons for a Wikipedia to be big. One is number of speakers (native or not). This is the main reason the English one is the biggest. Then there is pride, which probably explains the sizes of the Esperanto and Catalan ones. And internet penetration probably explains the size of the Dutch one - there are only about 22 million Dutch speakers (native or ... well, native) and many (like me) will be more active at the English Wikipedia. There are 46 million Polish speakers and I supose many will be good enough at Eglish for normal conversation, but not to participate in Wikipedia. So they put their effort into the Polish one. DirkvdM 18:14, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Another reason might be that the Polish wikipedia received a lot of publicity because of the Henryk Batuta hoax, which probably brought wikipedia to the attention of many Poles who would otherwise not have known about it. There is no such thing as bad publicity, after all: the traffic for the English wikipedia also exploded during the John Seigenthaler Sr. Wikipedia biography controversy of December 2005. David Sneek 20:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Thank you very much for your answers.

[edit] village locations in India

I am trying to locate the Rajiv Gandhi Colony, India. 64.136.226.18 14:03, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

There is such a place in Ludhiana district in Punjab. --Cam 14:49, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] first world war poem

the only line i can remember

"at the going down of the sun"


many thanks don bagley (email address redacted to prevent spam)

It's from a poem called 'For The Fallen' by Laurence Binyon. The text is here. Google is very good at answering this kind of question, by the way. --Richardrj 14:09, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tape worm

After listening to to much Sytem Of a Down, i was wondering, is it possable and/or advisable to pull a tapeworm out of your ass?

If you don't have a tapeworm there in the first place, then no — if you do, please go see a doctor about it. There are very effective medications these days for that sort of thing, but, as a matter of policy, we don't offer medical advice here on Wikipedia. —Ilmari Karonen (talk) 21:18, 18 August 2006 (UTC)
OMG LOL Thats so funny Ilmari 8-))(not if you dont have one there in the first plalce... classic)
There there, don't you be having a fit now. It was a nice one but not all that funny. Here, have a virtual glass of water. Feeling better now? DirkvdM 18:22, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

This is not a medical question as i dont have worms. I was just wondering if it would be possable and/or advisable if, lets say you woke up and felt something laying its eggs around you anus.

Is that a sensation regularly felt by many people upon waking? --Richardrj 14:38, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
OMG LOL Are you sure we dont have to pay for this entertainment? The above two posts (taken together) are hilarious! Dont split them on pain of death!--Light current 14:52, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Oh dear, you're calling out to your god again and all that. Maybe you should lie down for a minute, to catch your breath. Think about your heart. DirkvdM 18:22, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
No honestly thats the best couple of laughs Ive had all week. What a sad life I must lead. (YES yes)!--Light current 18:39, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
OK now seriously folks, I heard Maria Callas had one and thats why she lost so much wieght so quickly. Is that true?--Light current 14:54, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Come on ppl, lets say you did wake to find this, not that it is too common i hope, but lets say you did, should you pull it out?

What you mean? A worm sticking out your ass or a load of eggs in the valley? Are you yanking our chains? (or just pulling our worms)--Light current 15:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
The answer is no. Tapeworms hang around in the digestive tract. Only a suicidal one would head for the anus.--Shantavira 17:37, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

You know, some of our patented Ring of Fire brand salsa should send those tapeworms running for their lives (or slithering, as the case may be). :-) StuRat 18:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

THats very interesting StuRat. I wonder what effect salsa would have on the long beasties! Would it make them suicidal?--Light current 18:18, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I believe that the active ingredient in hot peppers, capsaicin, was indeed used to clear parasites out of the intestinal tract. This does, however, cause significant discomfort and diarrhea, so other means are most often used. StuRat 18:30, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I wonder what would happen to a dead tapeworm (the article doesn't seem to say)? Wouldn't one shit it out? In that case a bit might indeed be sticking out. DirkvdM 18:27, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Really Dirk, cant you use the word expel rather than S**t (Ive just had my tea). I think when they die they break up into pieces and detection of these is one of the tests to see if you have worms. BTW.are there more than one alive at any one time in the gut?--Light current 18:36, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Not just when they die; pieces also break off when they are alive. That's how they reproduce and spread. StuRat 19:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Ahh. But what about the eggs?? Ha Ha?--Light current 00:34, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

If you have reason to believe that you have a tapeworm, see your doctor immediately. Given sufficiently early detection, he will have an effective regimen that will expel the parasites before they kill you. B00P 08:39, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

OK yes I think we got that problem taped now!--Light current 13:55, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Jeez guys, can't anybody give him an answer? The answer is no, to all your questions. Tapeworms hang around too deep in your large intestine, and never come out to lay eggs. That's other kinds of parasites, and ones that are around a millimeter thick. You could not pull one out unless you can stick your whole hand and much of your arm in positions physically impossible, and you had been doing this for years so that your intestine would be able to stretch to your hand size. — [Mac Davis] (talk)
THats what weve been trying to say (in a roundabout way). But what about Maria Callas?--Light current 15:11, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
This reminds me of a family story. In the days before drug treatments, a friend of my aunt's had some sort of parasitic worm which he'd picked up in West Africa. The only advice the doctors gave in those days was to tell him that if it ever got near his eye, he should get someone to pop his eyeball out so the worm could escape through the empty socket. So whenever his neck started pulsating and it looked as if the worm was getting close to the eye, everyone would crowd round and watch anxiously wondering if this was the big moment. Unfortunately it never was; the worm always turned back and was eventually buried with him. Jameswilson 23:08, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
I dont believe that story because:
  1. You cannot 'pop' your eyeball out of its socket
  2. How did he know that a pulsating neck was a sign of the worm?
  3. Where was the worm supposed to be living- in the arteries? poppy cock!
  4. Why did the PM (autopsy) not find the worm?
--Light current 23:14, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
If we're telling stories now I might as well join in. Once in Indonesia got a worm in my foot that is really 'meant for' dogs and cats and can't fully penetrate the human skin. So it kept on searching for a spot just under the top layer of skin. After a few weeks I could see a whole network of (lighter coloured) corridors in my foot. It itched like hell and luckily I had clove oil with me, because I wouldn't have been able to sleep. I finally went home and they made an ointment for me at the hospital which got rid of it. Anyone know what this worm is called? DirkvdM 07:03, 23 August 2006 (UTC)
THe corridor worm?--Light current 19:16, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] What does this mean

What is the most common meaning for opa? Like in the movie, "The Terminal" with tom hanks he said opa a couple times. Does anyone know what it means? 71.209.74.81 15:00, 21 August 2006 (UTC)daniel

Oh Pa?--Light current 15:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

What? Oh Pa?

In greek/italian, a general purpose non-offensive expletive, like "Oops" or "Horray". In german it is a casual way of saying grandfather. Could be others meanings too. --Darkfred Talk to me 16:02, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I haven't seen the terminal, but perhaps you are referring to the exclamation used by (I think) greek people when taking a shot? The equivalent of "bottoms up", I guess. And wasn't the character in the terminal from a fictional country? -Bmk 16:12, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
It was indeed a fictional country (which we oddly have an article on: Krakozhia), which spoke a combination of fictional Krakozhian and Belarusian. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 16:45, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
So it probably doesn't have anything to do with the Dutch word 'opa', which means 'grandfather'. DirkvdM 18:28, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
"Opa" is also the German word for "grandfather." Marco polo 00:24, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

In Greek restaurants, such as the ones on Halstead Street just west of downtown Chicago, Illinois, they serve "flaming saganaki", a dish with heated cheese. A heated high-alcohol liquor is poured on it and lit. Flames go up to the ceiling, and everyone yells "OPA!" Sometimes the waiter will have four such plates stacked up along his arm, with even greater inferno. (Not to be confused with flaming Nagasaki).Edison 20:48, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

I am not sure about opa, but I do know about Oprah Viva La Vie Boheme!

[edit] Tooth location in human mouth

Is there a location where I can find the basic location of theeth in the mouth?

Yes. Stick your finger in your mouth and you will find your teeth!--Light current 15:09, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Have a look at Teeth#Human teeth and get back to us if you have any more questions. --Richardrj 15:11, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fake Card Copyrights

[1] So what should the webmaster (Serebii) do? Wizrdwarts (T|C|E) 16:28, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Remove the image, because only a copyright holder can grant permission for the use of what they own, and copyright owners are absolutely entitled to stop publication. The webmaster is responsible for obeying copyright law. Or wait for a takedown notice. Though the notice might be acted upon by the ISP hosting the site; it would be as well not to let things get that far. See Online Copyright Infringement Liability Limitation Act. Notinasnaid 16:41, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
By the way, Wikipedia doesn't give legal advice, but the webmaster should be under no illusions: this is a legal matter. If they are determined to keep it, and believe they have a legal (as opposed to moral) right, then they should consult a lawyer immediately. Notinasnaid 16:43, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
  • I say take the card out. Due to the fact that the image is indeed art, he has no right to put it on his website. If he were allowed a second image of the pokemon, or even a rip of the card itself by the creator, it'd be fine. Locke Yggdrasill
  • warning I am not a lawyer. I think it might fall under Fair use since he is talking about the card itself not using the card to illistrate something. Jon513 21:24, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] born 1990, died 2003

I remember there was an article about a girl who was born in 1990 and died in 2003 because she commited suicide in the girls' washroom in her school. The article was in Category:1990 birth. What was her name and how come the article is here in the Wikipedia? by the way, she was a Texan and the incident took place in a girls' washroom in a elementary school.

Is it here? Where?--Light current 16:33, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
This google search doesn't find it. If it did exist, I suspect it doesn't any more. -- Rick Block (talk) 03:38, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
  • As to why it was in Wikipedia, I guess someone wrote the article and posted it. - 131.211.210.11 07:35, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Black walnut toxicity

Brntoutchef 17:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)I had my black walnut trees trimmed. I am in the process of stripping the leaves and removing nuts. I have been feeling really weird. Are the leaves toxic, just as the roots are? brntoutchef

I hate to say this but, removing your own nuts is not recommened 8-)--Light current 17:14, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Ha, ha. Black walnut roots, leaves, and husks contain juglone, which is powerful stuff. You can be allergic to it, and it has some sedative properties. --Zeizmic 17:26, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Go see a doctor; don't risk it. --Proficient 02:28, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Ignore this question I contacted the school and found the answer. "St George's school, Ascot" school founded or established

The school website http://www.stgeorges-ascot.org.uk gives lots of information about the school but it says nothing about when the school was founded.

I can find nothing on the web about when the school was founded. All that I have found is that the school was founded at the end of the 19th century and that Winston Churchill attended the school for two years in the 1880s as a young boy.

I need this school history information for the article I want to write in Wikipedia Schools Portal. Cowarth 17:36, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fire spitting cars

How do you make your car spit fire out of it's exhaust pipe? Jamesino 18:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Feed fuel into the exhaust system ? (Dont try this its probably dangerous)--Light current 18:21, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I think the most common method is to burn to rich of a mixture of gasoline and air, which sends unburned gasoline vapor through the exhaust. A spark plug can then be mounted at the end of the exhaust pipe to ignite the gasoline as it mixes with the outside air. However, this sounds dangerous to me, so I wouldn't recommend it. StuRat 18:23, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
"the most common method"? Does that phrase apply here? DirkvdM 18:35, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
OR.. dont use a spark plug but rely on the very hot exhaust pipe to ingnite the unburned fuel? Is this what used to be called backfiring?--Light current 18:31, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Not if you spell it as back-fire. Well, what do you know ... "For some engines, backfiring may be considered normal." Was that article written in the early 20th century? DirkvdM 18:35, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I'm sure that's wrong and I've changed it.--Shantavira 18:47, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
In many online videos and in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, cars that spit fire out of their exhaust for a splitsecond are displayed before accelerating away. Jamesino 21:02, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Afterburners! Benbread 23:02, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
You guys all assume we're working with "normal" cars. Nobody has ever made a jet engine and attached it to some kind of vehicle before? — [Mac Davis] (talk)
Many, many, many, many times before. People have also strapped rather more crazy things to cars, such as rockets. And for truely crazy, some guy decided to "reupholster" his car, which included giving it a wood burning oven which, if memory serves, also burst into flame. smurrayinchester(User), (Talk) 18:18, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The Pandyas

A clan of pandyas migrated from South India (Trichi) to Gujarat.

These Pandyas - whose roots are in Trichi migrated to Gujarat possibliy because of Famine and then shifted to MP in search of Gems.

Do you have any infortmation about it ? Where else shold I look for the information?

[edit] Federal Guideline for computer labs.

At my college, all the computers are locked starting this semester and require a student id to access. When I asked why, they made some vague reference to being in compliance with a federal mandate. Is this law something new. Where can I find out more about this?--God Ω War 21:14, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Which federation? DirkvdM 03:53, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

Umm, a United States federal mandate.--74.134.178.182 16:09, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

You could check out CIPA but that should not apply to colleges. Colleges make up their own rules about this. Most use IDs and Internet filters to prevent unauthorized use of equipment:
  1. by non-university people (homeless monopolizing the Internet computers.)
  2. for non-eduaction related work (bandwidth problems related to file sharing.)

Nowimnthing 14:34, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Why is it called a near miss when it's really a near hit?

I love these sort of observations, but does anyone know of a collection of similar comments/observations? I think they'd make great reading :) Thanks very much Benbread 22:46, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

"I could care less" comes to mind. Intending to declare indifference by meaning to say "I couldn't care less" says just the opposite.  ;-) --hydnjo talk 22:51, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
That has been discussed before. It depends entirely on what you mean. If you are bored to death on a subject it's quite possible you could not care less. - 131.211.210.11 07:33, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Ooh, thought of another one. The use of "three fold" to mean three times as much when clearly 23 is the literal meaning. --hydnjo talk 22:59, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
And, "the same difference" clearly means that the diference between two pairs is the same. It gets used "all the time" to indicate the difference between two things. Six vs half a dozen: it's "the same difference" (not). --hydnjo talk 23:07, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
And "literally", as in he "literally blew his top" when clearly "figuratively" is the appropriate word. --hydnjo talk 23:13, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
A lion is a cat, and ooh, it is big, isn't it? So it is a big cat. So if you have a shot that was a miss, but ooh, that was near!, it is a ...  --LambiamTalk 23:15, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, I think that Benbread knows how to use it properly. But, it is often misused as in two planes nearly colliding and nearly hitting each other being called a "near miss" when in fact it was a "near hit". --hydnjo talk 23:31, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I think a near Miss is very pleasant. THe nearer the better! 8-) (tongue hangs out)--Light current 23:56, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
I think that most (guys) would agree with that! But what about the near hit?  ;-)) --hydnjo talk 00:07, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
You shouldnt hit a Miss. Thats not right!--Light current 00:16, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
"There you go again". There is nothing wrong with hitting "on" a Miss just so long as you don't leave out the "on". --hydnjo talk 00:26, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
We dont have that term 'hiiting on'. What does it mean?--Light current 00:32, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Who the heck doesn't have the term "hitting on" in their vocabulary? Now I suppose someone will ask what "heck" means. --hydnjo talk 00:39, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Sorry. I dont. Can ou explain pls?--Light current 00:41, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
OK. Try hitting on this. (geez - for an electrical wizard Lc... ) --hydnjo talk 00:47, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Oh flirting! Aha!--Light current 00:51, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
We have the term 'touching up'. But I think thats a bit risky! (over here anyway)--Light current 00:54, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Where is "over here", Light current? Your profile doesn't tell us where you're from. JackofOz 06:13, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
I think "hitting on" someone is somehow related to "hitting the showers". They're not meant to be interpreted as having anything to do with anybody literally hitting anything. Even when 1 person goes to the only shower in their home, they seem to call it "hitting the showers". Go figure. JackofOz 06:13, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
So, back to the original question, we're looking for examples of "flirting" with language and common sayings that screw around with literal meanings and have come into everyday usage anyway. Any ideas? --hydnjo talk 00:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Now, if we continue this discussion much longer someone will suggest that we "get a room". Literally, that may suggest that we become intimate but what it really means is that this discussion has become two-sided but, it should not be interpreted literally.  ;-) --hydnjo talk 01:17, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
Im on your side anyway!--Light current 01:19, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
I know (I think)! And, I have some real problems about how you think a capacitor works. --hydnjo talk 01:25, 22 August 2006 (UTC)--
You of course mean 'how a capacitor really works!' Well you must talk to me about that on talk:capacitor--Light current 01:30, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
I like your sense of humor (even if you are foreign)--Light current 01:30, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
TWO feckin' edit conflicts!
this, this and this all appeared on the first page of this search. FWIW, I'm always amused when people answer the phone with "who's speaking please?" I always want to reply with a succinct, "You are, dickhead." --Howard Train 01:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)
What do you say if it's a femail voice? Certainly not "...dickhead" I hope. --hydnjo talk 01:35, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

Back to the original question: There are different types of misses, a near miss, a moderate miss, and a far miss. The confusion is caused by people reading "near miss" as "nearly missed", which doesn't have the same meaning at all. StuRat 02:10, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

What about Air miss. Is that a sort of stewardess (or not)?--Light current 02:24, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

It's not nearly a miss, it's a miss (i.e. not a hit), but it was near, or close as opposed to far or way off. So if you on a shooting range, and you're in lane 1, and you hit lane 3's target, that's way off, but if you're aiming for a perfect bullseye and you're 1 mm outside the circle, well that is near, but it's a miss as far as your target is concerned: "Wow Miss, that's a near miss, Miss; pretty good for a girlie though." --Seejyb 07:31, 22 August 2006 (UTC)


Very very funny, thanks everyone for your answers. Howard Train for your useful answers, and everyone else for your less useful but very funny answers. Seems Wikipedia hasn't become boring and nasty after all :) Benbread 12:50, 22 August 2006 (UTC)