Month: December 2020

mineral

diamond – Developed from adamant—the name of the hardest stone or mineral of ancient times—from Latin adamans, from Greek adamas, “invincible” (a-, “not,” and daman, “to tame”). More…

Formica – Got its name from being created as a substitute “for mica,” a mineral. More…

mineral – Etymologically “something obtained by mining,” from Latin minera, “ore.” More…

snow – Technically a mineral, it is Teutonic in origin, from an Indo-European root shared by the Latin words niv-/nix and Greek nipha; the spelling snow first appeared in English around 1200. More…

Bicycle Cars

Though bicycles have many advantages over automobiles—they are less expensive, more energy-efficient, and easier to maintain—they offer little protection from the elements. For some people, this disadvantage makes bicycles impractical for daily use. Enter the bicycle car, also known as the velomobile. Similar to a recumbent bicycle, the velomobile boasts an aerodynamic shell that offers the potential for added speed and protection from bad weather. Why do some velomobiles have parachutes? Discuss

Feast of St. Gabriel (Ethiopia)

St. Gabriel is one of the most popular Ethiopian Orthodox saints and is believed to intercede on behalf of those who pray to him more than other saints. Thousands of Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Greeks, Armenians, and tribal people make a pilgrimage on his feast day to Kullubi, Ethiopia. Many carry boulders on their backs in a show of piety, and women often carry babies named after the saint to the local church’s baptismal font, as St. Gabriel has a reputation for granting the requests of women who wish to become pregnant. Discuss

Winklepickers

A staple of rock-and-roll fashion in Britain from the 1950s onward, winklepicker shoes and boots are noted for their extremely pointed toes. They were originally worn by both male and female rock-and-roll fans, and later became popular with the mod and punk subcultures as well. Their association with the music scene continues to this day, as they are worn by members of bands such as Kings of Leon and The Horrors. From what kitchen utensil did winklepickers derive their unusual name? Discuss