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Here's a game that sounds like it could be very educational to all of us. You pick an object or an animal or something else, and then tell us some little known facts about it. I was talking to Ms Puzzler on the phone this morning and she suggested it. I was surprised to find out that a male rabbit is not called a 'hare', and a few other things she was telling me about. Ms Puzzler? I'm going to ask you to start this game. Choose whatever topic you want and tell us a few little known facts about it.

Every one heard of word pachyderm and think it means just a elephant.

pachyderm It means any animal large and thick skinned.

Definition

pachy·derm (pak�?/STRONG>ə dʉrm�?/SPAN>)

noun

any of certain large, thick-skinned, hoofed animals, as the elephant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus, formerly classified together
a thick-skinned, insensitive, stolid person

Etymology: Fr pachyderme < Gr pachydermos, thick-skinned < pachys, thick (< IE base *bhenĝh-, thick, dense > Sans bahú-, dense, much) + derma, skin: see derma

Related Forms:

pachydermal pach′y·der′·mal adjective or pachydermic pach′y·der′·mic

The Difference Between A Rabbit And A Hare

Rabbit: Shorter ears; newborns are born blind; newborns have no fur; shorter hind legs

Hare: Larger than a rabbit; newborns are born with eyes open; newborns have fur; longer hind legs if want to read about a hare go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit if want to read about rabbit read here. male rabbit is called a buck and female is a doe and babies are kits short for kitten.

Here are a few natural signs of a harsh winter from Almanac readers:

�?Large spider webs everywhere (yes, lots of spiders)
�?Squirrels gathering nuts early in the year (confirmed, first one in the neighborhood spotted last week)
�?Pigs gathering sticks (Woody Wolf says yes)
�?Spoon-shaped persimmon seeds (haven't picked one yet)
�?Thick and tight corn shucks (we had small ears, seemed normal otherwise)
�?Earlier backyard food quests by bears (no bears yet)
�?Very thick onion skins (none in our garden this year)
�?Raccoons have thick tails and bright bands (they're around, but haven't seen one this year)
�?Frequent halos/rings around the sun or moon (no)
�?Heavy and numerous fogs in August (no)

And these:

�?Thick hickory nutshells
�?Woodpeckers sharing a tree
�?Early arrival of crickets on the hearth or in the chimney
�?A small orangish band on a wooly caterpillar
�?Hoot owls call late into the fall
�?Thick bark on trees
�?Early migration of starlings and geese
�?Trees are laden with green leaves late in the fall
�?Trees already turning colors (hmmm, a contradiction)

Acorn Superstition
by Eliza Yetter
(written in 2003 / revised 2007)

The acorn is the fruit of the oak tree, a tree that was sacred to the ancient Druids.

Like the egg, the acorn symbolizes both sexual fertility and material prosperity.

The shape of the acorn, the body coming out from under the cap, represents birth or coming out of the mother's womb.

In superstition it is believed that placing an acorn on every windowsill will protect the house from lightning. Also, to carry an acorn in your pocket or purse will prevent aging.

Every year, my children and I gather fresh acorns for decoration and for our windowsills. When gathering, check for holes and cracks in the shell of the acorn. Discard any acorn that shows signs of damage or worms.

Don't fret if the caps fall off the nut. Simply glue the caps back in place when you return home.

The oak tree's acorn has a long history of superstitions - Ancient Romans, Druids, Scandinavia, Nordic legends, modern folklore, Britain and medicine have all been influenced.

The acorn, the familiar fruit of the oak tree, is steeped in both strange and sometimes incredible superstitions. Some stem from Roman and Druid folklore. Some are manifested in the strange rituals and medical beliefs of old and present Britain. Even modern society carries on these superstitions about the innocent acorn into a new millennium.

In pre-Christian Britain the Druids venerated the acorn. Many other civilizations treated it with equal reverence, including the Romans, who shared similarities with the Druids by making a necklace of acorns. The Roman goddess Diana was frequently carved adorned with such a necklace. In these ancient cultures superstition and religion were closely bound together. The fear of evil spirits was as much a part of their cultures as cars are in the 21st century. The acorn was the talisman of the ancient world.

Nordic legends also tell of how Thor, god of thunder, took refuge under an oak tree during a thunderstorm. Somehow, despite the present day knowledge that hiding under any tree during such a storm is dangerous, people in Norway, Sweden and Finland have adapted this. Superstition states that putting an acorn on a windowsill during a thunderstorm protects the occupant's home from a lightning strike. Even modern blinds reflect this with acorn shaped pulls being quite common.

In 17th century Britain acorn juice was given to alcoholics as a cure or at least an ounce of prevention. Whether it worked is anyone's guess. However this medical folklore has continued to this day with some people carrying acorns to prevent aging.

The simple acorn affects even love. If lovers put two acorns, representing themselves, in a bowl of water and they float towards each other then they will marry. Scientifically this is mumbo jumbo, but what harm can it really do? Whether sensible people believe it seems irrelevant.

Acorn folklore and superstitions will change again, but they will never go away as long as human nature maintains the need to hang onto its mysterious past.

In pre-Christian Britain the Druids venerated the acorn. Many other civilizations treated it with equal reverence, including the Romans, who shared similarities with the Druids by making a necklace of acorns. The Roman goddess Diana was frequently carved adorned with such a necklace. In these ancient cultures superstition and religion were closely bound together. The fear of evil spirits was as much a part of their cultures as cars are in the 21st century. The acorn was the talisman of the ancient world.

Nordic legends also tell of how Thor, god of thunder, took refuge under an oak tree during a thunderstorm. Somehow, despite the present day knowledge that hiding under any tree during such a storm is dangerous, people in Norway, Sweden and Finland have adapted this. Superstition states that putting an acorn on a windowsill during a thunderstorm protects the occupant's home from a lightning strike. Even modern blinds reflect this with acorn shaped pulls being quite common.

In 17th century Britain acorn juice was given to alcoholics as a cure or at least an ounce of prevention. Whether it worked is anyone's guess. However this medical folklore has continued to this day with some people carrying acorns to prevent aging.

The simple acorn affects even love. If lovers put two acorns, representing themselves, in a bowl of water and they float towards each other then they will marry. Scientifically this is mumbo jumbo, but what harm can it really do? Whether sensible people believe it seems irrelevant.

Acorn folklore and superstitions will change again, but they will never go away as long as human nature maintains the need to hang onto its mysterious past. little acorn springs the mighty oak, prompting various cultures to see in it the qualities of fecundity and patience, and urging those who start small projects to persevere.

In ancient cultures, the acorn was taken as a talisman to ward off evil spirits. In Britain, to carry around an acorn meant long life, good luck, and guidance when lost. Old English folklore says that a woman who carried an acorn on her person kept wrinkles at bay. For Thor, the Norse god of thunder, the oak was sacred because it withstood lightning strikes. The acorn subsequently became associated with protection from storms. Keeping an acorn on the window sill was recommended for just this purpose.

The acorn motif is found in ancient statues and carvings -- on Greek statues of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, and on the necklace of her Roman equivalent, Diana. Celtic goddesses also liked the acorn for its association with fertility and immortality.

The oak has long been associated with England, and its fruit, the acorn, frequently showing up in heraldry as a symbol of antiquity and strength. Shown with leaves, the acorn represents new growth and development. Beloved by royalty, the acorn was embroidered into cloth as symbols of fertility and life. Perhaps no one appreciated the acorn more than Charles II, who, after defeat in battle, successfully concealed himself in an oak tree. The ancient Druids believed oak trees were home to fairies, and today the acorn remains a favourite image in woodland tales. If you’re an elf, you’re probably depicted of wearing an acorn cap.

The oak was so crucial to the construction of the ships of the British Admiralty that numerous laws were enacted to protect oak trees and set aside specific quantities of oak timbers for the exclusive use of the Royal Navy. British Naval power and supremacy on the high seas depended in good part on the stout oak ribs of her warships. "Heart of Oak" is the official march of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom to this day.

Furniture made of oak is revered for its strength and durability and for the beauty of its grain, which in its natural state is a beautiful blonde but it also takes stains and varnished exceptionally well. Oak floors in a home well a sign of wealth and prosperity. For centuries the acorn has been a popular emblem in carved wood furniture and wall panels. It still appears as a design motif in jewelry, furniture, textiles, and architectural detail, emblematic of strength and endurance.

For the Native American, the acorn was a traditional ration in times of food shortages. In Japan, Korea, and Europe, acorns were soaked to release tannins before being dried and later ground for meal. Legend has it that English drunkards of the 1600s were given the juice from the acorn as a hangover cure, and for strength in resisting drink thereafter.

In tattoo designs, acorns and squirrels are often paired together. A circular charm of oak leaves and acorns recalls an ancient ‘emblem of abundance�?and is a popular tattoo motif.

The Symbol of the Acorn
The acorn has long been considered a symbol of good luck in Germany where oak trees are considered sacred. The rebirth of life in the coming of the Christ child is also represented in the acorn. Bearing a tiny seed that will produce a mighty oak, the acorn reminds us that great results can be born of humble beginnings
Now you know some of the things about a simply acorn. .

Here are some neat facts about ladybugs.

There are nearly 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs worldwide and 400 which live in North America.

A female ladybug will lay more than 1000 eggs in her lifetime.

A ladybug beats its wings 85 times a second when it flies.

Aphids are a ladybug's favorite food.

Ladybugs chew from side to side and not up and down like people do.

A gallon jar will hold from 72,000 to 80,000 ladybugs.

Ladybugs make a chemical that smells and tastes terrible so that birds and other predators won't eat them.

If you squeeze a ladybug it will bite you, but the bite won't hurt.

The spots on a ladybug fade as the ladybug gets older.

During hibernation, ladybugs feed on their stored fat.

Ladybugs won't fly if the temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ladybug is the official state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The male ladybug is usually smaller than the female.

The Asian Lady Beetle can live up to 2-3 years if the conditions are right.

Ya know what Ms Puzzler? You're pretty darned good at this stuff. You've found some really interesting information for all of us and I thank you for all of the work you've put in to this thread.

Little Known Facts About Mosquitoes You Need to Know!

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Spraying your skin with a mosquito repellent before you go outside can be an effective way to protect yourself from these blood-suckers.

How Do They Find You?
A little known fact about mosquitoes you need to know is that they have poor eyesight. However, they can still detect movement. They are attracted to chemicals such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. They also are attracted to heat and light. That's how female mosquitoes find their victims.

According to the Fond du Lac Humane Society, mosquitoes will be more attracted to you if you're wearing the color blue. Darker colored clothing attracts mosquitoes more. These little bloodsuckers are said to prey on kids more often than adults. They also prefer blondes to brunettes, and people who have stinky feet.

Thanksgiving Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Thanksgiving that each of us should know about:

The first Thanksgiving celebration can be traced back to the Plymouth Pilgrims in the fall of 1621.
The first Thanksgiving feast was held to thank the Lord for sparing the lives of the survivors of the Mayflower, who landed at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. The survivors included four adult women and almost forty percent children.
The Wampanoag chief Massasoit and ninety of his tribesmen were also invited to the first thanksgiving feast. Governor William Bradford invited them for helping the Pilgrims surviving and teaching them the skills of cultivating the land.
The celebration in 1621 lasted for three days and included games and food.
The president to proclaim the first 'National Day of Thanksgiving' in 1789 was George Washington.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, campaigned to make Thanksgiving a National Holiday in 1827 and succeeded.
Abraham Lincoln announced Thanksgiving to be national holiday in his proclamation on October 3, 1863.
The 'wishbone' of the turkey is used in a good luck ritual on Thanksgiving Day.
Puritans of Mayflower used to drink Beer.

Let's talk turkey!

Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.
According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. That number represents one sixth of all the turkeys sold in the U.S. each year!
Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be our national bird.
Domesticated turkeys cannot fly, however wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances.
Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. The famous gobble is actually a seasonal mating call.
The heaviest turkey ever raised weighed in at 86 pounds �?about the size of a German Shepherd! (But turkeys are normally not used as police animals.)
A turkey under 16 weeks of age is called a fryer. A five to seven month old turkey is called a roaster.
The Turkey Trot, a ballroom dance in the 1900s, was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey. It became popular mainly because it was denounced by the Vatican as "suggestive."
Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)
Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining!
A turkey's field of vision is 270 degrees--one of the main reasons they're able to elude some hunters.
The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.
There was no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast.
Contrary to popular belief, the Pilgrims did not have big buckles on their clothing, shoes, or hats.
Buckles did not come into fashion until the late 1600s �?more appropriate for the Salem Witchcraft trial time period.
The cranberry got its name because the pale pink blossoms on the plant resembled a crane’s head and neck. The name craneberry stuck, eventually becoming cranberry.
Fresh cranberries are ideal for cranberry sauce. Cranberries of the highest quality will always bounce! (If you try this at home, please wash the cranberries before eating.)
President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863.
President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of establishing a national “Thanksgiving Day.�?BR>
Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday until 1941.
The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. (Now that's a lot of turkey!)

Thanksgiving Customs Around the World

Giving thanks on Thanksgiving is an important American tradition, but it's not just a tradition celebrated in the United States. In fact, seven nations of the world have officially declared Thanksgiving Days: Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Argentina and the United States. Thanksgiving celebrations have also been celebrated for hundreds of years, including some ancient cultures.

The Greeks
The ancient Greeks celebrated a festival of the harvest called Thesmosphoria each autumn. Their goddess of corn and other grains was Demeter who was honored at the festival. On the first day, married women would build shelters out of leaves and create seating made from plants. On the second day the women would fast and on the third day they would have a feast where they made offerings to the goddess Demeter to ensure a good harvest.

The Romans
The Romans also celebrated a fall harvest festival in honor of their goddess of corn, Ceres (where the word cereal comes from). The Romans celebrated a Thanksgiving feast where they offered the first fruits of the harvest and pigs to Ceres. Their Thanksgiving was held on October 4th each autumn.

The Chinese
The ancient Chinese celebrated their harvest festival, Chung Ch’ui, in accordance with the full moon that fell on the 15th day of the 8th month. They considered this day to be the birthday of the moon. Special “moon cakes�?are baked and stamped with a picture of a rabbit to honor their belief that a rabbit is on the face of the moon.

The families ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal and feasted on roasted pig, harvested fruit and the “moon cakes.�?It was believed that during the 3-day festival, flowers would fall from the moon and those that saw the flowers would soon receive good fortune.

According to the legend, Chung Ch’ui also celebrated another special occasion. China had been conquered by enemy armies who took control and left the Chinese homeless and with no food. Many people starved, so in order to free themselves, they decided to attack the invaders.

The women baked special moon cakes which were distributed to every family. In each cake was a secret message which contained the time for the attack. When the time came the invaders were surprised and easily defeated. Now every year moon cakes are eaten in memory of this victory.

The Hebrews
Jewish families also celebrate a harvest festival called Sukkoth. This autumn festival has been celebrated for over 3000 years.

Sukkoth is known by 2 names �?STRONG> Hag ha Succot �?the Feast of the Tabernacles and Hag ha Asif �?the Feast of Ingathering. Sukkoth begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, 5 days after Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish year.

Sukkoth is named for the huts (succots) that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land.

When celebrating Sukkoth, which lasts for 8 days, the Jewish people built small huts of branches which recall the tabernacles of their ancestors. These huts are constructed as temporary shelters, as the branches are not driven into the ground and the roof is covered with foliage which is spaced to let the light in. Inside the huts hang fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, corn and pomegranates. On the first 2 nights of Sukkoth, the families eat their meals in the huts under the evening sky.

The Egyptians
The ancient Egyptians celebrated their harvest festival in honor of Min, their god of vegetation and fertility. The festival was held in the springtime, the Egyptians�?harvest season.

The festival of Min featured a parade in which the Pharaoh took part. After the parade a great feast was held. Music, dancing and sports were also part of the celebration.

When the Egyptian farmers harvested their corn, they wept and pretended to be grief stricken. This was to deceive the spirit which they believed lived in the corn. They feared the spirit would become angry when the farmers cut down the corn where it lived.

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