Category: Music Trivia
Details:
Danny Elfman, film director Tim Burton's favourite composer, was a member of "Oingo Boingo" (also known at different times as "The Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo" and "Boingo") The band was best known for the song "Wierd Science", which was written for the John Hughes film of the same name.
Where I learned it:
While passing through the living room where Eddie McGuire, host of Australia's version of "Who wants to be a millionaire", revealed this factoid after having asked a question about the famous composer.
References:
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
provenance
Category: Vocabulary
Details:
n.
Where I learned it:
Used by two different people on two completely different mailing lists on the same day. I just had to look it up.
References:
Details:
n.
- Place of origin; derivation.
- Proof of authenticity or of past ownership. Used of art works and antiques.
Where I learned it:
Used by two different people on two completely different mailing lists on the same day. I just had to look it up.
References:
- "provenance", Dictionary.com
- "provenance", WordWeb
Thursday, May 12, 2005
NURBS
Category: Computer Generated Imaging
Details:
NURBS is an abbreviation of 'Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline'. It is a technique used for generating curves in computer graphics.
Where I learned it:
When trying out the Alias Maya PLE in preparation for some classes.
References:
Details:
NURBS is an abbreviation of 'Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline'. It is a technique used for generating curves in computer graphics.
Where I learned it:
When trying out the Alias Maya PLE in preparation for some classes.
References:
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Scoring off a goal kick
Category: Sporting rules
Details:
Since goal kicks are considered a 'direct free kick', the goal kicker can score directly from one end to the other.
Where I learned it:
During a game between students from my school and another school, the other school scored in such a manner and were awarded the goal. At the time, we thought this was a mistake, however my reading of the rule today proved us wrong.
References:
Details:
Since goal kicks are considered a 'direct free kick', the goal kicker can score directly from one end to the other.
Where I learned it:
During a game between students from my school and another school, the other school scored in such a manner and were awarded the goal. At the time, we thought this was a mistake, however my reading of the rule today proved us wrong.
References:
Monday, May 09, 2005
Sheep have four stomachs
Category: Biology
Details:
Like cows, sheep have four chambers to their stomach, each helping in the digestive process.
Where I learned it:
It somehow came up in a discussion over dinner at "Kaldi's", Ethiopia's answer to Starbucks.
References:
Details:
Like cows, sheep have four chambers to their stomach, each helping in the digestive process.
Where I learned it:
It somehow came up in a discussion over dinner at "Kaldi's", Ethiopia's answer to Starbucks.
References:
Friday, May 06, 2005
Raising Cain
Category: Vocabulary
Details:
To raise Cain:
and Eve, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy.]
Where I learned it:
A.Word.A.Day email.
References:
Details:
To raise Cain:
- To become angry; to reprimand someone angrily.
- To behave in a boisterous manner; to create a commotion.
and Eve, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy.]
Where I learned it:
A.Word.A.Day email.
References:
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Repetition and groups in Regular Expressions
Category: Programming technique
Details:
Regular Expressions are a powerful way to match parts of a section of text. Matching a section of text in a group with a repetition operator match expressions as expected, will only remember the last matched value.
An example in Java:
To get the desired result, use the following instead (changes in red, and note the subtraction of the '+' after the group):
While attempting to extract parts of a date expression in a project I'm working on.
References:
Details:
Regular Expressions are a powerful way to match parts of a section of text. Matching a section of text in a group with a repetition operator match expressions as expected, will only remember the last matched value.
An example in Java:
Matcher m = Pattern.matches("([a-z])+", "abc");When executed, the above will produce the following:
if (m.matches())
for (int i = 1; i < m.groupCount(); i++)
System.out.println("Found: " + m.group(i));
Found: cNot exactly what I had in mind. When you retrieve group 1 after evaluation, you will get "a". Even though the pattern matches successfully, the "a" match is overwritten by "b", which is overwritten by "c".
To get the desired result, use the following instead (changes in red, and note the subtraction of the '+' after the group):
Matcher m = Pattern.matches("\G([a-z])", "abc");This should now produce the following:
while (m.find())
for (int i = 1; i < m.groupCount(); i++)
System.out.println("Found: " + m.group(i));
Found: aWhere I learned it:
Found: b
Found: c
While attempting to extract parts of a date expression in a project I'm working on.
References:
Ball lightning
Category: Scientific Phenomena
Details:
Ball lightning is a phenomena which was once thought to be a myth, but has gained credence in recent times. It usually manifests itself as a smallish (although some Australians have apparently seen one over 100m in diameter) ball of energy moving slowly near ground level. It either disappates or explodes when making its exit.
Some New Zealand scientists may have found the answer to how it forms - basically a combination of silicon and carbon which is really really hot.
Where I learned it:
Today we had an extended period of moderate-strength rain, accompanied by about 30 minutes of non-stop rolling thunder. No lightning was visible, but the sound continued without pause for at least half an hour. When you were outside, you could hear it moving around into different parts of the sky, like a giant bowling ball. I tried to find out what conditions would have caused it, but came up dry. Instead, I discovered the above information.
References:
Details:
Ball lightning is a phenomena which was once thought to be a myth, but has gained credence in recent times. It usually manifests itself as a smallish (although some Australians have apparently seen one over 100m in diameter) ball of energy moving slowly near ground level. It either disappates or explodes when making its exit.
Some New Zealand scientists may have found the answer to how it forms - basically a combination of silicon and carbon which is really really hot.
Where I learned it:
Today we had an extended period of moderate-strength rain, accompanied by about 30 minutes of non-stop rolling thunder. No lightning was visible, but the sound continued without pause for at least half an hour. When you were outside, you could hear it moving around into different parts of the sky, like a giant bowling ball. I tried to find out what conditions would have caused it, but came up dry. Instead, I discovered the above information.
References:
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Black moves first
Category: Game rules
Details:
In checkers, the person playing with black pieces moves first. Who plays with black is chosen at random.
Where I learned it:
During a game, when double-checking the rules as to whether a regular piece can jump diagonally backwards after the first jump (it can't).
References:
Details:
In checkers, the person playing with black pieces moves first. Who plays with black is chosen at random.
Where I learned it:
During a game, when double-checking the rules as to whether a regular piece can jump diagonally backwards after the first jump (it can't).
References:
Monday, May 02, 2005
Sex in 'The Lion King'?
Category: Trivia
Details:
Apparently in one or two scenes in Disney's 'The Lion King' the letters S-E-X are spelled out. This is disputed to be either figments of paranoid parents' imaginations or actually S-F-X (Special FX).
Where I learned it:
A discussion during lunch where one participant accidentally ordered 'chocolate donuts' instead of 'chocolate croissants', leading to malapropisms, anachronisms and Freudian slips, leading to the topic above.
References:
Details:
Apparently in one or two scenes in Disney's 'The Lion King' the letters S-E-X are spelled out. This is disputed to be either figments of paranoid parents' imaginations or actually S-F-X (Special FX).
Where I learned it:
A discussion during lunch where one participant accidentally ordered 'chocolate donuts' instead of 'chocolate croissants', leading to malapropisms, anachronisms and Freudian slips, leading to the topic above.
References:
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Apostasy
Category: Vocabulary
Details:
"Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause."
Where I learned it:
I was asked what I thought it meant by an English teacher (not the one who told me about velarization). I had an idea of what it meant that turned out to be incorrect when I looked it up.
References:
Details:
"Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause."
Where I learned it:
I was asked what I thought it meant by an English teacher (not the one who told me about velarization). I had an idea of what it meant that turned out to be incorrect when I looked it up.
References:
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Palter
Category: Vocabulary
Details:
palter (PAWL-tuhr) verb intr.
A.Word.A.Day email.
References:
Details:
palter (PAWL-tuhr) verb intr.
- To talk or act in an insincere or deceitful manner.
- To haggle.
A.Word.A.Day email.
References:
Friday, April 29, 2005
Dribbling in Netball
Category: Sport Rules
Details:
You cannot dribble in netball, however there are allowances for bouncing the ball once to gain control. Several variations seem to exist on this rule, however, mostly regarding whether you are allowed to bounce when already in controlled possession of the ball. The 'official rules' are unavailable online without purchase, but variations seem to imply that, officially, bouncing when in controlled possession is legal. Other variations state that you cannot retake possession immediately after bouncing, although another team-mate can.
Where I learned it:
Assisting a netball session in Physical Education class.
References:
Details:
You cannot dribble in netball, however there are allowances for bouncing the ball once to gain control. Several variations seem to exist on this rule, however, mostly regarding whether you are allowed to bounce when already in controlled possession of the ball. The 'official rules' are unavailable online without purchase, but variations seem to imply that, officially, bouncing when in controlled possession is legal. Other variations state that you cannot retake possession immediately after bouncing, although another team-mate can.
Where I learned it:
Assisting a netball session in Physical Education class.
References:
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Velarization
Category: Linguistics
Details:
velarization: tr. verb
"To articulate (a sound) by retracting the back of the tongue toward the soft palate."
Examples: The l sound in bell or milk.
Non-Examples: The l sound in lip or please.
Where I learned it:
A conversation with an English teacher/linguist friend during a game of squash.
References:
Details:
velarization: tr. verb
"To articulate (a sound) by retracting the back of the tongue toward the soft palate."
Examples: The l sound in bell or milk.
Non-Examples: The l sound in lip or please.
Where I learned it:
A conversation with an English teacher/linguist friend during a game of squash.
References:
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
The three great virtues of a programmer
Category: Quote
Details:
"...the three great virtues of a programmer: laziness, impatience, and hubris."
- Larry Wall, Programming Perl (1st Edition), O'Rielly & Associates
Where I learned it:
Used by a programmer in self-defence on a product mailing list.
Sources:
Details:
"...the three great virtues of a programmer: laziness, impatience, and hubris."
- Larry Wall, Programming Perl (1st Edition), O'Rielly & Associates
Where I learned it:
Used by a programmer in self-defence on a product mailing list.
Sources:
Monday, April 25, 2005
The Doctor gets 13 lives
Category: TV Trivia
Details:
I was aware that "The Doctor" of the "Dr Who" TV series gets to 'regenerate', thus extending his lifespan and allowing the producers to cast a new Doctor when necessary. I didn't know that he only gets to do it 12 times (thus, 13 incarnations). The current Doctor (played by Christopher Eccleston) is number 9, meaning he only has 4 lives left. And there will be a new one this time next year (played by David Tennant). Hopefully the next version survives more than one season...
Where I learned it:
An IM conversation about the state of sci-fi on television.
Sources:
Details:
I was aware that "The Doctor" of the "Dr Who" TV series gets to 'regenerate', thus extending his lifespan and allowing the producers to cast a new Doctor when necessary. I didn't know that he only gets to do it 12 times (thus, 13 incarnations). The current Doctor (played by Christopher Eccleston) is number 9, meaning he only has 4 lives left. And there will be a new one this time next year (played by David Tennant). Hopefully the next version survives more than one season...
Where I learned it:
An IM conversation about the state of sci-fi on television.
Sources:
- Andrew Meredith (Doctor Who fan)
- Wikipedia - The Doctor (Doctor Who) (Encyclopaedia)
And So It Begins...
This blog is as much personal challenge as anything else. It has been said that you learn something new every day. My goal is to record that new piece of knowledge that I acquire here for posterity. One new thing every day.
In aid of this, I have created a new word - circadianoesis - the title of this blog. Its definition is above, so I won't repeat it, but for the etymologically curious, it is a combination of two existing words: circadian (recurring every 24 hours) and noesis (understanding/learning). Yes, this is a combination of Latin- and Greek-rooted words, but I like 'noesis' better than any of the Latin equivalents.
Now, we all hear a lot of stuff every day, be it from friends, books, TV or the Internet. So, here are the ground rules for what is considered to be circadianoesis.
In aid of this, I have created a new word - circadianoesis - the title of this blog. Its definition is above, so I won't repeat it, but for the etymologically curious, it is a combination of two existing words: circadian (recurring every 24 hours) and noesis (understanding/learning). Yes, this is a combination of Latin- and Greek-rooted words, but I like 'noesis' better than any of the Latin equivalents.
Now, we all hear a lot of stuff every day, be it from friends, books, TV or the Internet. So, here are the ground rules for what is considered to be circadianoesis.
- No News is Circadianoesis. Current events can lead to new knowledge, but do not count in and of themselves. Finding out the name of the new pope does not qualify. Digging around and finding out the electoral procedure for selecting a new pope would count.
- Veritas, Veritas! The new knowledge must be verifiable truth. Within a week of being posted, the circadianoesis must have at least two reliable sources to back it up. Sources include:
- Reference texts (encyclopaedia, dictionaries, etc)
- Physical evidence
- Research data
- Quotes from experts in an appropriate field
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