Thursday, October 25, 2007

Wild, Weird Wikipedia

I came across what may well be the bestest Wikipedia entry ever. Ever.

Its humble, unassuming title of Wikipedia: Unusual Articles doesn't convey the scope of awesomosity held within. Hundreds of links to strange, unusual and mostly just really, really interesting Wikipedia articles. This is going to be fodder for a couple of years' worth of blog posts, easy...

Browse the whole (long) article if you have the time, but if you'd rather nibble than feast, here are but a few appetizers:

Chubby Bunnies, a fun (if occasionally lethal) game played with marshmallows.

Forest Swastika - Just like the name says.

Manhattanhenge (as well as a separate article on Carhenge, Foamhenge and other Stonehenge replicas and derivatives)

Placeholder names (for things -- like whatchamacallits, doohickeys, and thingamabobs, for people-- like Joe Schmoe or Frick and Frack, and for places -- like Anytown, USA and BFE)

Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116, which a Swedish couple named their child in 1996. They claim the name is pronounced "Albin".

Exploding Head Syndrome - Some people hear a massive explosion that wakes them up after being asleep for an hour or two.

Human Mail (as in mailing a human via the postal system as a means of transportation)

List of Problems Solved by MacGyver, and I heard the list was constructed using only a paper clip, three shirt buttons and a soldering iron.

The Eye of Argon, popularly known as "the worst science fiction story ever written".

As Slow As Possible, a piece of music by John Cage to be performed until 2640.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease - Sure, having pee that smells like Mrs. Butterworth's sounds great, but it's really not all it's cracked up to be.

I'm just scratching the surface here. The list in its entirety is worth a look. Enjoy.

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1 comment:

Janet said...

Regarding the human mail article, remember "The Gift", from Velvet Underground's White Light, White Heat album. Sometimes a plan just doesn't all go well at all....

Click below for Waldo's sad sad story:

http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/The-Gift-lyrics-Velvet-Underground/FFCDE7F0A94C7390482569880028A3DE