Thursday, August 9, 2012

Things Are Not What They Seem ...!

For something a bit different this Thursday, I offer up this collection of some mundane facts that are not what you might think!

Strange I know, but the truth is often more interesting than fiction!

1. A firefly is not a fly – it is a beetle

2. A prairie dog is not a dog – it is a rodent

3. India ink is not from India – it is from China and Egypt

4. A horned toad is not a toad – it is a lizard

5. A lead pencil does not contain lead – it contains graphite

6. A douglas fir is not a fir – it is a pine

7. A silkworm is not a worm – it is a caterpillar

8. A peanut is not a nut – it is a legume

9. A koala bear is not a bear – it is a marsupial

10. An English horn is not English and it isn’t a horn – it is a French alto oboe

11. A guinea pig is not from guinea and it is not a pig – it is a rodent from South America

12. Shortbread is not a bread – it is a thick cookie

13. Dresden China is not from Dresden – it is from Meissen

14. A shooting star is not a star – it is a metorite

15. A funny bone is not a bone – it is the spot where the ulnar nerve touches the humerus

16. Chop suey is not a native Chinese dish – it was invented by Chinese immigrants in California

17. A bald eagle is not bald – it has flat white feathers on its head and neck when mature, and dark feathers when young

18. A banana tree is not a tree – it is a herb

19. A cucumber is not a vegetable – it is a fruit

20. A jackrabbit is not a rabbit – it is a hare

21. A piece of catgut is not from a cat – it is usually made from sheep intestines

22. A Mexican jumping bean is not a bean – it is a seed with a larva inside

23. A Turkish bath is not Turkish – it is Roman

24. A sweetbread is not a bread – it is the pancreas or thymus gland from a calf or lamb

See what I mean? Things are not always what they seem! Take for instance the old saying "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." (cue alarm bells!)

Let's have our coffee out on the patio this morning. Smell that fresh bread baking?

13 comments:

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Goodness - I didn't know that about the cucumber!
Fresh bread? I'll bring the homemade jam!

Momlady said...

Wow, lots of newly learned facts! Coffee sounds good. I'd bring pear butter for the bread but I haven't made any.

linda m said...

Wow, those were some goodies this morning. Especially your comment about the government. So many alarm bells went off that my ears are still ringing lol. Nothing beats the smell of fresh baking bread - I am on my way. Have a great day!

Dizzy-Dick said...

About #5, I believe originally when first invented, it used lead since it was a soft metal that would leave a mark. And about #8, since peanuts grow under ground, they usually are infected with mico-toxins from mold and thus are actually dangerous to eat. (I used to grow them in my garden.) That is why we use almond butter instead of peanut butter at our house (and it tastes better, too).

IanH said...

So this is what happens when you contemplate your navel for too long. Great post!

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I have to admit I didn't know about the 'cukes either!

Learn something new every day!

Thanks for coming over this morning!


Hey Momlady...
I'm looking forward to that pear butter!

Glad you liked the facts today and also glad you could come over this morning!


Hey Linda...
Those alarm bells should go off and the fact that you can hear them means you are paying attention! Good for you!

Glad you liked all the mundane facts!

Many thanks for dropping by today!


Hey Dizzy...
You're probably right about the pencil.

As far as the peanut, guess I'll just have to take my chances. I do like that peanut butter! Tried the almond butter like you said, but it just isn't the same to me!

Thanks, buddy, for coming over this morning!


Hey Ian...
An idle mind can be a dangerous thing!

I try and keep what's left of mine fairly active, though!

Thanks for coming by today!

JO said...

I'm glad I don't eat sweetbread, and I didn't know about the cucumber either. well to be truthful I din't know about a few of those facts. Now I do.

fresh bread yum I have apple butter I can bring.

Anonymous said...

I did know most of those....and you know, it has been forever since I saw a "mexican jumping bean"....I don't think it is legal anymore, perhaps?

I think they worry about spreading the insect the larva hatches into?

Fresh bread would be lovely....but instead, I am finishing a sweater and doing laundry.

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
Don't feel badly. I think that a lot of these facts are not very well known!

Apple butter sounds good, as does all the other goodies this morning!

No wonder I'm getting so fat!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!


Hey Labrys...
Come to think of it, I haven't seen the Mexican Jumping Beans in a long time either!

Just another mystery, I reckon!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Felinae said...

How interesting, I did know some of them, the cucumber being one. I however did not know the silk worm was not a worm.

Thanks, Uncle Hermit :)

Have a great afternoon.
~Felinae~

Selous Scout said...

That last one sent shivers down my back. Made get up and peek out the curtain just to make sure it wasn't true...

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
All manner of new things to learn out there!

I really appreciate you coming over today!


Hey Scout...
It is enough to make you paranoid, that's for sure!

Many thanks for coming by today!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Learned some new things and remembered ones I had heard before, but didn't remember, HJ. And I recall reading that a tomato is a fruit and not a veggie. Seems too hot for fresh baked bread, but sounds so good.