Languages Fading Away

There are an estimated 6,500 languages in the world and half or more of them could cease to exist by 2100.

Languages are dying out around the globe through globalization, social change, and a shift in populations from rural areas to cities. Of the 6,500 languages estimated to be still in use, only 11 are spoken by half the world’s population, and 95 percent of the languages are spoken by less than five percent of the global population.

Wordology

Grawlix is the term for a string of typographical symbols, especially "@#$%&!", used to represent an obscenity or swearword. Also, a series of violence related images in a speech bubble to represent obscenity or swearwords. It was likely coined by cartoonist Mort Walker in the 1960s. He penned Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois comic strips.

Bacon Peanut Butter Cups

 Delicious Milk Chocolate, Creamy All Natural Peanut Butter, Yummy Bacon are combined in these.

Giant peanut butter cups are filled with all natural peanut butter and yummy Applewood smoked bacon with no nitrates or nitrites and no preservatives. Each cup is 4" across and weighs 6 oz. They can be ordered on the web at LINK.

Origin of Tea Bags

In 1904, tea bags were invented accidentally. The inventor was a tea merchant named Thomas Sullivan. He decided that it was cheaper to send small samples to prospective customers in silk bags, rather than boxes. The recipients mistakenly believed they were meant to be dunked and Sullivan was overrun with orders for his tea bags.

Debunking the Aluminum Foil Myth

The old myth was that aluminum foil and cookware is linked to Alzheimer's Disease. It has been around since the 1980s

This myth has its roots in research from the 1960s and 1970s that showed elevated levels of aluminum in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. For years people were warned off of aluminum pots and pans, and even aluminum foil to store food.

Since those studies a great deal of research has been done into what possible connections aluminum may have with Alzheimer's Disease, and failed to show any substantive link or connection between aluminum and risk for Alzheimer's Disease.

Most experts now believe any aluminum absorbed by the body is processed by the kidneys, urinated out, and it does not pose a threat for Alzheimer's Disease.

China and USA Facts

China produced 19.8 percent of all the goods consumed in the world last year while the United States only produced 19.4 percent.

The U.S. trade deficit with China in 2010 was 27 times larger than it was back in 1990.

World Newspapers

Here is a site that you can go to and choose the paper from your hometown and read it as if you had it delivered. LINK  Was at the site on Feb 16 and found that the 'Top Ten' papers each had a picture and article about the new basketball favorite Jeremy Lin. Not surprising, he even made it to the front page of the Daily News in Taipei and Chongging Times in China.

If you read six or eight papers, you will be amazed that many articles are almost word-for-word, regardless of city or state as they are mostly taken from the top three news sources. Too bad we are losing independent thoughts from the media. Luckily the Internet, with all its diversity has stepped in to fill the void.

Reminder Phone Calls

Is it me or is this just strange? Here is a site that you can use to type in a message and have it call you at some specific time to remind you with the message. There is one free try, then there is a charge by the minute. LINK

Happy Friday

Talent is God-given, be humble.
Fame is man-given, be grateful.
Conceit is self-given, beware.

I am humble and grateful to be given another Happy Friday!