"Codec" (used to shrink and play video files) may stand for coder/decoder or compressor/decompressor.
When hoisting a flag that is to be displayed at half-mast, it should be hoisted to the finial for an instant, then lowered to half-mast. In some countries, a "half-mast" flag is still flown exactly one flag's height down from its normal position, and no lower, to allow for this flag of death.
"Mountain Dew" was originally Southern and/or Irish slang for moonshine whiskey. Early advertisements and bottles featured the iconic cartoon "Willy the Hillbilly". Currently, the recipe for Mountain Dew varies by region. In Canada, it is caffeine-free by default.
Nye got his character name after he attempted to correct the host of Almost Live! who pronounced "gigawatt" as "jigowatt." The host replied, "Who do you think you are - Bill Nye the Science Guy?"
This is a type of metanalysis known as rebracketing. Other similar examples include "newt" (
an eute taken for
a neute) and "nickname" (
an eke name [an additional name] taken for
a neke name).
The "black" in blacksmith refers to the layer of oxides that form on the metal during heating. Whitesmiths do the majority of their work on cold metal. The term whitesmith also applies to metalworkers who do only finishing work ? such as filing or polishing ? on iron and other "black" metals. The "smith" in blacksmith comes from "smite" (to hit).
The term "honey moon" originated with the Norse practice of consuming large quantities of Mead (a beverage made from fermented honey) during the first month of a marriage.
St. Patrick is also credited with banishing snakes from Ireland, chasing them into the sea after they attacked him during a 40-day fast. However, all evidence suggests that post-glacial Ireland never had snakes.
British Tory press sometimes depicted Napoleon as much smaller than average height. There was also confusion due to the French inch being slightly longer than the British inch (Napoleon was 5'2" by French measurements). In addition, Napoleon surrounded himself with tall bodyguards and had a nickname of "le petit caporal" which was an affectionate term that reflected his reported camaraderie with his soldiers rather than his height.
Robert Wadlow's growth was due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland resulting in increased secretion of human growth hormone. In 1936 he toured with the Ringling Brothers Circus. He died at the age of 22 from an infection caused by his leg braces.
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