Secret Oil Rigs In L.A. Revealed
July 26, 2010
Did you know that LA sits on top of the third largest oil field in the country? Scarily enough, covert oil rigs have been built throughout the city, some of which are in sight of schools, farmer’s markets and even a mall! We didn’t believe it ourselves but check out this video exposing the underground network of oilfields and rigs disguised as fake office buildings and a flower-painted sculpture.
But don’t take our word for it, read on to see the video!
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10 Stupid Laws (Possibly Still on the Books)
July 20, 2010
Politicians do some downright stupid things. Sure, we all do. But these are the people who draft our laws — the ones who decide how the rest of us should live and behave. Maybe you consider wars you disagree with to be “stupid” decisions. Perhaps it’s the latest report of infidelity from politicians that’s getting under your skin. But today let’s have some fun and look at the lighter side of government gaffs by exploring some incredibly stupid laws that may still be on the books.
Please note that I am not saying all of these dumb laws are still in effect (or even were). But they’re examples reported for various states in the U.S. and some international laws as well. Maybe they’ll make more sense to you than to me. Or perhaps you’ll also find them good for a laugh.
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Yo, Dude! The Origins of Common Slang Words
July 15, 2010
By: Danielle Samaniego (View Profile)
Slang is defined as an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
In other words, slang can be “a dope spin on a sick word that deserves props for being mad fly, yo.”
And yet, in the age of Twitter and instant messaging, it feels like today’s slang has lost some of its flair. Most of it is boiled down to quick-hit acronyms and shortened terms. Totes (totally), TTYL (Talk to You Later), ridonk (ridiculous)—fun, sure, but while it’s clever to be the force behind “LOL” (laughing out loud), it’s an entirely different level to create a whole dialect ending with “-izzle.” (Thank you, Snoop Dogg.)
Coining original jargon that’s able to catch on with the masses is a feat not just accomplished through popular and hip-hop culture. There are a slew of phrases that have become so commonplace, it’s easy to forget that they’re inherently slang. Here’s a look at some of these words, new and old, that have had an impact on our vernacular.
Dude
So popular it hardly seems like slang, Merriam-Webster defines “dude” as a city dweller unfamiliar with life on the range, an Easterner in the West, and a fellow or guy—sometimes used informally as a term of address. This jargon dates back to the 1880s, according to an article in the New York Times. The article, itself dating back to 1900, states, “Considering the number of German immigrants into the United States, we naturally suspect it to have been suggested by some German dialect. It can hardly be other than an abbreviated form of duden-pop, a blockhead, a common term of depreciation in many parts.”
Bling-Bling
Initially, it was little more than a written sound effect that reflected a shine. But the term was later born out of the hip-hop culture to represent garish jewelry worn in the late 1990s. Members of the Louisiana-based Cash Money Millionaires, a group of rappers from the same label known as Cash Money Records, were among the first to use the phrase in their music. Rapper B.G. used “bling-bling” in a song title as did Lil’ Wayne in the song “Millionaire Dream.” Lil’ Wayne also recorded with Cash Money Records. Since its acceptance, the term has arguably peaked in popularity. I mean, when Mitt Romney starts using “bling-bling,” it reeks of overexposure.
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Top 5 Misconceptions About Technology
July 8, 2010
Technology is everywhere now. We are all surrounded by it and it provided a great comfort in our lives. We are very thankful to those geniuses who had invented great things. But a lot misunderstanding and misconceptions about some technologies.
Here is a list of 5 such technologies about which people have misconceptions.
1. Use of Cell Phones is Dangerous At Gas Stations
We’re sure you have received a lot of emails and messages that say don`t use mobile phones at fuel pumps and gas stations because It could be explosive. Such message were purported to have been sent by Shell Oil. But they have been questioned about it, and they denied it. There has never been a case of explosion due to cell phone usage at Gas stations. Even though it is scientifically impossible, many gas stations around the world have the signs to switch off your cell phone while fueling. Its just a misconception.
2. Web Cookies Are dangerous For Computers
Its a common misconception that web cookies are very dangerous to your PC and should be avoided and deleted immediately. In fact, these cookies are helpful for internet users. unless there is some weak point on your web browser’s security side, these cookies do not harm your computer files. They help you to be logged in to your sites every time you visit. You don`t have to enter your usernames and passwords every time.
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Tumbler Golf Cart
June 30, 2010
This is, apparently, not Christopher Nolan’s golf cart. It’s a custom job done by a huge fan of Nolan’s franchise ridden around by another Warner Brothers employee. And we…don’t…care. We want one. We bet Christopher Nolan wants one.
What’s really impressive is the level of detail. Seriously, not since Kevin Spacey’s “death to Superman” golf cart from “Superman Returns” have we seen a golf cart this awesome. This guy literally thought of everything for this project. It’s got a jet engine, double wheels in the back, all of it.
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