Daddy Longlegs Fossil Keeps Erection for 99 Million Years
The harvestman pictured above, a spider also known as a daddy longlegs, was encased in amber during the Cretaceous in what is now Myanmar. Its distinctive penis, with a heart-shaped tip and a bit of a twist at the end, was erect at the time.
Now, I’m not scared of spiders, but living in Australia does give you a certain regard for the more aggressive or potent species that loiter in the garden—the sly ones that crawl into shoes carelessly discarded at the door, lurk in upturned buckets or squat in whatever they can squeeze their crunchy prosoma into.
It’s reasonable to say that most Australians are broadly familiar with arachnids: the milking of funnel-webs, peering into dunnies and the need to belt your boots before you slip them on. We’ve heard the horror stories and know the brands to watch out for.
But a spider with a penis? An erect penis? That throws the whole incy-wincy paradigm of fangs and Mortein on its head. Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful.
www.livescience.com/53583-daddy-longlegs-fossil-with-erect-penis.html
The harvestman pictured above, a spider also known as a daddy longlegs, was encased in amber during the Cretaceous in what is now Myanmar. Its distinctive penis, with a heart-shaped tip and a bit of a twist at the end, was erect at the time.
Now, I’m not scared of spiders, but living in Australia does give you a certain regard for the more aggressive or potent species that loiter in the garden—the sly ones that crawl into shoes carelessly discarded at the door, lurk in upturned buckets or squat in whatever they can squeeze their crunchy prosoma into.
It’s reasonable to say that most Australians are broadly familiar with arachnids: the milking of funnel-webs, peering into dunnies and the need to belt your boots before you slip them on. We’ve heard the horror stories and know the brands to watch out for.
But a spider with a penis? An erect penis? That throws the whole incy-wincy paradigm of fangs and Mortein on its head. Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful.
www.livescience.com/53583-daddy-longlegs-fossil-with-erect-penis.html
Madame du Barry - the last maîtresse-en-titre
Fabulously beautiful, Madam du Barry was the last official mistress of King Louis XV of France. She is also the last Maitresse-en-titre of France since the successors of Louis XV did not continue this tradition.
What is a maîtresse-en-titre?
The maîtresse-en-titre was the chief mistress of the king of France. It was a semi-official position which came with its own apartments. The title came into use during the reign of Henry IV and continued until the reign of Louis XV.
From the reign of Louis XIV, the term has been applied, both in translation ("official mistress") and in the original French, to refer to the main mistress of any monarch or prominent man when his relationship with her is not clandestine, e.g. Vibeke Kruse, Jeanne Baptiste d'Albert de Luynes, Lola Montez, Magda Lupescu.
Origin: Mid 19th century ; earliest use found in William Thackeray (1811–1863), novelist. Apparently from French maîtresse en titre (although this expression not recorded in French dictionaries) from maîtresse + en titre.
http://www.palaces-of-europe.com/madame-du-barry.html
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/maitresse_en_titre
What is a maîtresse-en-titre?
The maîtresse-en-titre was the chief mistress of the king of France. It was a semi-official position which came with its own apartments. The title came into use during the reign of Henry IV and continued until the reign of Louis XV.
From the reign of Louis XIV, the term has been applied, both in translation ("official mistress") and in the original French, to refer to the main mistress of any monarch or prominent man when his relationship with her is not clandestine, e.g. Vibeke Kruse, Jeanne Baptiste d'Albert de Luynes, Lola Montez, Magda Lupescu.
Origin: Mid 19th century ; earliest use found in William Thackeray (1811–1863), novelist. Apparently from French maîtresse en titre (although this expression not recorded in French dictionaries) from maîtresse + en titre.
http://www.palaces-of-europe.com/madame-du-barry.html
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/maitresse_en_titre
Who discovered oxygen in 1774?
answer is the next blog headline!
answer is the next blog headline!
Trivia Zoo fundraisers are superior to other trivia nights because we use PowerPoint* slideshows loaded with quality graphics. Our questions are closely vetted to ensure all ages and skill levels are accommodated. Questions are culturally respectful and inclusive and we can get the package to you instantly via secure email.
*If you don't have PowerPoint it doesn't matter. We supply a link to PowerPoint Viewer - a free download from Microsoft.com
*If you don't have PowerPoint it doesn't matter. We supply a link to PowerPoint Viewer - a free download from Microsoft.com
ultracrepidarian
adjective
noting or pertaining to a person who criticizes, judges, or gives advice outside the area of his or her expertise
