Are there any completely random questions you've always wondered about? Throw them out to the collective intellect of the Pendraken Forum!
Here's mine:
- Why does America have such large street numbers, surely there aren't 3040 houses on a single street? Does the number relate to the block, or area, or something like that?
- With our new influx of Spanish members, I'm curious as to why Spanish folk tend to have (and use) several middle names? Is it a tradition? Are all the names used in everyday life?
Quote from: Leon on 15 March 2012, 03:44:30 PM
- Why does America have such large street numbers, surely there aren't 3040 houses on a single street? Does the number relate to the block, or area, or something like that?
Some streets in North America are in fact very long, 20 or 30 km withing a single municipality is not odd. There are other features about numbering systems that can lead to not every number being used; and with only 4 digits 3040 is not remarkable. I recall 5 digit numbers up Younge street in Toronto.
Update: and while I expect it varies a lot by jurisdiction, here's an example from Manitoba.
http://www.amm.mb.ca/PDF/Resources/CivicAddressingStandard.PDF
"Why does America have such large street numbers?"
There has to be a joke there somewhere... Chad! Any ideas? ;D
Quote from: Leon on 15 March 2012, 03:44:30 PMsurely there aren't 3040 houses on a single street?
An American: A person who believes a hundred years is a long time.
A European: A person who believes a hundred miles is a long way.
Or in this case, a long street.
Quote from: lentulus on 15 March 2012, 04:39:11 PM
http://www.amm.mb.ca/PDF/Resources/CivicAddressingStandard.PDF
This is the kind of thing I wondered might be in use in the US:
Specific Example:
10080 Road 95NW Unit A
Southlands
Reading the address location:
The Civic Address is located on the south side (even number) of Road 95 NW (95 miles north of the International Border). The residence is between the 10th and 11th mile block west of the Principal Meridian 800 metres west of the 10th mile block. The number 080 within the mile block, indicates the actual distance in 10's of metres (800m) from the beginning of the block.
The Unit Identifier is Unit A, specifying which one of the significant buildings or dwellings at that site is being sought. The address is completed with an official Community Name. If Canada Post uses the address as an official mailing address the Postal Code can be added and it becomes part of the Standard Provincial Civic Address....which makes sense and would be a lot easier to use than some of the numbering I've seen in the UK.
The thing with the US big numbers is that I can't remember seeing one less than 4 digits, every street can't be 30km long!
Quote from: lentulus on 15 March 2012, 04:55:52 PM
An American: A person who believes a hundred years is a long time.
A European: A person who believes a hundred miles is a long way.
:D
Why aren't PC screens A4 shaped (portrait or landscape)?
Why is there a 'sport' section at the end of the news programmes?
Why don't we insist on our place of work being run democratically?
Why do people think its funny when they don't know things?
Why do road planners put traffic lights on roundabouts (thereby invalidating the point of the roundabout)?
Why do all the bad things taste good?
If we landed there in 1969, why haven't we returned to the Moon?
If many hands make light work, how come too many cooks spoil the broth?
Why is TV so full of relentless, negative crap?
Why do we all speak different languages?
Why do the doors (and sometimes the stall walls) in toilets not reach the floor/ceiling?
Why is Scotland so small on the BBC weather maps?
Why do we use Centigrade when the temperature is cold, and Fahrenheit when its hot?
Why are the TV adverts so LOUD?
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why aren't PC screens A4 shaped (portrait or landscape)?
My old laptop wasn't far off, but if you're using Word you need the space for toolbars, etc.? I suppose the original computer monitors were the same ratio/size as TV screens.
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why do road planners put traffic lights on roundabouts (thereby invalidating the point of the roundabout)?
I hate this! They've been doing it at every roundabout in Boro for years now, and in the past 6 months, they've taken two roundabouts out and replaced them completely with lights. It's slowed down 90% of the traffic to make it better for the 10%.
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
If we landed there in 1969, why haven't we returned to the Moon?
Well... there's a couple of theories... ;) :D
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why do the doors (and sometimes the stall walls) in toilets not reach the floor/ceiling?
From my time in pubs/clubs, it was to make sure a) no-one had passed out drunk, b) weren't doing drugs, c) weren't participating in any 'stall-sports', etc.
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why are the TV adverts so LOUD?
This is getting more and more common now, so much so that I wonder if it's actually the TV that's gone wonky, or actually my hearing! Certain channels seem to be worse than others.
1) Why is polygamy fairly common and polyandry almost unknown, when women have a far higher capacity for orgasms than men?
2) Why have commercial music and commercial food been so successful at gaining ground at the expense of the real thing?
3) Why is democracy still praised and defended in the world which saw it give us Hitler?
4) Why does religion still exist among a species which is capable of asking the obvious questions if it tries?
5) Why did Stanley Kubrick never win the best director award at that film club in Los Angeles?
6) Why do the other kids put up with Cartman?
Especially the last one.
QuoteWith our new influx of Spanish members, I'm curious as to why Spanish folk tend to have (and use) several middle names? Is it a tradition? Are all the names used in everyday life?
From what I understand, at least in Latin America, the names are a combination of the mother and father's last names. Traditionally the father's name comes first in the last name sequence. For example, if one's name is Juan Antonio Garcia Lopez, Juan Antonio is the first name, the father's family name is Garcia and the mother's family name is Lopez.
EDIT: Quote fixed.
Quote from: Shecky on 16 March 2012, 01:37:27 AM
From what I understand, at least in Latin America, the names are a combination of the mother and father's last names. Traditionally the father's name comes first in the last name sequence. For example, if one's name is Juan Antonio Garcia Lopez, Juan Antonio is the first name, the father's family name is Garcia and the mother's family name is Lopez.
Ahhh, that makes sense!
8)
Quote from: FierceKitty on 16 March 2012, 01:26:10 AM
4) Why does religion still exist among a species which is capable of asking the obvious questions if it tries?
Because there are also a lot of people of faith who are asking why don't others realise that God exists when the obvious questions point to him/her as the answer. :)
But, with less tongue in my cheek, you have hit on one of the questions that seem to point to a deity. It makes no sense that civilsed humanity should believe in something that they can't see and, for many, seems to have no effect on their lives yet throughout history and across the globe millions of people have done and still do. Perhaps there is something built into our make-up that needs the existance of someone greater than us. And if that is the case, why is it there? How does that fit in with our evolution?
If music be the food of love, why don't rabbits sing? :D
Chad
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why aren't PC screens A4 shaped (portrait or landscape)?
In the Mid 90's I had a Pc Business and at a Trade show one of the companies had an A4 screen that you could revolve
it 90 degrees so it could be "Portrait or Landscape". It required a special video card and that would not work with
other screens. Its lack of compatability was its downfall I suspect. It was much easier to read documents on though.
QuoteWhy is there a 'sport' section at the end of the news programmes?
If it was at the beginning 50% of the poulation would not watch the rest of the news.
QuoteWhy don't we insist on our place of work being run democratically?
Because society now believes that Democracy is the best way of running everything (which is quite possibbly may not be the case)
QuoteWhy do people think its funny when they don't know things?
Because they are too stupid to realise that its not.
QuoteWhy do road planners put traffic lights on roundabouts (thereby invalidating the point of the roundabout)?
To fulfil the promises they made to the Traffic light company in return for the bribe
QuoteWhy do all the bad things taste good?
If they tasted bad they would be good ??
QuoteIf we landed there in 1969, why haven't we returned to the Moon?
Did we actually land on the moon ?????
QuoteIf many hands make light work, how come too many cooks spoil the broth?
Cooks never agree
QuoteWhy is TV so full of relentless, negative crap?
So that the those that will sit there and watch relentless crap think thier lives are better than they are, Rather then turning of the TV and actually going to do something to improve thier lives
QuoteWhy do we all speak different languages?
Because some societies have not progressed to English
QuoteWhy do the doors (and sometimes the stall walls) in toilets not reach the floor/ceiling?
In case people collapse in them/ discourage thier use for knee trembler sex/discourage drug use
QuoteWhy is Scotland so small on the BBC weather maps?
The BBC don't think Scotland is important
QuoteWhy do we use Centigrade when the temperature is cold, and Fahrenheit when its hot?
A large part of society are not capable of worlking out that 32F is freezing
QuoteWhy are the TV adverts so LOUD?
So you can hear them while making a cup of tea.
Quote from: Just a few Orcs on 16 March 2012, 09:41:12 AM
So you can hear them while making a cup of tea.
Does make you jump tho' !
Especially after you've whacked up the volume 'cos you can't hear the program you're trying to watch.
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PM
Why are the TV adverts so LOUD?
Why are TV programmes so quiet ?
1. Why do wide-screen movies not fit wide-screen TVs?
2. Why does Sellotape always try to stick to itself rather than what you want to stick?
3. Who convinced Dido that she could sing?
why do i always click the previous/next button on this forum to move to next page when it actually will take me to the next thread..... ? >:(
Quote from: capthugeca on 16 March 2012, 07:26:44 AM
Because there are also a lot of people of faith who are asking why don't others realise that God exists when the obvious questions point to him/her as the answer. :)
But, with less tongue in my cheek, you have hit on one of the questions that seem to point to a deity. It makes no sense that civilsed humanity should believe in something that they can't see and, for many, seems to have no effect on their lives yet throughout history and across the globe millions of people have done and still do. Perhaps there is something built into our make-up that needs the existance of someone greater than us. And if that is the case, why is it there? How does that fit in with our evolution?
The Final Proof of the non-Existence of God was proved by a Babel Fish.
Now, it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mind-bogglingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some have chosen to see it as the final proof of the NON-existence of God. The argument goes something like this:
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."
"But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves that You exist, and so therefore, by Your own arguments, You don't. QED"
"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
"Oh, that was easy," says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next zebra crossing. "
:D
Quote from: Luddite on 15 March 2012, 06:32:03 PMWhy don't we insist on our place of work being run democratically?
Because when it's tried, everyone votes to not work and get paid anyway.
Why is going 'sans scuddies' called 'Going Commando'? :-\
Why does bottled water have a use by date? When bys its own admision its thousands of years old.
Why, when a single light bulb blows in the living room, am I pitched into darkness as the trip switch turns off every light in the entire house?
Where the hell is the ANY key ?
IanS
Quote from: Leon on 16 March 2012, 05:59:48 PM
Why, when a single light bulb blows in the living room, am I pitched into darkness as the trip switch turns off every light in the entire house?
That'll be because the trip on your lighting circuit is too sensitive. You need change it to a differently rated one.
Don't ask me how to figure out what you need though 8-}
Cheers,
Kev
Quote from: Squirrel on 17 March 2012, 08:39:59 AM
That'll be because the trip on your lighting circuit is too sensitive. You need change it to a differently rated one.
Don't ask me how to figure out what you need though 8-}
Ah right, when Dave had an extension built, the electrician told him it had to be wired like that for Health & Safety reasons?
I think Kev's right....and so was your electrician.
It's just a circuit breaker.....isn't it ?....To stop you potentially electrocuting yourself....FAR more likely if you're using electric hedge cutters/lawnmowers/chainsaws etc and you scythe through the flex.
Very possibly lethal if the ground's damp/wet and the 'box' doesn't instantly kill the current.
Why....when some bulbs blow they trip the circuit breaker...and other times they don't... is a complete mystery to me.
Cheers - Phil
I think I remember him saying it was so that when the light bulb blew, you couldn't electrocute yourself putting a new bulb in, cos the power was out. My argument was that I'd find it pretty difficult to find the kitchen cupboard, let alone a bulb, when the whole house is in darkness... :-\
Quote from: Leon on 17 March 2012, 05:28:45 PM
Ah right, when Dave had an extension built, the electrician told him it had to be wired like that for Health & Safety reasons?
Question is, did he add another circuit to the board or extend an existing one? Wherever it is, it must be near the limit of it's load.
Quote from: lentulus on 18 March 2012, 12:59:42 AM
Question is, did he add another circuit to the board or extend an existing one? Wherever it is, it must be near the limit of it's load.
Not sure, I'd have to ask Dave about that. It's the same in my own place though, which has been completely rewired as far as I know.
Odd.
:-\
Quote from: Leon on 17 March 2012, 09:37:33 PM
I think I remember him saying it was so that when the light bulb blew, you couldn't electrocute yourself putting a new bulb in, cos the power was out. My argument was that I'd find it pretty difficult to find the kitchen cupboard, let alone a bulb, when the whole house is in darkness... :-\
Sorry Leon....Didn't explain that very well..
at all....
The only thing I could suggest is that you have a 'plug in' table lamp (of sorts) ready to switch on, if the trip for the 'ceiling' lights knocks those
all out, then at least you can switch the table lamp on and have
some sort of illumination, rather than being in total darkness.
Or...when the lights go out..do you loose power in the entire house on every circuit ? That shouldn't really be the case.
Cheers - Phil.
Quote from: Techno on 18 March 2012, 06:54:14 AM
Sorry Leon....Didn't explain that very well..at all....
The only thing I could suggest is that you have a 'plug in' table lamp (of sorts) ready to switch on, if the trip for the 'ceiling' lights knocks those all out, then at least you can switch the table lamp on and have some sort of illumination, rather than being in total darkness.
Or...when the lights go out..do you loose power in the entire house on every circuit ? That shouldn't really be the case.
Cheers - Phil.
Why don't you just keep a torch within easy reach? ;)
Why do car headlights seem to be a lot brighter than 10 years ago?
Because Halogens are more readily available (and lead fumes have scorched your retina)!
Quote from: mad lemmey on 18 March 2012, 06:27:36 PM
Because Halogens are more readily available (and lead fumes have scorched your retina)!
=O
Cheers,
Kev
I'm not sure if very many of you will play such difficult and sophisticated games as 'minesweeper' on the computer...
....(and I'm obviously showing of here that I can cope with this awesome level of technology ;))...but my question is this...
When you reach a point in the game that there's just a 50/50 chance of hitting a mine....How come you pick the sodding thing 9 times out of 10 ? >:(
Cheers - Phil.
For the same reason that the bread always lands butter-side down, Phil. ;D
Why does saying 'anything but a 1', guarantee you'll roll a 1?
I refer the Honourable Member to the previous answer given by the Right Honourable Member for Hertsblue. ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: Techno on 24 March 2012, 06:38:55 AM
I'm not sure if very many of you will play such difficult and sophisticated games as 'minesweeper' on the computer...
I think you need to upgrade your gaming:
http://www.addictinggames.com/funny-games/kittencannon.jsp (http://www.addictinggames.com/funny-games/kittencannon.jsp)
(Up and down arrows for the angle, spacebar to fire!)
:D
YOU know I play 'Call of Duty'.....Even if it's only on a PSP..... ;D ;D ;D
And I'm completely poop at it.....Especially when it comes down to shooting down planes....They won't keep bloody still !...Sods ! ;)
I prefer the simple life...Like Pacman...and Asteroids.....I'm too old and impatient for the 'other stuff'. ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Does everyone who plays Tombola Bingo online really spend their lives abseiling, doing drama classes, holding beach parties and horse riding with all their numerous and happy friends ?