The more you know…

Did you know that the yarmulke is the closest living relative of the headphone?

Fossil evidence has been found for 5 intermediate lifeforms (b-f) between the most recent common ancestor (a) and the modern headphone (g).*



* This figure is actually from Pruppacher & Klett, 2004. Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation, Kluwer Academic Publishers. It shows how large raindrops can break up as they are subjected to drag forces while falling. Apparently in low-turbulence falls, drops can get up to about 4.5mm before this breakup mechanism kicks in.

academician, n.

Pronunciation: /əˌkadəˈmɪʃn/

1. A made-up word with extra syllables to make academics sound more learnèd.

See also: ponce.

• For the record, I know it's a real word that's been in use since the 1600s. I still think it is silly to us a word like this when "academic" is perfectly serviceable.

What, each?

From the Toronto Star's website tonight:

fortnight, n.

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔːtnaɪt/

A night on which I build a fortress out of the couch cushions. Synonyms: weeknight.