Proof of the Pudding

We used to be told that blotting paper was the stuff you looked for in vain while your fountain pen ink was drying.  In similar vein, we believe that pudding is what you look forward to while eating your Beef Wellington  -  thus making absolutely sure that you will not be able to eat the pudding.

If cookery is close to your heart (and alcohol close to your liver) the rash of celebrity chefs on your television set will not have escaped your attention.   But the Philip Harbens and Fanny Craddocks of yesteryear have given way to a new breed of chef  - net-savvy chefs who boast slick websites, personal blogs and Twitter accounts.

This being the case, we feel that it is our duty to bring their offerings to your table.  So, for starters, why not help us by checking out the Food & Drink category here on WebWatch2000  (http://www.webwatch2000.com/portal/food-drink/) 

Bon appétit

Arrows and Bananas

It is said that ‘truth flies like an arrow’. 

Now, the more perceptive amongst you will have spotted that this opening sentence is just a cheap excuse for the next one, which goes “But fruit flies like a banana.” (The old gags are still the best!)

So, on the subject of fruit flies, we have often thought (when at a bit of a loose end) that an interesting examination question for A-Level English Language might go along the following lines:

     “Truth flies like an arrow.

      But fruit flies like a banana.

      Discuss”

That’s not an entirely frivolous idea. Just think of the scope for analysing the role of the pun in English literature, and also the problems created by the ambiguity of words that can have a variety of meanings or even can serve as different parts of speech, according to circumstances.

I mean, why else would lawyers use words like ‘aforesaid’, ‘hereinafter’ and ‘hithertofore’? Well, of course, they use them because they are words that can mean only one thing. (If only we knew what it was!)

And another thing .......

Zzzzzzzzzz .......

OK, wake up at the back there.

More seriously, while we are being a bit philosophical about truth, what actually is truth? Is it my truth or your truth? Or is it neither of those? Perhaps that is something we may never know.

But what we probably can know is what the majority of people believe - not quite the same thing as truth but perhaps almost as important. And that is where opinion polls come in. Well, that is one reason for opinion polls. Another is that they can provide us with a bit if a laugh!

So, if you are still with us, why don’t you let us have your comments on what kind of poll would you like to see us run here on WebWatch2000?

We have had a few thoughts on the subject. For example:

1. What is the meaning of life? (Let’s start with the easy questions!)

2. Are online polls a waste of time? (No bias here!)

3. Why did Prime Minister Thatcher introduce a tax on polls?

Let us know what you think!

Time's Up!

For those of you whose hobbies include quantum mechanics, special relativity and time travel - yes, all of you! - please note that Einstein’s Theory of Relativity may not be all that it is cracked up to be. 

News of recent research at CERN suggests that while E definitely equals something-or-other, it might not quite be M x C squared!  This is because neutrinos might, just possibly, travel faster than light - thus messing up the entire theory.

With this in mind, and our thanks to Tom Whipple of The Times, here is a (sort of) funny story on the subject:

“We don’t allow faster than light neutrinos in here”, the barman says.  A neutrino walks into a bar.  (Think about it!)

OK, please yourself!

                       _________________________________

Meanwhile, why not catch up on your quantum physics with a trip to the WebWatch2000 books section.  Or, even better, check out the work of Professor Brian Cox at Amazon.co.uk.  Just click on the link below:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/books/ and type Brian Cox into the search box.

Stumbling On

‘Serendipity’.   There’s a useful word.  It’s probably one that you use all the time – and your friends love you for it!  (Or maybe they just regard you as a bit of a smarty-boots!)

All right!  We can save you the trouble of reaching down your dusty old Oxford English Dictionary.  Serendipity means an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident!

And, believe it or not, someone has based a very successful international multimillion-dollar internet business on this very concept.   No it’s not serendipity.com (although someone will no doubt have registered that name, long long ago)  It is called ‘StumbleUpon’ and you have probably signed up already.  If not, you should try it.  It works, sort of, like this.

If your best mate is totally nuts about Manchester United, and you come across a really interesting reference to Man U on the internet, you might tell him about it or email him with a web-link to the article in question.  Or if your cousin Flo collects Womble dolls, and you spot a funny story about Wombles, you might send her a text message, drawing her attention to the story.

The idea behind StumbleUpon is that, if lots of people know what things really interest you, they can all tell you about all the things they have come across in your particular areas of interest.  So your exposure to happy accidental discoveries is multiplied many times over!  There are in fact about 15 million members of StumbleUpon.com out there to help you find those happy discoveries.

You will find links to StumbleUpon and lots of other useful social networking sites in the WebWatch2000 social media networking category (http://www.webwatch2000.com/portal/social-media-networks/)

A Brief History of Thyme!

The name Thyme comes from the Greek thymos meaning spirit or smoke. Properties attributed to thyme by the Greeks included the giving of valour and restoring vigour. The Romans also attributed these qualities, their soldiers bathing in it before battle to gain vigour, strength and courage.

Later, in the Middle Ages, Knights would have a sprig of thyme embroidered on their scarves by their lady as a sign of their bravery.
Its use is recorded yet earlier, by the Sumerians who used it as an antiseptic. The Egyptians used it their mummification brew.


The sweet smell of thyme was enjoyed by the ancient Greeks and Romans to whom it was a compliment to “smell of thyme”. It was recorded by the Greeks that it produced the best honey in Athens
Sprigs of thyme were placed on coffins of the dead. It was thought that the spirit would then take up residence in the flowers of thyme plants.


Our thanks for this information go to the vastly informative ‘Herb Spiral’ website (http://www.theherbspiral.com) which is listed in our Herbal Medicine category (see http://www.webwatch2000.com/portal/Health-Fitness/Alternative-Medicine/ ) as well as our Home Cooking category (see http://www.webwatch2000.com/portal/Food-Drink/Home-Cooking/)