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The Origin of the Phrase” jump on the Bandwagon…” !!!

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Today I found out the origin of the phrase “jump on the bandwagon.”

For those not familiar, when you jump on the bandwagon, it means you begin supporting a hobby, idea, person, etc. after it has become popular or successful.

The word “bandwagon” is the rather unimaginative name for a wagon that carried a circus band. It first appeared in print in the equally unimaginatively titled book The Life of P.T. Barnum, Written by Himself, which was published in 1855:

At Vicksburg we sold all our land conveyances excepting our horses and the ‘band wagon.’

P.T. Barnum is the famous circus owner and showman Phineas T. Barnum. Back then, circuses were known for their showy parades through town before they set up. These parades attracted villagers’ attention and acted as an easy marketing ploy to get people to go to the circus. Bandwagons were part of those parades. Bright and ornamental, they were impossible to miss.

Toward the end of the 1800s, people had caught on to the fact that bandwagons snared an audience’s attention. Politicians started to use bandwagons in parades through towns on their campaign trails. It’s believed that Dan Rice, a famous circus clown, was the first to rent out his bandwagon to a political campaign.

As a campaign became more and more successful, other people and politicians sought to rent seats on the bandwagon and ride it through town. In doing so, they received face time with the public and believed that the success of the original campaign would rub off on them.

There are records of the phrase used in political speeches throughout the 1890s, usually in the form of warning potential voters not to “jump on the opponent’s bandwagon in haste.” Because of the negative connotations associated with the phrase, many didn’t admit to having a bandwagon of their own despite it becoming common.

Over time, the phrase stopped meaning the literal riding of a bandwagon and started to refer to jumping into anything that was popular. It’s unclear exactly when this transition occurred, but Teddy Roosevelt made a reference to it in Letters, 1899, (later published in 1951):

When I once became sure of one majority they tumbled over each other to get aboard the band wagon.

SOURCE:::: http://www.today i foundout.com

Natarajan

This Date in Science…13 March…Discovery Of Uranus…Completely By Accident !!!

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

March 13, 1781. The 7th planet – Uranus – was discovered on this date, completely by accident. British astronomer William Herschel was performing a survey of all the stars that were of magnitude 8 – in other words, too faint to see with the eye – or brighter. That’s when he noticed an object that moved in front of the star background over time, clearly demonstrating it was closer to us than the distant stars. At first he thought he had found a comet, but later realized this object was a new planet in orbit around our sun – the first discovered since ancient times.

Later, it turned out, astronomers learned they had observed Uranus as far back as 1690. But it was Herschel who first realized the true nature of this distant light in our sky.

William Herschel’s famous 40-foot telescope, constructed between 1785 and 1789 at Observatory House in Slough, England. It was the largest telescope in the world for 50 years. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Herschel proposed to name the object Georgium Sidus, after King George III, but those outside of Britain weren’t pleased with the idea. Instead, on the suggestion of astronomer Johann Elert Bode, astronomers decided to follow the convention of naming planets for the ancient gods. Uranus – an ancient sky god, and one of the earliest gods in Greek mythology – was sometimes called Father Sky and was considered to be the son and husband of Gaia, or Mother Earth.

King George III was still pleased, however. As a result of Herschel’s discovery, the king knighted him and appointed him to the position of court astronomer. The pension attached let Herschel quit his day job as a musician and focus his full attention on observing the heavens. He went on to discover several moons around other gas giant planets. He also compiled a catalog of 2,500 celestial objects that’s still in use today.

Voyager 2 gave us our first close-up image of the planet Uranus in 1986. Its images showed a featureless gas giant world.

In 1977, astronomers using the Kuiper Airborne Observatory made another serendipitous discovery – of rings around the planet Uranus. That discovery made Uranus the second known ringed planet in our solar system.

The closest we humans have come to Uranus was in 1986, when the Voyager 2 spacecraft swung by the planet. At its closest, the spacecraft came within 81,500 kilometers (50,600 miles) of Uranus’s cloudtops on Jan. 24, 1986. Voyager 2 radioed thousands of images and voluminous amounts of other scientific data on the planet, its moons, rings, atmosphere, interior and the magnetic environment surrounding Uranus.

Bottom line: British astronomer William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus – first planet to be discovered since ancient times – on March 13, 1781.

source::::: http://www.earthskynews.org

Natarajan

” You Do not Need Money to be Rich…” Watch This Video clip …

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

While everyone you meet is fighting his own battle, some people stride ahead of others by winning their battle with integrity. Varun Pruthi spotted, or rather had a serendipitous encounter with the richest man in the world.

This video is special because I’ve always found Varun’s “God sent me for you” videos a bit cheesy; he could have just handed over the money & be with it. The God angle makes the videos difficult to digest. Thankfully, this visually-impaired samosa seller has better clarity on life than most others.

His words, “What I make with my efforts in enough for me.” shows his character & commitment to hard work.

He may not have the riches of the world, but he has a heart of gold.

SOURCE::: http://www.storypick.com and You Tube

Natarajan

படித்ததில் பிடித்தது….”மூன்றெழுத்து” …

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

நம்ம மொழி செம்மொழி.

#அம்மா மூன்றெழுத்து

#அப்பா மூன்றெழுத்து

#தம்பி மூன்றெழுத்து

#அக்கா மூன்றெழுத்து

#தங்கை மூன்றெழுத்து

#மகன் மூன்றெழுத்து

#மகள் மூன்றெழுத்து

#காதலி மூன்றெழுத்து

#மனைவி மூன்றெழுத்து

#தாத்தா மூன்றெழுத்து

#பாட்டி மூன்றெழுத்து

இவையனைத்தும் அடங்கிய

#உறவு மூன்றெழுத்து

உறவில் மேம்படும்

# பாசம் மூன்றெழுத்து

பாசத்தில் விளையும்

#அன்பு மூன்றெழுத்து

அன்பில் வழியும்

#காதல் மூன்றெழுத்து

காதலில் வரும்

#வெற்றி மூன்றெழுத்து

#தோல்வி யும் மூன்றெழுத்து

காதல் தரும் வலியால்வரும்

#வேதனை மூன்றெழுத்து வேதனையின் உச்சகட்டத்தால்வரும்

#சாதல் மூன்றெழுத்து

சாதலில் பறிபோகும்

#உயிர் மூன்றெழுத்து..

இது நான் எழுதிய

#கவிதை என்றால் மூன்றெழுத்து..

இது

#அருமை என்றால் அதுவும்

மூன்றெழுத்து

#மொக்கை என்றால் அதுவும்

மூன்றெழுத்தே..

#நட்பு என்ற மூன்றெழுத்தால்

இணைந்து இதைப்படித்த அனைவருக்கும் என்

#நன்றி ..

#நன்றி யும் மூன்றெழுத்தே …!

#மூன்று ம்

மூன்றெழுத்தே……..!!!

#இவை அத்துனையும் உள்ளடக்கிய தமிழ் உம்மூன்றெழுத்து…!!

SOURCE:::: unknown… Input from a friend of mine…

Natarajan

” Eat or Be Eaten …” How Some Creatures of Animal Kingdom Defy This Rule of Jungle !!!

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

Animals With Unusual Defense Mechanisms

The rule of the jungle is “eat, or be eaten”, but it fails to take into account the most extraordinary methods some animals employ to avoid being eaten. Some of these methods can be quite extreme or even disgusting, but they are all intriguing nonetheless.

(Some of the images are animated and may take longer to load)

1. Slow Loris

These adorable-looking primates are very slow, making them easy prey for predators. As a response, these tiny creatures developed poison glands, located near the armpits. A threatened Loris will coat itself with the poison, as well as cover its teeth with it. The poison is very powerful and can send predators into anaphylactic shock.

2. The Dormouse

Dormice are tiny rodents that, similarly to geckos, can sacrifice part of their tail to escape predators. The skin of the dormouse’ tail is very loose, so if they’re caught by the tail, it can still escape. However, unlike the gecko – the dormouse can only do this once, as the skin doesn’t grow back, and the tail falls off.

3. African Crested Porcupines

Unlike their North American cousins, the African porcupines have much longer quills, capable of causing serious harm to predators. When threatened, these guys will run backward at an attacker, trying to impale them on the quills. If chased, they will abruptly stop, forcing the predator onto their spiky backs.

4. Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillars

If threatened, the elephant hawk caterpillars change their appearance to resemble a snake.

5. Pygmy Sperm Whales

These are some of the smallest species of whale, making them potentially easy prey. To escape danger, a threatened whale will release an anal “syrup” and stir it in the water to create a cloud of foul-smelling and tasting feces, which it then uses as cover.

6. Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish have some of the most effective camouflage abilities in nature. They can quickly change the color and even texture of their skin to resemble its environment.

7. Texas Horned Lizards

The spikes on its body are not the lizard’s primary defense mechanism – When attacked, these lizards pressure the sinus cavities in their eyes, forcing the blood vessels to burst. The lizard will then shoot a stream of blood at the attacker, from its eyes.

8. Motyxia Sequoiae

One may not notice these millipedes in daylight, but at night, they will use bioluminescence to warn predators away. If the light show doesn’t work, they secrete cyanide from pores along its body.

9. Skunks

With one of the most famous defense mechanisms in the world, skunks have quite a reputation. A threatened individual will spray a mix of sulfur and other chemicals at its attacker. The powerful mix wards off even bears and may cause temporary blindness.

10. Eurasian Roller Bird and Northern Fulmars

Defense Mechanisms

Young, flightless chicks can vomit a foul-smelling liquid at attackers.

11. Bombardier Beetles

Potential predators of the bombardier beetle can be in for a painful surprise. Attacked beetles spray a mixture of enzymes, hydroquinone, and hydrogen peroxide. When the liquid encounters the air, it will catalyze and reach burning temperatures of nearly 100°c (212°f).

12. HairyFrogs

If attacked, the hairy frog will literally break the bones in its toes, forcing them through the skin to be used as claws. When the danger has passed, researchers believe that the bones retract back to place and begin healing.

13. Iberian Ribbed Newts

A threatened Iberian Newt will push its ribs through its chest, covering them in highly toxic poison and using them to fight the attacker back.

14. Stick Insects

When camouflage fails them, some stick insects can spray a liquid that is both foul-smelling as well as a powerful irritant.

15. Sea Cucumbers

Armed with two defense mechanisms, the sea cucumber can go both on offense and defense. When attacked, they can release a powerful and sticky toxin. Alternatively, a sea cucumber will contract its muscles, forcing part of its internal organs out, making it seem like it is already dead.

16. Octopoteuthis Deletron

Besides squirting ink, the Octopoteuthis deletron can also rip off one of its tentacles to allow it time to escape while the predator devours it.

17. Malaysian Exploding Ants

When predators attack these ants, they spray them with a corrosive venom that they store in specialized glands in their abdomen.

18. Opossum

The saying “playing possum” refers to the Opossum’s behavior when it is threatened – it will fall into a temporary comatose-state, making it seems like it is already dead. In addition, they can also spray a foul-smelling green liquid that can deter most predators.

19. Boxer Crabs

Boxer crabs carry small sea anemones in their pincers, making them look like tiny cheerleaders. Don’t let it fool you, the anemones are highly toxic.

20. Potato Beetle Larvae

The larvae of the potato beetle cover themselves with their own feces, which is both malodorous and toxic.

21. Hagfish

Hagfish have been around for nearly 300 million years. They survived thanks to their ability to expel a substance that, when mixed with water becomes sticky, clogging the gills of potential predators and effectively choking them.

22. Flying Fish

The flying fish has one of the most unique ways to avoid predators – it swims at high speeds (37mph) and then jumps out of the water, spreading its large fins and using them as gliders. A glide can be as long as 200 meters (656ft).

H/T: list25.com

SOURCE:::: http://www.ba-bamail.com

Natarajan

” How to Sound Smart While Saying Absolutely Nothing … ” !!!

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

In a hilarious talk capping off a day of new ideas at TEDxNewYork, professional funny person Will Stephen shows foolproof presentation skills to make you sound brilliant — even if you are literally saying nothing. (Full disclosure: This talk is brought to you by two TED staffers, who have watched a LOT of TED Talks.)

Will Stephen has written for New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and CollegeHumor, where he also worked as a staff writer and editor. He is a performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.

This talk was given on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at TEDxNewYork. The theme was “Grand, Central.” For more information, visit http://tedxnewyork.com or follow http://twitter.com/tedxnewyork.

SOURCE:::: You Tube and wwwba-bamail.com

Natarajan

Message For the Day…” Understand the Power of Creator…God…”

March 14, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

The cosmos is a magnificent wonder, a source of continuous amazement. It will impress anyone, whoever you are, as a supreme marvel. When an object has to be made, we know it needs someone with skill, intelligence, and power to make it. Without a maker, it is just impossible. Therefore, how could these visible objects — the sun, moon, stars, and constellations— move and behave as they do without a Supreme Creative Designer? Can they exist and function with any ordinary power? No. After observing the creation with such mighty capabilities, intelligent people can easily infer how immeasurable the power of the Maker must be. Not just that, look at the uniqueness and variety in creation! No one thing is the same as another; no one person resembles another. This can only be the sport (leela) of the phenomenon with limitless glory – God! No lesser power could be the source. From the mystery inherent in creation, understand the Creator.

Sathya Sai Baba

” A Jumbo Jet Made A Tricky Landing on a Short and Narrow Runway …” Why ?

March 13, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

The aircraft which is known as ‘The City of Canberra’ was cheered and applauded by a crowd of thousands as it made a tricky landing on the short and narrow runway.

FUN FRIDAY: Qantas Lands Jumbo Jet in Small Regional Airport

A Qantas jumbo jet has made history by landing at a regional airport in New South Wales to become the first 747-400 in the world to go on display.

The aircraft which is known as ‘The City of Canberra’ was cheered and applauded by a crowd of thousands as it made a tricky landing on the short and narrow runway.

Illawarra Airport’s runway, which is only 1,800 metres, is less than half the length of Sydney Airport’s runways and at just 30 metres wide, the aircraft’s wingspan of 64 metres caused the two engines to hang over the runway’s edge on landing.

The aircraft was retired to Wollongong after 25 years of service, where it will become a prized addition to the aviation museum based at Illawara Regional Airport.

Qantas’ final 747 flight departed Sydney Airport last weekend, and flew at just 4,000 feet and at a much slower speed for its 15 minute journey to Wollongong.

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society who will be looking after the jumbo jet has Australia’s biggest collection of historical aircraft including a plane known as ‘Connie’, a Lockheed Super Constellation originally built for the US Air Force.

“It’s a bit sentimental but it’s going to a great home down here and we know it’s going to be looked after by the society volunteers,” Captain Greg Matthews said.

The City of Canberra is the oldest aircraft in the Qantas fleet and holds the record for the longest ever non-stop commercial flight for its trip from London to Sydney in 1989.

In total, the plane has flow 85 million kilometres, which is equivalent to 110 return trips to the moon. Its last commercial flight was in January this year between Johannesburg and Sydney.

SOURCE::::: Poppy Marello in http://www.routesonline.com

Natarajan

” Spain’s Ghost Airport Set To Become Operational For Scheduled Flights Now…” !!!

March 13, 2015March 13, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

A ‘ghost airport’ that opened four years ago in Castellon, Spain is finally set to begin operations after Irish LCC, Ryanair announced scheduled flights to the UK.

Spain’s Ghost Airport to Finally Begin Scheduled Operations

A ‘ghost airport’ that opened four years ago in Castellon, Spain is finally set to begin operations after Irish LCC, Ryanair announced scheduled flights to the UK.

Flights will link the €150 million airport to London Stansted three-times-weekly and Bristol twice-weekly from September this year.

Castellon-Costa Azahar Airport became one of Spain’s white elephant airports, after it opened in March 2011 and was one of the Valencia region’s many grand building projects. The city region is already served by Valencia Airport, and nearby airports Reus and Alicante both also serve similar markets.

Until recently, Castellon has only hosted charter flights carrying teams from the Spanish football league, and flights from the region’s general aviation flying club.

The airport has faced a multitude of problems which have contributed to the airport lying dormant for the past four years. In 2012, part of the runway had to be demolished due to an error of measurement, and in 2013 the airport received more backlash after it was revealed it had no provisions to fuel planes, as fuel stations had not yet been built.

Ryanair announced its plans to fly to Castellon in its latest press release which highlighted the airline’s London Stansted winter schedule.

“Ryanair is pleased to launch our biggest ever London Stansted winter 2015 schedule, with two new routes to Castellón and Ponta Delgada—110 in total—and more flights on 23 routes, which will deliver over 18 million customers p.a. and support 18,000 on site jobs at London Stansted Airport,” said Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kenny Jacobs.

Ryanair will start selling the flights on Friday (13MAR15), and it said it has the capacity to bring 60,000 passengers a year to Castellon.

Castellon is the 24^th airport in Spain to carry Ryanair flights, and the Irish budget airline handled nearly 32 million passengers in Spain in 2014.

SOURCE:::: Poppy Marello in http://www.routesonline.com

Natarajan

” Take a Brisk Walk For 30 Minutes PerDay…EveryDay… Why ? …Read Furher…”

March 13, 2015NatarajanLeave a comment

The Health Benefits of Brisk Walking

It’s bizarre to think this, but these days people just don’t walk enough, or even stand, for that matter. It’s easy to let ourselves move from comfortable seat to comfortable seat, from bed to sofa. But the act of walking isn’t just a chore, it’s something our bodies are meant to do. When we do walk, the body benefits in many great ways. You won’t believe how much better it is to go on regular walks.

health walking