Possibly Unaswerable Questions

[C.E. Evans]

Angel food cake is white and devil's food cake is dark brown...why can't food cakes just all get along?

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

The black and white cookie will show you the way C.E. Evans.

 

[scotpens]

The side of the car we sit on was the side of the "driver" in wagons, with the right side reserved for the "shotgun" position, the guard who actually carried the shotgun used to defend from raiders and robbers.

Of course today when we talk of “riding shotgun,” we mean it metaphorically. Except in Texas and Florida.

The reason we drive on the right side of the road was because when two people on horseback passed each other, they would do so with the weapons side, or right side, away from the passer.

So why do some countries drive on the left?

 

[Data Holmes]

The side of the car we sit on was the side of the "driver" in wagons, with the right side reserved for the "shotgun" position, the guard who actually carried the shotgun used to defend from raiders and robbers.

Of course today when we talk of “riding shotgun,” we mean it metaphorically. Except in Texas and Florida.

The reason we drive on the right side of the road was because when two people on horseback passed each other, they would do so with the weapons side, or right side, away from the passer.

So why do some countries drive on the left?

Actually, historically "keep left" is the proper way, going back to ancient rome or further. This allowed a horseman to maintain control of the reigns in his left hand and raise his right, or weapon, hand. The right side has usually been associated as the "weapon" side because of the dominance of right handed individuals, thus why the right seat was the shotgun seat later on.

The shift to the right hand side in the states was because of the teamsters union. something to do with their wagons not having seats so they rode the left horse and passed on the right of oncoming traffic....

 

[MHT1138]

On the radio this morning they mentioned that there were "Good Friday Celebrations" underway in Jerusalem this made me raise an eyebrow as it didn't make much sense. It seems today is also Passover which may have been what they were celebrating and whomever wrote the news report was confused.

There are Christians living in Jerusalem. In addition, many Christian Pilgrims go to Jerusalem to celebrate Good Friday and Easter, because that is where the Crucifixion and Resurrection occurred.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

".. on England's green and pleasant land"

 

[Awesome Possum]

Angel food cake is white and devil's food cake is dark brown...why can't food cakes just all get along?

They're both racist?

 

[M'Sharak]

Now then: What is the difference between a duck?

Why a duck?

 

[DAYoung]

Now, I'm curious about the phrase as a common expression, aside from its use in that specific TV episode. Why do we say "the best of both worlds"? Why "worlds" specifically? This site suggests that it came about as a variation of Pangloss's "this is the best of all possible worlds" from Candide, and I suppose that's plausible.

In Westward, Ho!, Kingsley used the phrase to refer to a worldly achievement (building a bridge for transporting food, amongst other things) promoted by spiritual benefits:

All do not know how Bishop Grandison of Exeter proclaimed throughout his diocese indulgences, benedictions, and "participation in all spiritual blessings for ever," to all who would promote the bridging of that dangerous ford; and so, consulting alike the interests of their souls and of their bodies, "make the best of both worlds."

I'm not sure about the Candide reference. Voltaire was taking the mickey out of folks like Leibniz, Rousseau and Pope, for their 'best of all possible worlds' ideas. I can't imagine folks taking up Pangloss' words seriously (i.e. referring to positive circumstances), but this wouldn't be the first time an idiom had been re-interpreted.

Anyway, I've always seen the phrase, in the Star Trek context, as a reference to Picard's assimilation. He's literally the best of both worlds, i.e. Picard's individual strengths (as a man and officer) plus the communal mind and technological superiority of the Borg. Perhaps it's also ironic: this combination makes him the worst, morally speaking, i.e. a danger to all he stands for.

 

[MacLeod]

I often wonder why we say we drive cars and ride bicycles. . . . I think the usages are leftovers from horse-based transportation. Biking is called "riding" by analogy with riding a horse, while being in a car is called "driving" by analogy with using the reins and whip to drive your cart's horses forward.

I never thought about it, but that etymology makes sense. We even speak of “riding” a motorcycle as opposed to “driving” a car — probably, as you suggest, by analogy to the straddling position one takes when riding a horse.

So much relating to cars is derived from the old horse days. THe width of cars, and roads, was all determined by the width of horses. A single lane road is two horses wide, which is the same measurement as the standard wagon, and thus that of the car.

THe side of the car we sit on was the side of the "driver" in wagons, with the right side reserved for the "shotgun" position, the guard who actually carried the shotgun used to defend from raiders and robbers.

The reason we drive on the right side of the road was because when two people on horseback passed each other, they would do so with the weapons side, or right side, away from the passer.

That only applies to certain countries however, in the UK we have right hand drive cars, which could be down to the fact that most people are right handed and in the days of swords you would be able to attack/defend when you pass by on the roads.

 

[captcalhoun]

how do you keep an idiot in suspense?

 

[MHT1138]

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

 

[DAYoung]

Cottleston, cottleston, cottleston pie.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Angel food cake is white and devil's food cake is dark brown...why can't food cakes just all get along?

They're both racist?

I tell you, we don't stand a chance if food cakes are hating on each other.

The black and white cookie will show you the way C.E. Evans.

Amen!

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Cottleston, cottleston, cottleston pie.

A fly can't bird, but a bird can fly!

Unless it can't. That's the problematic part.

 

[DS9Continuing]

It could also be a reference to Riker's dilemma in the episode. One way the phrase "(having) the best of both worlds" is used is to refer to reconciling two seemingly incompatible goals or ideals. Riker is trying to choose between his desire to advance his career and his desire to stay aboard the Enterprise, and so the title becomes a question: is it possible for him to have the best of both worlds, or does he have to settle for one?

It goes further than that - Riker's dilemma is about advancing his career or staying on the Enterprise, yes. But in the course of the show he does get the best of both worlds - he gets to stay on the Enterprise and advance his career by becoming the captain of it. He gets everything he wants. But this only happens by way of Picard being lost, an unacceptable price to pay.

.

 

[1001001]

BOBW -

I always thought it wasn't a reference to Picard or the Borg, but Riker. He was playing it safe, staying on the Enterprise as XO, and never having to make the tough decisions.

I've always assumed the Best of Both Worlds is referring to the Borg's goal of perfection by combining flesh and machinery. The Borg Queen was pretty explicit about this later on in First Contact.

 

[Roger Wilco]

On the radio this morning they mentioned that there were "Good Friday Celebrations" underway in Jerusalem this made me raise an eyebrow as it didn't make much sense. It seems today is also Passover which may have been what they were celebrating and whomever wrote the news report was confused.

There are a shitton of Christian churches in Jerusalem too.

 

[Gov Kodos]

On the radio this morning they mentioned that there were "Good Friday Celebrations" underway in Jerusalem this made me raise an eyebrow as it didn't make much sense. It seems today is also Passover which may have been what they were celebrating and whomever wrote the news report was confused.

There are a shitton of Christian churches in Jerusalem too.

Indeed there are, and there are quite a few Good Friday celebrants in Jerusalem. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57410507/christians-mark-good-friday-in-jerusalem/

 

[scotpens]

So, why do fools fall in love?