I’d Give My Panties for a Crippled Kid

1952 was the year that the panty raid craze hit campuses across America. One of the primary goals of the raids was to cause chaos and commotion (and grab panties, of course), but a few students at the University of Idaho decided to use the raids to achieve a greater social good. They conducted a "reverse" panty-raid. This involved showing up, "whoopin' and hollerin," in the middle of the night at a female dormitory, and then they auctioned off panties to the girls, instead of stealing panties from them. They donated all the proceeds of the auction to the Crippled Children's Fund. It was a nice gesture, but the slogan they chose for the event, "I'd Give My Panties for a Crippled Kid," probably wouldn't pass muster with the guardians of political correctness on campuses today.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Sep 29, 2012 - Comments (4)
Category: Charities and Philanthropy, Fads, 1950s

It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown

Flashdancing and squaredancing?!? Most swiftly outmoded Charlie Brown special ever!

Posted By: Paul - Wed Jul 18, 2012 - Comments (3)
Category: Fads, Cartoons, Dogs, 1980s, Dance

Goldfish Swallowing

There's a site for every fetish, and if your fetish happens to be watching people swallow live goldfish, then check out goldfishswallowing.com. From their site intro:


They offer some more info in their FAQ:


Their sample videos all are safe for work (unless, maybe, you work in an aquarium). Which is to say, that although the site may superficially resemble a porn site, that doesn't seem to be the case -- i.e. no nudity. It's just good-old, wholesome fish swallowing.

Posted By: Alex - Thu Jul 05, 2012 - Comments (7)
Category: Fads, Food, Fish

New Meaning For Drop Dead Gorgeous

I don't keep up with fashion trends. If I can't go somewhere wearing elastic-waist pants and a baggy T-shirt, then I don't want to go. But I think I'm in the minority. Or maybe it has something to do with age. Younger folks often seem to be obsessed with their appearance and are even willing to put their lives at risk just to look "good". For example, the government of Thailand has issued a health warning that proclaims black leggings put people at risk of catching Dengue Fever. I realize that might sound a bit paranoid, but they have a compelling reason behind the warning: the mosquitoes that transmit the disease are attracted to black and can easily bite through the thin fabric used to make the leggings. You can read more here.

Posted By: Nethie - Mon Aug 09, 2010 - Comments (7)
Category: Death, Fads, Fashion, Health, Disease, Insects and Spiders, More Things To Worry About

Some More Food Related Weirdness

Returning to a topic close to my heart (well, the cholesterol is at any rate), I'd like to start this food of the weird round-up with an intriguing piece of recent research that chocolate milk may, in fact, be a better "sports drink" than many sports drinks. In trials conducted by scientists from James Madison University on thirteen college football players, low-fat chocolate milk outperformed commercial high-carbohydrate recovery drinks, with tests showing lower levels of kinases associated with muscle strain. Though equally effective as a training aid, chocolate milk is unlikely to replace sideline "energy" drinks like Gatorade anytime soon. Which is a pity, if nothing else, a switch to chocolate milk would enliven the coach's traditional "post-game shower" (Net Doctor).

Of course, the athletic benefits of chocolate could only be improved by adding a protein supplement, right? Well not if, as alleged by one Tampa Bay business, that extra protein came in the form of an infestation of moths. Wholesaler "Mar-Len Confections" and retailer "Chocolates by Michelle" are currently suing one another over the fate of a shipment of $4500 worth of chocolate supplied by the former. According to Michelle Palisi, owner of the eponymous business, the chocolate was contaminated with live moths, meaning she not only had to throw out the shipment and replace it, but also had to hire an exterminator to eradicate the moths and clean the building. Wes Niedecken, owner of Mar-Len, disputes this, blaming poor pest control on the part of Palisi. The moths themselves are not unusual, and candy - especially chocolate - is a particular favourite of caterpillars. Fortunately for the consumer, the FDA has strict rules in place... no more than 60 insect parts per 100 grams of chocolate (St. Petersburg Times).

Also coming up for a food related day in court is NC teen John Szwalla, who tried to hold up a convenience store... with a banana. The 17 year-old, now facing charges of attempted armed robbery, initially told staff at the Winston-Salem store that he had a gun, though the truth quickly became apparent when owner Bobby Rae Mabe and a customer managed to jump Szwalla and pin him to a chair. The would-be robber then tried to dispose of the evidence by, you guessed it, eating the banana. He was unable to dispose of the peel however and police later took it away as evidence. Recalling his harrowing experience Mabe said, "If he had had a gun he would've shot me, but he had a banana" (Sky News).

But while the humble banana might not be the weapon of choice, it can still make you money. At least, that's what banks in Davao in the Philippines think. Fresh from the success of sub-prime mortgages, banks are apparently eyeing banana plantations as the next big growth sector. One local bank plans to double its $27 million investment in bananas by the end of the year, citing growing demand. Said bank president Alex Buenaventura, "Banana has become the fabled duck that lays golden eggs" (Business Mirror).

While it's easy to mock, perhaps Mr. Buenaventura enthusiasm mightn't be quite the joke it first appears. Banana imports to Japan have leapt over 25% in just a few months on the back of a new diet craze, the "Morning Banana" diet. Initially aired on a social networking site, this new fad has already spawned four bestselling books and a raft of TV endorsements, with public and celebrities alike lining up to show off their new - banana-induced - bodies. As for the diet, it is simplicity itself, just eat bananas for breakfast, and nothing else, then enjoy whatever you want for lunch and dinner (Inventor Spot).



More in extended >>

Posted By: Dumbfounded - Wed Jun 03, 2009 - Comments (6)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Science, Sports, Stupid Criminals, Nutrition, Bananas

Lightsabers on a Segway

So, I guess this is for the lazier Jedi.



Apparently, Star Wars fan videos never get old.

Posted By: mdb777 - Tue May 05, 2009 - Comments (0)
Category: Boredom, Fads, Geeks, Nerds and Pointdexters

Handies

"Handies" was one of those bizarre fads that periodically sweep the country. It reached the high point of its popularity in the summer of 1936. After that, its descent was steep and fast. No one could figure out where the fad came from. From Time magazine:


So it was like a static version of charades. The image shows the Handy for "Indian riding in a V8." It's the only image of a Handy I could find. Not hard to see why the fad died out.

Posted By: Alex - Mon Mar 23, 2009 - Comments (9)
Category: Fads, 1930s

Slim Suit

This choice item comes from WU reader AHC! Thanks, chum!

Posted By: Paul - Sun Mar 22, 2009 - Comments (10)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Fads, Reader Recommendation

The New People

A TV series about plane-crash survivors on a weird island? Must be Lost, right?

Well, not in 1969. Back then, it was THE NEW PEOPLE.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Mar 10, 2009 - Comments (1)
Category: Fads, Pop Culture, Television, 1960s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Pavel Tsatsouline

Submit to the stern Russian discipline of Pavel Tsatsouline!!!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 10, 2009 - Comments (12)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Russia