Word of the Day for Thursday, December 20, 2007

tocsin \TOCK-sin\, noun:

1. An alarm bell, or the ringing of a bell for the purpose of alarm.
2. A warning.

Urban Word of the Day
http://www.urbandictionary.com/

December 20, 2007: man flu
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=man+flu&defid=1829361

• The condition shared by all males wherein a common illness (usually a mild cold) is presented by the patient as life-threatening. This is also known as 'Fishing for Sympathy' or 'Chronic Exaggeration'. When the patient is your boyfriend, he will exhibit the standard symptoms (such as an overwhelming desire for compassion) while simultaneously rejecting any and all efforts you make to placate him.

You: Awww, you poor fella.
Him: I'm DYING!
You: (Soothingly) Oh, you're not dying Cy.
Him: (Indignant) I AM! I have Man Flu!
You: Do you need some sympathy?
Him: Yes! But no one understands my pain...
You: I understa-
Him: NO YOU DO NOT!!!

Trivia
How does the sterling silver football on the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy compare in size to a regulation football?

• It’s exactly the same size—11 inches long and 28 inches in circumference at its widest point.

Today in History

• Louisiana Purchase: the US officially took possession of the French territory, which reached from the Mississippi to the Rockies and went on to form all or part of 15 states (1803)
• South Carolina: became the first state to secede from the Union, an action that set the stage for the Civil War (1860)
• It's a Wonderful Life: Frank Capra film starring James Stewart and Donna Reed premiered at NYC's Globe Theater (1936)
• Operation Just Cause: the US invaded Panama to depose Panamanian Defense Forces chief Gen. Manuel Noriega (1989)

Today's Holiday

• Eid ul-Adha (Festival of the Sacrifice, Islam)

Today's Birthdays

• Sir Robert Menzies (1894-1978): the longest-serving prime minister of Australia
• Uri Geller (61): psychic who can bend spoons telepathically; it all began when he was four years old with a mysterious sphere of light
• Mike Watt (50), Billy Bragg (50), Alan Parsons (59): musicians
• Joey Silvera (56): t3h pr0n
• JoJo (17): actress/pop singer, The High Road
• Jillian Grace (21): playmate