Thomas Crapper and the Etymology of “Crap”

Thomas Crapper turns 173 today (he doesn’t look a day over 135). Crapper probably has more rumors and innuendo swirling around him than any other plumber in the world. For one, there are many who believe that he invented the flush toilet. Not true. This from snopes:

Although Thomas Crapper took out nine plumbing patents between 1881 and 1896, none of these patents was for the “valveless water-waste preventer” he is often credited with having invented. The first patent for a siphonic flush was taken out by Joseph Adamson in 1853, eight years before Crapper started his plumbing business.

Ok, but what about the fact that the word “crap” comes from Thomas Crapper? That has to be true, right? Alas, no. This from the online etymology dictionary. crap: (n.), from one of a cluster of words generally applied to things cast off or discarded (e.g. “weeds growing among corn” (1425), “residue from renderings” (1490s), 18c. underworld slang for “money,” and in Shropshire, “dregs of beer or ale”), all probably from Middle English (1100-1500 a.d.).crappe “grain that was trodden underfoot in a barn, chaff”

Trilogy Quiz

Here’s a quiz I recently did for Comcast about trilogies (we don’t count Jaws IV as a film, folks.). Let me know how you do in the comments. Also, have a trivia question that is remaining unanswered over on isportacus.

Jams One “H” Away from Perfection

First Place: The Jams 117 (They got 3 of 4 Hs in the 4H CLub but missed “health”

2nd Place: Quiz on Your Face 93

3rd Place: Little Lebowski Urban Achivers 84

Sal’s Back Cruises to Win at Bards

First Place: Sal’s Back 114

2nd Place: Quattro Bar and Grill 90

3rd Place: Hot Chicago’s 79

The Ear Upsets Lambda at O’Neals

First Place: The Ear, Not Your Typical Orifice 93

2nd Place: Lambda 91

3rd Place: Ivan the Trivial 85

The Banana Sharpener

Be sure to become a fan of Beakers on facebook. Interestingly, Bunsen Honeydew has over 9,000 less facebook fans than Beaker.

The Swedish Chef

Who knew that this was how donuts were made? If you want something translated into Swedish Chef speak, just go here. I typed in, “The Phils need to say goodbye to Brad Lidge.” Here’s what I got back: Zee Pheels need tu sey guudbye-a tu Bred Leedge-a. Bork Bork Bork!

Time Piece

Here is a wild 1966 short film Jim Henson did that was nominated for an Academy Award.

Happy Jim Henson Day!

Hey kids, it’s Jim Henson’s birthday. Needless to say, we here at JGT headquarters are huge Jim Henson fans. So we’re gonna be showing some of our favorite Muppets skits all day long in honor of this true genius, who would be turning 73 today if he had not passed away at the tragically young age of 53.

Toughest Questions From Last Week’s Quizzo

Bust number 10 out when you find yourself surrounded by nerds at a cocktail party. I think it’s a damn good trivia question. Answers after the jump.

An amendment becomes a law when the legislatures of this fraction of the states ratify it.
What 15th century navigator discovered the sea route from Europe to India by the Cape of Good Hope?
This actor starred as Elvis in a 1979 TV movie, starred as an Elvis impersonator in a 2001 movie, and provided the voice of Elvis in Forrest Gump.
You can find two of this artists paintings of buxom gals bathing at the Barnes Foundation, and you can find another one, called the Large Bathers, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Who is the artist?
What is the 4th word of the US Constitution?
Who has the record for most career yards passing for the New Orleans Saints?
In France, they have some called Grande Vitesse. In Japan they are known as Shinkansen. What are they?
Scouts brother in To Kill a Mockingbird is Jeremy, whose nickname was what?
What was the name of the bar in the movie Road House?
In the early 1820s, America’s 14th President, the poet who wrote Song of Hiawatha, and the author of the House of the Seven Gables all became friends while attending Bowdoin College together. Who are they?

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