Quizzo Power Rankings

philadelhia-sheesesteaks#1. Steak Em Up. They are just straight rolling through the competition. The Bards desperately needs a nerd infusion to challenge these guys. Last week #1

#2. The Jams. One H away from perfection, they have now won three in a row at the Vous and 6 of the last 8. Last week #2

#3. L. Ron Hubbard’s Diabetics. Not a lot of movement at the top this week, as all of the favorites took care of business. Last week #3

#4. The Ear: Not Your Typical Orifice. They add one new team member and suddenly go from cellar dweller to powerhouse. The new guy is either a genius or adept at hiding a Blackberry. Last week #4

#5. Duane’s World. Finally, the World gets off the schnide and records a win at the Black Sheep. This is perhaps the streakiest team in quizzo. Will this win start a hot streak? Last week #7

#6. Eschaton/Satan’s Minions. Different team name, same result: 2nd Place finishes at Black Sheep and Ugly American. Last week NR

#7.  Lambda. Finally emerge from the depths of the earth to finish 2nd at O’Neals. There are rumors of them coming after the bounty this week. A win over Steak Em Up could send this team rocketing up the charts. Last week NR

#8.Unusual Suspects. A third place finish at the Black Sheep keeps them on the charts, but they’ll have to do better this week to stay there. Last week #6

#9. Quiz On Your Face. This team is like the Dodgers of the 40s and 50s; they’d a won a ton if it wasn’t for the Yankees, and these guys woulda won a ton if it wasn’t for the Jams. Last week: NR

#10. Why’s John’s Rum Gone. Only two of them played this week, but they still medaled. That keeps them in the Top 10. Last week #10.

Thomas Crapper and the Etymology of “Crap”

crapperThomas 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”

Quizzo Tonight

Hey kids, we kick it off at Ugly American at 8 p.m. Great local beers and great food. Truly one of the underrated bars in Philly. ANd a great spot for quizzo. On to the Bards at 10:15 for the Bounty Bowl. $60 (combined certificate and cash) if you can knock off Steak Em Up. Hope to see ya tonight.