NationStates Jolt Archive


Why?

Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:31
We all have odd questions without reasonably good answers. Let's ask them and see if we can't solve a few.

Here's my first:

Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 19:32
Why is it that when I'm asked about what odd questions I have, I can't remember them?
Ostroeuropa
30-10-2006, 19:32
We all have odd questions without reasonably good answers. Let's ask them and see if we can't solve a few.

Here's my first:

Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?

Because uncles are nice, and most places bearing those names are filled with evil.

Plus, a smaller brother wouldnt command respect, an older brother would make people wanna cry cos hed beat them up, so Nazi Germany was a brotherland
Myralon
30-10-2006, 19:34
because most societies are formed originally with either a matriarchal or patriarchal bent (rather than whatever the appropriate relative terms are for uncle and brother), so when we evolved to nation-states, it became motherland/fatherland
Farnhamia
30-10-2006, 19:34
Uncles I don't know from but "brotherhood" is a smaller subdivision of Fatherland, I think. That part above 110th Street in Manhattan.
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:37
Why is it that when I'm asked about what odd questions I have, I can't remember them?

Brain damage?
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 19:37
Brain damage?

Me? Brain damage?
Free Soviets
30-10-2006, 19:39
Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?

i consider sweden to be a thirdcousinland
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:41
Me? Brain damage?

You. Brain Damage. :)
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 19:41
You. Brain Damage. :)

What were we talking about again?
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:43
What were we talking about again?

Diced mushrooms, I think. *nod*
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:43
i consider sweden to be a thirdcousinland

What is Nieceland then?
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 19:43
Diced mushrooms, I think. *nod*

Oh. They are delicious.
Not bad
30-10-2006, 19:44
Why isn't the opposite of a contractor a protractor
Zilam
30-10-2006, 19:44
Why am I such a dummy?
The Nazz
30-10-2006, 19:47
Because uncles are nice, and most places bearing those names are filled with evil.

Plus, a smaller brother wouldnt command respect, an older brother would make people wanna cry cos hed beat them up, so Nazi Germany was a brotherland

I was thinking more like every family has that uncle you have to keep the kids away from, the one who likes them to sit on his lap a bit too long, you know?
Not bad
30-10-2006, 19:49
Why is it that so many people leaving a grocery store immediately call someone on a cell phone and keep talking as they load the bags in their SUVs and while they drive away? They are probably going straight home if they have perishables or frozen goods anyway...


Also why has the standard driver's hand position on cell phones become one which makes it appear that the driver has her finger deeply into her ear?
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 19:51
Why do some threads have infuriatingly misleading titles?:mad:
Not bad
30-10-2006, 19:55
Why do some threads have infuriatingly misleading titles?:mad:

I have an answer to this one!

If you become infuriated over a title, it isnt the title's fault. ;)
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 19:57
WHy doesn't it ever rain mud? :(
Farnhamia
30-10-2006, 19:58
WHy doesn't it ever rain mud? :(

You don't live near enough to an active volcano. But if it does start raining mud, I'd head out of town.
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 19:58
WHy doesn't it ever rain mud? :(

Because dirt doesn't evaporate?

.. or does it?
Gidetisms
30-10-2006, 20:01
why is it we scrub down and wash up?
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:01
You don't live near enough to an active volcano. But if it does start raining mud, I'd head out of town.

Good point.
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:02
Because dirt doesn't evaporate?

.. or does it?

Maybe a sandstorm and a hurricane could collide one day. :)
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 20:03
Maybe a sandstorm and a hurricane could collide one day. :)

That would be awesome.
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:03
WHy doesn't it ever rain mud? :(

It does rain mud. The consitency is just too thin to be useful for anything except making cars filthy.
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:04
It does rain mud. The consitency is just too thin to be useful for anything except making cars filthy.

That will change once i'm in charge. :)
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:04
I have an answer to this one!

If you become infuriated over a title, it isnt the title's fault. ;)
Yes, but why do the OP's design them that way? Ruffy's are funny like that, but some people make a title that gives you either a misleading concept or no real indication as to the content of the thread.
Because dirt doesn't evaporate?

.. or does it?
Depends on how hot you get it.
why is it we scrub down and wash up?

Because scrubbing up chafes more. *nods*
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:04
Maybe a sandstorm and a hurricane could collide one day. :)

When we have a bigassed duststorm here it usually rains before the dust settles.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:06
Maybe a sandstorm and a hurricane could collide one day. :)
Dear gods, I hope so.
That would be awesome.

Indeed, it would.
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:07
Yes, but why do the OP's design them that way? Ruffy's are funny like that, but some people make a title that gives you either a misleading concept or no real indication as to the content of the thread.



They are members of FMWaLotWSaVL


Future mystery writers and legislators of the world society and video library.
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:08
When we have a bigassed duststorm here it usually rains before the dust settles.

Hmm... with enough suspended dust and a light enough rain.... *rubs chin thoughtfully*
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:09
Yes, but why do the OP's design them that way? Ruffy's are funny like that, but some people make a title that gives you either a misleading concept or no real indication as to the content of the thread.


Personally, I do it to toy with people's heads. :)
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:09
They are members of FMWaLotWSaVL


Future mystery writers and legislators of the world society and video library.

Oh noes! Not the FMWaLotWSaVL!:eek:
*flees for life*
Rameria
30-10-2006, 20:10
Why does women's clothing sometimes come in odd sizes (1,3,5, etc.) and sometimes in even sizes (2,4,6, etc.)? And why does the size of clothing I wear vary dramatically depending on where I shop?
New Xero Seven
30-10-2006, 20:10
The concept of land is merely an illusion that we buy into. Land is land is land, its nothing to be associated as family members.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:10
Personally, I do it to toy with people's heads. :)

That's not what I'm talking about. Yours is fine. It applies, even though it could be anything. Theirs is more a product of stupidity....Or maybe it's that you do it because it's funny to toy with people's heads and they....Well, they're just stupid.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:12
Why does women's clothing sometimes come in odd sizes (1,3,5, etc.) and sometimes in even sizes (2,4,6, etc.)? And why does the size of clothing I wear vary dramatically depending on where I shop?

And what nation you enter?
Rameria
30-10-2006, 20:14
And what nation you enter?
Yes, that too. :)
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:15
Oh noes! Not the FMWaLotWSaVL!:eek:
*flees for life*



I know!!!:gundge:


I am a member:( , but it's only for the video library, I swear!
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:17
That's not what I'm talking about. Yours is fine. It applies, even though it could be anything. Theirs is more a product of stupidity....Or maybe it's that you do it because it's funny to toy with people's heads and they....Well, they're just stupid.

Maybe I'm just better at toying with heads. :)
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 20:17
I know!!!:gundge:


I am a member:( , but it's only for the video library, I swear!

If this was 1984, you'd be in the Inner party! :eek:
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:18
Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?

They were banished to the Hinterland
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:19
If this was 1984, you'd be in the Inner party! :eek:

If this was 1984 I wouldnt have this computer and I'd be partying like it was 1999.

*nods*
Lunatic Goofballs
30-10-2006, 20:21
They were banished to the Hinterland

What the hell is a hinter?
IL Ruffino
30-10-2006, 20:21
If this was 1984 I wouldnt have this computer and I'd be partying like it was 1999.

*nods*

Aye, you have a point!

*drinks some Victory Gin*
Farnhamia
30-10-2006, 20:22
Why does women's clothing sometimes come in odd sizes (1,3,5, etc.) and sometimes in even sizes (2,4,6, etc.)? And why does the size of clothing I wear vary dramatically depending on where I shop?

It's Donna Karan's fault. Some years ago she got tired of being a 14 (or whatever) and decreed that that size was now a 12. The other designers and manufacturers quickly leaped on the bandwagon.

This is an eternal mystery. Despite being female, I don't care much for shopping, and I'd really like to be able to go into a store, find my size and buy the damn garment without having to go into a gross little cubicle, strip off, try it on, get dressed again, etc. I've heard that men's sizes are regulated by law in the US. Curse the male-dominated society that permits this!
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:27
Yes, that too. :)
So I've heard, anyway. I'm a guy, so I have little to worry about with regard to women's clothing.:p
I know!!!:gundge:


I am a member:( , but it's only for the video library, I swear!
You're one of them!:eek:
Maybe I'm just better at toying with heads. :)
It goes without saying.
They were banished to the Hinterland
Ahahahahaha!
What the hell is a hinter?
"Hinter" means, literally, "behind."
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:28
Oh, and it's a preposition, in case you were wondering.
Freedontya
30-10-2006, 20:32
Hmm... with enough suspended dust and a light enough rain.... *rubs chin thoughtfully*

Been there, Done That in Texas in 1975, Sand storm ran into a rain storm and dropped about 3/4" of Mud. ( and yeah I had just washed my car)
DrunkenDove
30-10-2006, 20:34
"Hinter" means, literally, "behind."


Ass-land. Fantastic.
Kyronea
30-10-2006, 20:37
Ass-land. Fantastic.

Look at it this way: lots of gay sex.
Hydesland
30-10-2006, 20:42
My question is to all the confused neo-nazis. Why do they pratically worship hitler, yet at the same time deny the holocaust, effectively giving them no reason to worship him?
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:43
Ass-land. Fantastic.
Um...no, not quite. It's behind as in the general direction....
Look at it this way: lots of gay sex.

You might think so....But then it's just as easy to have straight sex from behind.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:45
My question is to all the confused neo-nazis. Why do they pratically worship hitler, yet at the same time deny the holocaust, effectively giving them no reason to worship him?

To put it simply: they're retarded. That's the fundamental principle to being any sort of Nazi. You have to be unbelievably naive (feigned or otherwise) or completely retared. They're probably both.
Dosuun
30-10-2006, 20:51
Why do they call it lunch?

If the plural of mouse is mice then shouldn't the plural of spouse be spice?
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:54
Why do they call it lunch?

If the plural of mouse is mice then shouldn't the plural of spouse be spice?

I don't think spouse should ever be plural, but then that might just be me.:p
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:57
What the hell is a hinter?

Someone who beats around the bush and never quite says wtf they really mean. Many ex wives fit this category.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 20:58
Someone who beats around the bush and never quite says wtf they really mean. Many ex wives fit this category.

They like the...bush, eh?:p
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:58
I don't think spouse should ever be plural, but then that might just be me.:p


All of the husbands' spouse were at the PTA meeting?
Not bad
30-10-2006, 20:59
They like the...bush, eh?:p

The republican ones do
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:00
All of the husbands' spouse were at the PTA meeting?

You can't do that. It implies you require a plural, but assuming you wouldn't have one, you couldn't form the sentence. It'd be funny watching people struggle to find a wording to work around that complication.
Kyronea
30-10-2006, 21:00
Um...no, not quite. It's behind as in the general direction....


You might think so....But then it's just as easy to have straight sex from behind.
Well, yeah, of course. And that's the best way, too.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:01
The republican ones do

Curious. Ueber-conservative lesbians...hmm...
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:02
Well, yeah, of course. And that's the best way, too.

I wouldn't know. I guess my girlfriend and I should start that experimentation to verify you claim. *nods*
Zilam
30-10-2006, 21:07
Why doest no one loveth me?:(
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:08
Why doest no one loveth me?:(

Because it's much easier and more fun to hate you.
Gorias
30-10-2006, 21:14
What is Nieceland then?

australlia.
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:15
australlia.

Is that a new nation, or something?
Zilam
30-10-2006, 21:16
Because it's much easier and more fun to hate you.

-wonders why FD won't die- :)
Fascist Dominion
30-10-2006, 21:17
-wonders why FD won't die- :)

In the immortal words of Lewis Black: "Pricks live forever!!1!"
Not bad
30-10-2006, 21:17
Why doest no one loveth me?:(

Canst not thou findeth an Elizabethanesque love with which to humpeth like thee noble weasels?
Darknovae
30-10-2006, 23:41
Why does Saturday have to be my last marching band performance? :(
Fleckenstein
30-10-2006, 23:45
Because uncles are nice, and most places bearing those names are filled with evil.

Plus, a smaller brother wouldnt command respect, an older brother would make people wanna cry cos hed beat them up, so Nazi Germany was a brotherland

Now if it's a "brothaland", its a whole new ballgame. :)
(b-ball game, of course)
Nobel Hobos
31-10-2006, 14:40
because most societies are formed originally with either a matriarchal or patriarchal bent (rather than whatever the appropriate relative terms are for uncle and brother), so when we evolved to nation-states, it became motherland/fatherland

"Avuncular" for uncles.
"Fraternal" for brothers or sisters.

My question is to all the confused neo-nazis. Why do they pratically worship hitler, yet at the same time deny the holocaust, effectively giving them no reason to worship him?

My post is not the least funny one in the thread! Excellent! :D

Why doest no one loveth me?:(

Because your grammar sucks. If NSG permitted you to give people the eye without using words, you'd probably be very popular.


To the OP: It's always "fatherland" or "motherland" because such conflation of family with nation is only used by cynical nationalists who want to engender an irrational sense of obligation in the citizenry.

See how I slipped the "engender" in there? How good am I? Isn't it obvious why I'm my friend?
Fascist Dominion
31-10-2006, 18:01
Why does Saturday have to be my last marching band performance? :(

God hates you. *nods*
Harlesburg
01-11-2006, 12:21
We all have odd questions without reasonably good answers. Let's ask them and see if we can't solve a few.

Here's my first:

Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?
Well Australia is New Zealands Cousin and some Cities have Sister Cities.
Both Oz and NZ were eyed up by France so maybe France is both of our Uncle of some sort...
Arvor
01-11-2006, 13:23
This might only be applicable in the UK, but why do we call major roads we drive on parkways, and parking spaces outside our houses driveways?

Surely this is just an accident waiting to happen.
Peepelonia
01-11-2006, 13:36
Why is the 10th month called October if Oct means eight?
Turquoise Days
01-11-2006, 13:41
Why is the 10th month called October if Oct means eight?

Cos it was the eighth month of the Roman calendar. (octo = eight)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October
Turquoise Days
01-11-2006, 13:41
This might only be applicable in the UK, but why do we call major roads we drive on parkways, and parking spaces outside our houses driveways?

Surely this is just an accident waiting to happen.

Don;t know about you, but I call a road a road, not a parkway. :confused:
Harlesburg
01-11-2006, 13:43
Why is the 10th month called October if Oct means eight?
Also July and August were added.
Ifreann
01-11-2006, 13:43
Don;t know about you, but I call a road a road, not a parkway. :confused:

Yeah, who does call roads of any kind a parkway?
Peepelonia
01-11-2006, 13:48
Cos it was the eighth month of the Roman calendar. (octo = eight)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October

Hey Cheers,

geez I guess you realy do learn summit new everyday!
Lunatic Goofballs
01-11-2006, 14:37
Why does Saturday have to be my last marching band performance? :(

Ever? :(
Arvor
01-11-2006, 19:08
Yeah, who does call roads of any kind a parkway?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkway

and thank you for that, because that's at least partly answered my question.

Ah, and the world goes round and round.....
IL Ruffino
01-11-2006, 19:17
Yeah, who does call roads of any kind a parkway?

http://p.vtourist.com/1624947-Ben_Franklin_Parkway-Philadelphia.jpg
Farnhamia
01-11-2006, 19:28
Also July and August were added.

Actually, they were called Quintilis (Fifth) and Sextilis (Sixth) because they were 5th and 6th in the original calendar. The year started in March and went March (Martius), April (Aprilis), May (Maius), June (Iunius), Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, December. Being an agricultural people, the Romans didn't really care much about the passage of time during the remaining 61 days of winter when they couldn't work the fields (or go on campaign). The calendar got January and February traditionally under King Numa in about 713 BC. There's a decent article in Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_calendar) (where else?).

Also, their day-to-day calendar was interesting, too, but that's another story.
German Nightmare
01-11-2006, 19:34
Brain damage?
Excellent song. I've listened to it twice already today.
We all have odd questions without reasonably good answers. Let's ask them and see if we can't solve a few.

Here's my first:
Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?
I wouldn't know.

But I always thought it nice to have the distinction between Fatherland and Mothertongue.
They were banished to the Hinterland
Hehe, clever!
What the hell is a hinter?
"hinter" (German) means behind (adv.)

"Hinter" means, literally, "behind."
Oh. Yeah. Duh. You're right. And quicker.
Ass-land. Fantastic.
No, that would be Arschland or Hinternland.
Poliwanacraca
01-11-2006, 20:20
Why does women's clothing sometimes come in odd sizes (1,3,5, etc.) and sometimes in even sizes (2,4,6, etc.)? And why does the size of clothing I wear vary dramatically depending on where I shop?

My theory is that clothing manufacturers have a secret deal with diet companies - they figure if they keep randomly switching you from a size 4 to a size 14, you'll eventually become horribly paranoid about your weight and buy WeightWatchers products in a vain attempt to get back to a size 4.

That, or that clothing is designed by blind circus freaks in caves who have never encountered actual women, and whose lack of math skills lead them to believe that 7 is smaller than 3. That's also distinctly possible. :p
Farnhamia
01-11-2006, 21:00
My theory is that clothing manufacturers have a secret deal with diet companies - they figure if they keep randomly switching you from a size 4 to a size 14, you'll eventually become horribly paranoid about your weight and buy WeightWatchers products in a vain attempt to get back to a size 4.

That, or that clothing is designed by blind circus freaks in caves who have never encountered actual women, and whose lack of math skills lead them to believe that 7 is smaller than 3. That's also distinctly possible. :p

:eek: Never thought of that!

It is ridiculous, isn't it, that one manufacturer's Size 2 is another's Size 4 (or, Gawd 'Elp Us, Size 0)?
Darknovae
02-11-2006, 00:01
Ever? :(

For this year. Fortunately I have three more years of marhcing band. :)
Maineiacs
02-11-2006, 00:12
We all have odd questions without reasonably good answers. Let's ask them and see if we can't solve a few.

Here's my first:

Why is there a Fatherland and a Motherland, but no Uncleland or Brotherland?

I've got one: Can I have some of whatever you're smoking?
Harlesburg
02-11-2006, 08:48
Actually, they were called Quintilis (Fifth) and Sextilis (Sixth) because they were 5th and 6th in the original calendar. The year started in March and went March (Martius), April (Aprilis), May (Maius), June (Iunius), Quintilis, Sextilis, September, October, November, December. Being an agricultural people, the Romans didn't really care much about the passage of time during the remaining 61 days of winter when they couldn't work the fields (or go on campaign). The calendar got January and February traditionally under King Numa in about 713 BC. There's a decent article in Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_calendar) (where else?).

Also, their day-to-day calendar was interesting, too, but that's another story.
And January is named after Janus the two faced God.
Past future etc.
Fascist Dominion
03-11-2006, 19:49
"hinter" (German) means behind (adv.)

Oh. Yeah. Duh. You're right. And quicker.
With as infrequently as I'm on, I suppose I just got very lucky.:p
:eek: Never thought of that!

It is ridiculous, isn't it, that one manufacturer's Size 2 is another's Size 4 (or, Gawd 'Elp Us, Size 0)?

It's crazy enough that it just might be true....
German Nightmare
03-11-2006, 21:05
With as infrequently as I'm on, I suppose I just got very lucky.:p
;)
Fascist Dominion
03-11-2006, 21:08
;)

I'm not sure if I like you winking to that statement!:eek::p
Dinaverg
03-11-2006, 21:15
"Why did I do that?"
"What's up with that?"
"Is it something I said?"
"You gonna finish that?"
"Deal, or No Deal?"
"Was that rhetorical?"
"What's wrong with you?"
Ifreann
03-11-2006, 21:19
"Why did I do that?"
"What's up with that?"
"Is it something I said?"
"You gonna finish that?"
"Deal, or No Deal?"
"Was that rhetorical?"
"What's wrong with you?"

You're drunk.

It's just a five legged goat. Nothing unusual.

It's not what you said, it's how you beat me with a frying while you said it.

Damn right I am, get the hell away from my dinner.

Deal.

No. Answer me.

I'm drunk too.
Fascist Dominion
06-11-2006, 19:20
You're drunk.

It's just a five legged goat. Nothing unusual.

It's not what you said, it's how you beat me with a frying while you said it.

Damn right I am, get the hell away from my dinner.

Deal.

No. Answer me.

I'm drunk too.

It shows.:p How does one beat another with a "frying?":confused:
Farnhamia
06-11-2006, 19:24
And January is named after Janus the two faced God.
Past future etc.

Sort of like an old Moody Blues album, eh?
Lunatic Goofballs
06-11-2006, 19:28
I've got one: Can I have some of whatever you're smoking?

If that which made me this way came in paper tubes, I'd gladly share it.

Whether people wanted me to or not. I'd slip them into packs of regular cigarettes and watch chaos engulf the planet. :)
IL Ruffino
06-11-2006, 19:31
Why is school not over yet?
Fascist Dominion
06-11-2006, 19:32
If that which made me this way came in paper tubes, I'd gladly share it.

Whether people wanted me to or not. I'd slip them into packs of regular cigarettes and watch chaos engulf the planet. :)

And in tragically ironic fashion, they could first make the popcorn we munch as the said watching and chaos occur.:)
Fascist Dominion
06-11-2006, 19:33
Why is school not over yet?

God hates you.
IL Ruffino
06-11-2006, 19:34
God hates you.

:(

*stones random clouds*

YA FEEL THAT, GOD?!
Fascist Dominion
06-11-2006, 20:35
:(

*stones random clouds*

YA FEEL THAT, GOD?!

Oh, and that Jew, too! Don't let him get away with it, either!:mad:

*grumble* That'll teach God to be a racist!
*hurls stones*
Seangoli
06-11-2006, 20:46
Everybody asks Where, but nobody asks this:

Why is Waldo?

Discuss.
Fascist Dominion
06-11-2006, 20:46
Everybody asks Where, but nobody asks this:

Why is Waldo?

Discuss.

Why why, for that matter?