"The screw principle was known in antiquity. The ancients used wooden screws for crushing grapes, drawing water and fastening planks of wood for shipbuilding and other purposes," writes "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
As we get older and more likely to be in need of medical attention it’s handy to be able to translate what medical staff might be saying about us, says "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
Most people who play card games probably give little thought to the cards they’re playing with, but playing cards have an interesting history, writes CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"As the British Empire expanded, it brought in words from other languages such as Indian 'taboo' and 'pukka', and Egyptian 'elephant' and 'ebony'," writes "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
While people from outside Australasia may find it hard to distinguish between the accents of Australians and New Zealanders, for Australians the differences are very obvious, says "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"Aversion to the way others speak or pronounce words seldom has any linguistic rationale; it is usually an excuse to typecast others as socially inferior," writes "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"The Red Crystal came into being because some nations were reluctant to use either the Red Cross or the Red Crescent because of their possible religious connotations," writes "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.
"The main beneficiaries of conflict seem to be ambitious politicians and defence industries. Amidst the patriotic fervour we forget about the damaged individuals and ruined lives that war produces," writes CLIVE WILLIAMS
"Like any living thing, plants want to remain alive, and research shows that when certain plants are cut, they emit a 'noise' that could be interpreted as a cry," writes "Whimsy" columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.