Stupid – Page 85 – Tacky Raccoons

Earliest known definition of “cocktail” as a beverage appeared in 1803. The actual origins of the word are disputed; here’s one analysis.

Groucho Marx once hawked cocktail napkins.

Ever wonder why cocktails are served in different glasses? Me neither.

No idea what the 1927 Jiggling Chair was supposed to remedy.

Attempted Escape of the Maniac from The Wild Witch of the Heath, 1841.

This is mildly amusing. Move your curser, then do it real fast.

From the You Gotta Be Kidding Me Department:
Cloned Woolly Mammoths are planned to be introduced to an Arctic Siberian park in order to stop “~~global warming~~ climate change.”

Horrific April Fools Day pranks of the 19th Century, and some were lethal. More pranks here.

[Top: Original image of the TV-HiFi console hottie found here.]

The Friday .GIF Post No. 477 – WTF Toy, ViewMistress & Nobody Notices Stupid

[Found here, here and here.]

Stuff like this makes me wanna puke.

Apparently it was an exercise required of applicants to a government job. The woman who posted this on Twitter said she was asked to leave after she voiced her disgust about the “I’ll Bet You’re A Bigot” test. (Note that they couldn’t even spell “Nostradamus” correctly.) I wouldn’t hire ANYONE who chose to participate in such an idiotic exercise, and walking out is the appropriate response, IMO.

And that’s exactly what she did.

Reminds me of this ill-conceived mind experiment, and the work of photographer Jill Greenberg (whose claim to fame is making toddlers cry as a political statement).

Puke.

[h/t @paperghost]

Humans are essentially glorified tubes.

[Found here.]

Saturday Matinee – Chuck Barris & Eugene Patton, Count Basie & America Paz

Yeah, we lost another famous Chuck this week. Here’s Chuck Barris on The Gong Show featuring the late Eugene Patton, aka, Gene Gene The Dancing Machine. (If you thought I was going to post vids of The Unknown Comic, you’re mistaken, but here’s a link instead.)

GGTDM’s themesong was always Count Basie‘s 1938 hit “Jumpin’ At The Woodside,” so let’s go there. Here’s Basie’s Orchestra playing their 1937 hit “One O’Clock Jump” six years later in the movie Reveille with Beverly.

That 1943 Basie lineup likely included Buck Clayton, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Snooky Young, trumpet; Dicky Wells, trombone; Earle Warren, Buddy Tate, Don Byas, Jack Washington, saxes; Freddie Green, guitar; Jo Jones, drums. Not sure who’s on bass.

This Funk Bass Slapfest is awesome, and the girl’s smacking a six-string. I’m guessing that this how Julliard students settle their differences and go busking at the same time.

OH WAIT! THAT’S AMERICA PAZ!