Matthew: My question is about TANG, the space-program-induced instant drink mix from the '60s. Is TANG an acronym for something? Like I had always heard that SPAM stood for "shoulder pork and meats." -- Mitch …
May 29, 2003
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
On the menu, Tang and Spam
Why do I have to walk through the lingerie department to get to the table saws?
M.A.: Department stores like WalMart, Target, Kmart, et al. are laid out in a fashion that seems to vaguely discriminate against male shoppers by putting the "guy stuff" (automotive, hardware, sporting goods) at the rear …
May 29, 2003
Looking up Marilyn's skirt
Oh Explainer of All Things Mysterious: You know that famous scene in The Seven Year Itch where Marilyn Monroe stands on the subway vent and enjoys the warm air blowing up her dress? Well, she's …
May 22, 2003
Has anybody seen Channel 1?
Matt: I have hundreds of channels on my TV. The only one missing is Channel 1. Has there ever been a Channel 1? If so, what happened to it? -- Leslie, Rancho Bernardo Poor old …
May 22, 2003
1 Girl Scout = 8756 calories
Dear Matt: Well, it appears Girl Scout cookie season has finally come to an end. How many calories did the Girl Scouts unleash on America this year? -- Craving Cookies in Ocean Beach You realize, …
May 15, 2003
The dreaded dotter
Heymatt: As my husband and I drove down several San Diego freeways recently, we noticed that there were tufts of orange cotton-candy-like fluffy stuff growing on the bushes along the freeway. What is it? -- …
May 15, 2003
Dimes: too small, too thin
Dear Matthew: Why is a dime smaller than a penny? A penny, nickel, quarter, half dollar, and silver dollar are each progressively larger. The dime is out of sequence! This is definitely driving me nuts! …
May 15, 2003
Mmmmmm! M&Ms
Mat A: How do they get those little Ms on M&M candies? Disenfranchised elves working for Mars, Inc. at minimum wage? Or some esoteric new-fangled tenth generation computer gizmo? Or perhaps just some mundane mechanical …
May 8, 2003
Finger wrinkles ironed out
Dear Matthew Alice: While contemplating the universe in the tub the other day, I suddenly wondered why my fingers and toes get all wrinkly when I contemplate the universe in the tub. -- Pruno, in …
May 8, 2003
Donovan knows his invertebrates
Dear Uncle Matthew and Aunt Alice: We all know that our garden variety of snails leave a slimy trail on leaves when they move around. Buy why, when they traverse a cement sidewalk, is the …
May 8, 2003
Pigeon headaches revealed
Matt: When pigeons eat birdseed off the sidewalk, do they bang their beaks on the concrete? — Mission Valley Ken Peck. Ouch! Peck. Ouch! That's kinda how a pigeon's day goes. Well, not that bad, …
May 1, 2003