Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2010 January 28

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January 28

Database of world rivers?

Is there a database containing a majority of the named rivers in the world with at least the length and tributaries (preferably ordered and categorized as right or left) for each river? --Michael White^T·C 02:51, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

I don't know about external sources, but Wikipedia has list of rivers by length, list of rivers by average discharge, list of rivers by age, list of rivers by name, list of rivers by continent, list of rivers by drainage area, as well as a whole slew of pages of the general form "list of rivers in <place name>". Entering "list of rivers" in the search box and clicking "Search" (instead of "Go") should give you them all. Good luck. -- 174.21.224.109 (talk) 03:44, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks. I'm looking for something that could allow me to create a tree of all the tributaries of a major river. The best best may be to use the river's page and manually extract the tributaries from the Infobox.--Michael White^T·C 03:53, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

For example List of rivers of England is already structured as such a tribuatary tree. -- SGBailey (talk) 12:42, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

NRI children to pursue further studies in India

My Son currently studying in Singapore in standard 7, in and Indian International School. We wish to get his university studies done in India. We came to understand through some contacts in India that the student has to complete at least recent 5 years of his studies in India inorder to be able to pursue his university studies in India. We need to know if this true, In which case we will have to wind up with his studies here this year. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.95.87.130 (talk) 08:51, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Have you tried contacting universities in India? They seem the people best placed to advise you. (Bearing in mind of course things could change in 5 years...) Better then being told you don't by some random person and finding out 5 years later they were wrong, or uprooting your son or family for no reason because of something some random person told you Nil Einne (talk) 10:51, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Maximum height for a midget

At what height is someone considered a midget, if their body is still proportionate? --124.254.77.148 (talk) 09:03, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

According to Dwarfism:

It is sometimes defined as a person with an adult height under 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm).[1] This restriction is problematic since the average height of population groups differs greatly.

Further on it says:

Dwarfism is a medical disorder with the sole requirement being an adult height under 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm) and it is almost always classified as to the underlying condition that is the cause for the short stature.

Zain Ebrahim (talk) 10:53, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

The word "midget" originally meant a small sandfly or midge and is sometimes deemed offensive if applied to a dwarf person. There is no real need to use a word that has been associated with exhibition of dwarfs as freaks of nature.Cuddlyable3 (talk) 14:00, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

The terms "midget" and "dwarf" describe different physical characteristics. "Midget" was probably preferred to "dwarf" for awhile due to fairy tales involving dwarfs that would tend to conjure up a negative or stereotyped image. The preferred term nowadays seems to be "little people", which includes both midgets and dwarfs. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 17:20, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

... and Leprechauns?. I don't think that "little people"[1] would be preferred in Ireland, though our article doesn't mention this synonym. BB seems to be correct that "little people" means those of reduced stature in the USA & Canada, but in the UK it means small children, and fairies and Leprechauns in Ireland.Dbfirs 21:15, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

I knew there was a reason why "Little People" always struck me as an odd term. Seems like what midgets and dwarfs are called in Ireland, would be a good question to research, as it's a case where political correctness clashes with tradition. In the dwarfism article, there's a link to an organization called "Little People of America".[2] Americans might generally know of "Little People" as the Irish synonym for Leprechauns, but it wouldn't be the predominant meaning as it would be in Ireland and the UK. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:50, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

I googled [irish midget "little people"] and didn't immediately find anything that indicates what the Irish call them, but it became clear that "midget" is certainly not a banned term. In fact, here's a blog[3] run by a little person who calls it "Midgetopia", albeit with a disclaimer saying he's not trying to demean anyone. (Luckily he avoids the obvious synonym, "belittle".) ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:57, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

It may be a case of someone trying to reclaim a word, much like homosexuals have done with "queer". -- 174.21.224.109 (talk) 07:24, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

Well an internet search shows there is also a Little People of Ireland. Midget can mean other things in Ireland apparently anyway [4] [5] [6]. Incidentally while as with many terms, some people may have no problem with it, you should be careful when using it [7]. Nil Einne (talk) 09:36, 2 February 2010 (UTC)

4'10 makes sense for a man but shouldn't the height be shorter for women because there are plenty that are naturally under 5 feet anyway? --124.254.77.148 (talk) 03:40, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

Fanny by Gaslight

who or what was 'Fanny by Gaslight'. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.145.188.172 (talk) 12:12, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Try Fanny by Gaslight (novel). It is a fictional exploration of prostitution in Victorian London. -- SGBailey (talk) 12:38, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Note that "fanny" is British slang for "female genitalia". -- 174.21.224.109 (talk) 07:20, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

Better try the article on the film. In this case it's a woman's name (Fanny Hooper). The nickname has fallen out of popularity for some reason. AlmostReadytoFly (talk)

Interesting graph of the prevalence of the given names "Fanny" and "Fannie": [8]. "Fanny" is basically dead by the 1930s, but interestingly "Fanny" persisted through the 1960s. "Fannie" was actually quite popular in the 1880s and 1890s, which surprises me. --Mr.98 (talk) 17:48, 30 January 2010 (UTC)

It was a surprisingly common nickname, usually, as I understand it, an abbreviation for Frances. Hence Fanny Burney, the writer; the heroine of Mansfield Park, Fanny Price, whom Jane Austen named after her favourite niece; and Fanny Imlay, the first daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, named after her deceased best friend Fanny Blood. Clearly it had no sexual connotations at that time. But then, Americans name their sons Randy, which raises eyebrows in other varieties of English. BrainyBabe (talk) 11:21, 31 January 2010 (UTC)

Blemishes and scars

I am having this problem of blemishes and scars. I use an Ayurvedic product to remove these marks but the ointment seems to produce more acne on my face! Ironically it is contributing to my scars! Is there any way out without any side effects?? Does Ayurvedic ointments also have side effects?? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.125.190.14 (talk) 12:40, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Please see here for the reasons that we cannot give the medical advice that you seek. For skin problems consult your doctor or a qualified dermatologist.Cuddlyable3 (talk) 13:46, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

See also Ayurveda, the section marked "Safety".--Shantavira|^{feed me} 15:45, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

relationship

I have a grandson from a previous marriage. My current wife which was a widow when we married has 9 granddaughters/sons. What would be the relationship (if any)with my grandson & hers. Her three sons/daughters are from the marriage before becoming a widow. Thank you. (e-mail address removed) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.34.158.2 (talk) 17:11, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

First of all, I removed your e-mail address for your safety (would get a lot of spam otherwise). --Ouro (blah blah) 18:15, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Step-cousin, I think. --Tango (talk) 18:36, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

That sounds correct. Grandchildren are either siblings or cousins to each other. Obviously not siblings in this situation, so cousins - specifically, step-cousins, or cousins-by-marriage. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:43, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Yes. No blood link so not a half-cousin. Kittybrewster ☎ 19:25, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Does laurel have a meaning in british culture?

Some Gymnasien, that are old schools, have little anti-war memorials for their students killed in action; The inscription reads: The laurel to you out of deep thankfulness, may the broken sword be a holy admonition

I included this picture into an article. It is a little anti-war-memorial, which can be found at many German schools, which are old schools and send some of their boys to war. First of all I hope it is non-offensive. It praises the boys killed in action, but because of the context (broken sword) i think one can see this is anti-war. Second I was not sure if the inscription makes sense to you. "The laurel" has a meaning in Germany. A laurel wreath may be given to students who win a sports competition or something like that. Does it have the same meaning in your culture? I have already been told in America ist has. I would also like to know if that kind of picture would be seen as offensive, because of course German caused two world wars... but actually I think this does not glorify war or waht Germans did, does it?-- Greatgreenwhale (talk) 19:06, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Well the broken sword is symbolic of "no more war", so it's fine by me! If you look up the word "laureate" you should get an idea of the role of laurel wreaths in UK culture. --TammyMoet (talk) 19:30, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

wikt:laurel might help. The only time I've heard the word used is in the phrase wikt:rest on one's laurels. --Tango (talk) 19:33, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Surely you're familiar with "...it's my privilege to present a laurel. (...) And hearty handshake..." Comet Tuttle (talk) 19:45, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

In "To An Athlete Dying Young", poem number XIX by A.E. Housman in A Shropshire Lad (1896), the winner of a town race is told that "early though the laurel grows, it withers quicker than the rose" and concludes

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.

I think laurels were placed on the heads of Olympic winners (both classical and at least some modern, even today) and Roman Emperors. Olive branches are more commonly associated with peace, as in the Great Seal of the United States and the Flag of the United Nations, I think referring to an olive branch brought by a dove returning to Noah's Ark, indicating the proximity of fertile land and an end to the storm. —— Shakescene (talk) 20:18, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

It is also used in cooking where it is usually just called a "bay leaf" but it is from the same tree Bay Laurel as the laurel wreaths. Bielle (talk) 21:39, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Upon the instruments of death

The sunlight brightly gleams.

When every man is torn apart

With nightmares and with dreams,

Will no one lay the laurel wreath

When silence drowns the screams.

"Epitaph" by King Crimson. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:37, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Have a look at the "Angel of Peace"[9] waving his laurels on Constitution Arch in London. I (and I hope most other Britons) recognize that Germany ought to remember her war dead as we do. Alansplodge (talk) 22:53, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for so many answers. What you wrote is very interesting for me. So I think it is okay to keep the picture like it is.

By the way does Houseman hold the opinion that it is smart to die young before your glory fades away? I would intepret it like this.-- Greatgreenwhale (talk) 14:13, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

Engineering Question -Flipper's Ditch

Henry Flipper, West Point graduate engineer, designed a swamp drainage ditch and supervised its construction at Ft. Sill, OK. The ditch was considered a marvel and has a national historical landmark.

The water runs up hill through the ditch. How was making the water run up hill accomplished? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Stantex (talk • contribs) 20:11, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

I do not believe that Mr. Flipper's ditch could make water run uphill, unless energy were expended via a pump or some process requiring energy. Otherwise he could let it run uphill to a higher point and then power a turbine as it fell back to the origin, which would be perpetual motion. Maybe the terrain just made the destination of the ditch look higher than the origin. References? Edison (talk) 21:00, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Sounds like an illusion. This page [10] quotes Flipper: One time when the ponds were dry and before the rains set in, GeneralDavidson detailed me to dig a ditch and drain them. He gave me a fullTroop of Cavalry and I went down, made my surveys and estimates and cameback and reported to him. He then ordered a Troop of Cavalry to reportto me every Sunday morning, relieving the one that had worked the weekbefore. I finished the ditch and the Commanding Officer and other officerswent down to look it over. We got down in the ditch and the General toldme I had it running up hill and that the grade was wrong. It certainlylooked that way, but I knew I was right. You stand on a level street andyou look along it and it seems to rise and grow narrower, although youknow it is of uniform width and level. However, I put the instrument onit and convinced him it was all right. When the rains came, the waterflowed away perfectly and there never were any more ponds. The healthof the Post improved wonderfully. I have been told the ditch is stillthere and is known as "Flipper's Ditch." 198.161.238.18 (talk) 21:31, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Lieutenant Henry Ossian Flipper was America's first Black military officer.[11]. Today a large bronze marker commemorates Flipper's Ditch at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. See the article on Henry Ossian Flipper. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:23, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Rather like "The Water that Flows Uphill", one of the Seven Wonders of Fore in Ireland[12]. And it really does look as though it's flowing uphill - don't ask me how! Alansplodge (talk) 22:29, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

Water flows uphill[13] refers to an underground flow of water which appears to flow uphill. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 22:44, 28 January 2010 (UTC)

There are many places in the world where water appears to flow uphill - it's always an optical illusion in which the horizon gently slopes in the opposite direction to the stream. Local people marvel at how a ball dropped onto a nearby road will roll "uphill" or how they can put their car in neutral and it'll roll up to the top of the hill. Some are even amazed at how a spirit-level can be fooled. Why none of these people realise that there is a blindingly simple explanation - I have no clue. Anyway - we have an article on them: Gravity hill and a List of magnetic hills with an astoundingly long list of places where astoundingly stupid people live magic really works! SteveBaker (talk) 03:51, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

"...the only real magic - the magic of knowledge." (Extra credit for identifying the source of that quote.) ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 05:52, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

Film? I got a lotta work but I started searching... --Ouro (blah blah) 12:49, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

No need to risk getting fired. Check about 30 or 40 seconds from the end of this clip:[14] ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:23, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

That's what I figured, but I didn't check it thoroughly though. And I cannot get fired, thankfully I'm self-employed :) --Ouro (blah blah) 18:05, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

You might at least suspend yourself for using large bandwidth on company time. :) I like that 10-minute episode condensation. With that approach, you could absorb the entire series in about 17 hours if you were so inclined. That quote, I think, serves the 1950s well, when we were relatively optimistic about the future. It's also ironic, coming in a show about a man who can fly. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 19:04, 29 January 2010 (UTC)

I watched the clip today. I don't really know much about the show besides it, but it's interesting what you said. Thanks for it. And if you want to know - I usually tend to eat on company time, too, and take my work home ;) Have a great weekend! --Ouro (blah blah) 12:23, 30 January 2010 (UTC)

The Canal du Midi in France actually runs over a mountain! Impossible ? Yes. But Pierre Paul Riquet in the 17th century realised he could build the canal in two parts, both flowing down from a central water supply at the top. The problem was in finding water at the top. It was one of the Modern Wonders of the World and handled hundreds of thousands of tonnes of commercial goods each year. The internal combustion engine finished it as a trade route. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site much used for recreation. (Perhaps someone will kindly add the Wiki reference?)Froggie34 (talk) 09:26, 29 January 2010 (UTC)