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10 things we learned this week TheStar.com - sciencetech - 10 things we learned this week
January 28, 2007
John Sakamoto

This just in: 84 per cent of workers are "not currently in their dream job." Attributes that define said job: having fun (39 per cent); making a difference in society (17 per cent); and salary (12 per cent). (careerbuilder.com)

Google receives 1300 resumés a day. (Fortune)

Assmosis: "The process by which some people seem to absorb success and advancement by kissing up to the boss." (The Office Lexicon website)

Eating two poppy-seed bagels could produce a positive drug test for opiates. (livescience.com)

Hot dogs come in packs of 10 while hot-dog buns come in packs of eight or 12 because bakers package their goods in dozens (or multiples of three or four), while meatpackers sell by the pound – and a standard hot dog weighs 0.1 pound. (Wired)

The first use of "hot dog" as a slang expression appeared in print in 1894 and denoted a well-dressed student. It is likely a variation on "putting on the dog," meaning "to make a flashy display." (www.wordorigins.org) Sleeping on a big decision, such as buying a house, is "more likely to produce a result people remain happy with than consciously weighing the pros and cons of the problem." The conscious mind should be trusted only with simple decisions, such as choosing a brand of oven mitt. (NewScientist.com)

Momniscience: "The ability of moms to know what you're planning to do before you do it. Example: Bill attributed his mother's ability to figure out his post-prom party plans to momniscience." (pseudodictionary.com) Tomorrow is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. The inaugural event, in 2001, included activities such as a popping relay and Pop-a-Mole (think Whack-a-Mole with Bubble Wrap). ast-pack.com/bubblewrapappreciation.html)

"All the tea in China" is worth an estimated $1,870,449,333 (Cdn.)a year. (Wired)

– John Sakamoto