Anagram Anarchy - One

We now embark onto a new journey - a weekly analysis of the language of anagrams.

From Wikipedia:

An anagram (Greek, anagramma 'letters written anew', passive participle of ana- 'again' + gramma 'letter') is a type of word play, the result of rearranging the letters of a word or phrase to produce other words, using all the original letters exactly once.

Each week, I will produce a new anagram for a chosen word or phrase. It's your job as budding translators to rearrange the letters to produce the answer.

If you are the first person to correctly identify the answer, you'll win a free "translation" of (and link to) your website. Just leave your entries in the comments to this post.

If no one gets it, the correct answer will be announced Monday morning.

This week's anagram:

Oxford Therein Hope

Hint: A secret society that has recently gained notoriety.

Can you help me translate? Good luck!

The Power of Schmooze

Schmooze - Slang (shmooz). To converse casually, especially in order to gain an advantage or make a social connection.

I found out that I was awarded the Schmooze award almost simultaneously by two great blogging buddies:

Tom at Tom's Hideaway and Editor at Deer Camp Blog.

As a translator, I'm honored to accept this wonderful ribbon for linguistic achievement! I'm glad to be part of the schmoozing community. The com-schmooz-ity, if you will.

Thanks again, guys!

The Superb Lyrebird

Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), Australia.

We will now trek into the deepest forests of Australia, where we will attempt to translate the language of birds. Specifically, we will investigate the incredibly complex vocalizations of the Superb Lyrebird. You won't believe the sounds that this amazing creature can imitate. Watch all the way through for the most bizarre calls:

What a fascinating language. It's just unfortunate that it now includes elements of our destructive "vernacular", too.

What do you think will be the next addition to the Lyrebird's dialect?

Can you help me translate?

Postcards from the Edge : Kuanyin in Maui, HI

(Click for larger view)

Our next journey takes us to Maui, Hawaii, the home of my friend Kuanyin of Blog-Blond. Kuanyin recently sent me the latest entry for Postcards from the Edge...of the World, featuring one of my favorite animals:

(Click for larger views)

Thanks, Kuanyin! It sounds like a beautiful and "happy" place to live! And as a Melanoma Researcher, I must say that tanning beds are more than a waste of money - they're evil!

WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN, KIDS!

Blog-Blond is a wonderful place to go and join the "class", to learn a whole bunch about blogging. And with a teacher that looks like that, how can you go wrong?

Do you want to know how to increase your Technorati ranking? Read Blog-Blond. Do you want to learn about joining "U Comment, I Follow"? Read Blog-Blond. Want to learn anything and everything about blogging?

Visit Blog-Blond. It's a website that I totally get. No further translation necessary.

And if YOU are interested in sending me a postcard and having your website "Translated", it's simple! All you have to do is send me a postcard, and when I put it up on Rosetta Rants, just write a post linking to my post, so all your friends can see your card! That way, more people will learn about my idea, too! Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

And CLICK HERE to read my previous postcards.

I can't wait to hear from you!

Keystone, Colorado

We now travel to beautiful Keystone, Colorado, where my good friend Splantrik has met me for a few days of R&R.

It's an awesome resort, even in Summer. Lots of outdoor activities for everyone - boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, and of course, my favorite pastime - eating.

The Snake River.

Yesterday, we went for a hike along the Snake River. Saw lots of barn swallows, and the scenery was amazing.

I think we're off to rent a boat on lake Dillon and to do some fishing.

Back to translating tonight.

Toilet Landing Lights

U.S. Patent, 1993.

One of the most popular subjects on this blog has to be the language of toilets. I've posted many times on "potty humor", and those posts have always been my most popular. I can't explain it. It must have something to do with my readership. Well, here's another:

Have you ever had to use the restroom in the middle of the night? Sure, you have.

But have you ever tried to use the restroom without those pesky lights that make you squint? Sure, you have. And you probably fell in, right?

Well, no more! Thanks to the amazing and futuristic Toilet Landing Lights! Flip the lid, and you'll feel as though you've been teleported to the Death Star, ready to evacuate your waste into the furthest reaches of space.

But seriously, "landing lights" sounds like you're parking something really big in a hangar, or something.

That's right, buy your own set of Johnny Lights, today! (Batteries not included).

I just don't get the language of Toilet Lights. Maybe they just need a better name.

Can you help me translate?


From Patently Absurd.

Postcards from the Edge : Splantrik in Santa Fe, NM

(Click for larger view)

My next Postcards from the Edge...of the World have arrived from St. John's College, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My great friend Splantrik, at Splantrik's Superness has sent his second round of cards! That's right. Out galavanting around the world, Splantrik took the time to send your humble Translator some postcards:

(Click for larger views)

Ahem...yes, well very nice. I'm not quite sure what saltwater can be found in Santa Fe, but it's very interesting. And I'm sorry you don't like the small rocks in Santa Fe. Perhaps when you visit Denver, I can provide you with a very nice assortment of rocks.

(Click for larger views)

Bless you. And I'm sorry you don't have proper eye wear for your trip. By the way, Splantrik, you should say "hi" to Jaya while you're down there!

If you would like to see my review of the wonderfully random Splantrik's Superness, please CLICK HERE.

And if YOU are interested in sending me a postcard and having your website "Translated", it's simple! All you have to do is send me a postcard, and when I put it up on Rosetta Rants, just write a post linking to my post, so all your friends can see your card! That way, more people will learn about my idea, too! Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

And CLICK HERE to read my previous postcards.

I can't wait to hear from you!

China Debuts World's Largest Public Toilet

While we're on a roll, let's stay in China, where the city of Chongqing has opened a 30,000-square-foot public restroom, featuring more than 1,000 theme toilets. Doesn't the little girl in the photo look scared? I would be, too.

From Yahoo News:

"We are spreading toilet culture. People can listen to gentle music and watch TV," said Lu Xiaoqing, an official with the Yangrenjie, or "Foreigners Street," tourist area where the bathroom is located. "After they use the bathroom they will be very, very happy."

Toilet culture? What about spreading disease?

Sanitation should really come first, when it comes to public toilets. Peeing into a urinal shaped like the Virgin Mary is less important to me:



And what's with those drinking fountains? I just don't get theme restrooms.

Can you help me translate?

World's Tallest Man Weds

REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA)

We now travel to the Inner Mongolia region of China, where we will investigate the language of - well, tallness. From Yahoo News:

Bao Xishun, 56, a 2.36-metre (7-ft, 9-inch) herdsman from China's vast Inner Mongolia region, was carried to his wedding on the back of a mobile yurt pulled by camels at the Genghis Khan holiday resort on the grasslands near Erdos city.

Hundreds of people, some travelling for hours, turned up to see Bao wed saleswoman Xia Shujuan, a mere 1.68 metres (5 ft 6 inches) tall and just 29 years old.

Now, he does realize that he's doomed to a life of freakish Honey-Do Lists, right?

"Honey, that ceiling fan needs to be replaced. Can you reach up there and do it without getting up from your chair?"

"Honey, that cat is stuck on the roof again. Can you reach up there and grab him without fully extending your arms?"

"Honey, while you're up there, can you bend down and clean out the gutters?"

"Honey, can you change that lightbulb in the hall? With your teeth?"


Besides basketball and changing lightbulbs, at what can a man of his stature succeed? Can you help me translate?

Postcards from the Edge : Frog, Jelly, and Obi-Sven in Fleetwood, UK

(Click for larger view)

The next episode of Postcards from the Edge...of the World comes to us from Fleetwood, Lancashire, UK. My great friends Frog, Jelly, and Obi-Sven from Frog's Frogtastic Wagsite have sent me a postcard:

(Click for larger view)

Wow! It seems like an amazing beach, guys! And what a great postcard that you made with your own furry, little paws! My friends also sent me another card from their "pet", Bimmy the Bookish at Frogblogdoglog:

(Click for larger view)

Thanks, Bimmy! I think this card is great, even though you had a tough time finding it! Fleetwood seems like a wonderful place to live!

Frog, Jelly, Obi-Sven, and Bimmy spend their time over at FrogBlogDogLog and Frog's Frogtastic Wagsite discussing furballs and helping children to learn new and exciting things.

Kids can play a wonderful memory game with Frog, send a free E-card, and learn about Frog's two very cool books.

It's loads of fun, so please be sure to pay them a visit! I totally understand their websites. No further translation necessary.

And if YOU are interested in sending me a postcard and having your website "Translated", it's simple! All you have to do is send me a postcard, and when I put it up on Rosetta Rants, just write a post linking to my post, so all your friends can see your card! That way, more people will learn about my idea, too! Please CLICK HERE to learn more.

And CLICK HERE to read my previous postcards.

I can't wait to hear from you!