Library Leaves - 5
Published on 31 March 2021
Wiyabu.
This edition of Library Leaves is brought to you by the words ‘recovery’ and ‘sashay’ and the number 8.
I like to keep LL informative and entertaining but it’s also important to acknowledge when times are tough. From all the staff at MidCoast Libraries to everyone impacted by the recent floods we wish you a speedy return to normalcy. What a few years we’ve had. 2019 we were in the grip of a horrendous drought, followed by devastating bushfires. Then Covid changed the world in 2020, and now floods of brutal proportions. I reckon we deserve a break.
Remember if we have to close our doors at short notice, we have a very extensive collection of online books, audio books, magazines and streaming movies available from our website.
Did you know that standard size books are called octavos? Why? Back in the day, books were made from very large sheets of paper that were then folded and cut. The more you folded the smaller it got. Standard book size was folded eight times - thus the name octavo.
Larger books are called quartos - you guessed it - folded four times. Really big books are folded twice - and these are called folios. The ridiculously large books go by the charming name of elephant folios.
Also, did you know there was a cataloguing system to rival Dewey called Bliss? Wouldn’t that have been so much cooler? Nip down to the library for some Bliss. You still can, but it’s a different kind of bliss.
Speaking of bliss, have you heard about the Bliss Point? Coined by researcher Howard Moskowitz, it is the point at which fat, salt and sugar reach an irresistible point. It’s also a nasty health cocktail. This is why many foods now have sugar in them, even if you don’t realise it - because it makes us crave more. Good for business but not for you. Think you’re immune? Check out the sugar content in a slice of bread next time.
Random cool word: sashay. It means to walk in a cool manner throwing in a fair bit of slinky swaying. I reckon it’s a word that sounds exactly like sashay would sound if it was a sound. Like the word glint.
Dad joke - my friend said: ‘My kids refuse to eat fish. What do you think is a good replacement?
Me: ‘Cats. Cats love fish.’
French phrase: ‘Qu'est-ce que pour le dessert, papa?’ (What’s for dessert Dad?)
Klingon: ngaghhomDaq lIngpu'bogh ghotpu''e' (Have another slice of bread, son!)
Gapu. Djurumi.