A reader pretty much knows what they're in for when they check out a book titled Why You Shouldn't Eat Your Boogers & Other Useless or Gross Information about Your Body: a quick read and some disgusting fun facts that one's husband will be mortified about when you break them out at work parties.
I was expecting something along the lines of Why Do Men Have Nipples?, and other medical trivia books. Human anatomy questions are indeed answered here:
"Do bugs live in eyelashes? Most people don't like the idea that bugs can live on their skin and hair. However, the truth is that many bugs do, and they live with us in harmony, most of the time. By the time we reach late adulthood, most of us have wiggly, microscopic, wormlike mites called demodex mites living in the roots of our eyelashes." (p. 31.)
But what I didn't expect was the fun historical and cultural information:
"What is the difference between Brazilian and Hollywood bikini waxing? [The Brazilian] waxing treatment traditionally leaves a small rectangle of hair, or 'landing strip,' on the mons pubis, the area found just above the genitals. The Brazilian wax usually includes the waxing of the labia as well as between the buttocks (ouch!), which is why it can be more painful than a traditional bikini wax. However, those Hollywood gals had to take it one step further, and created the Hollywood bikini wax. This involves whisking the whole lot off, leaving it totally bare down there. Some women have claimed that a Hollywood is even more painful than giving birth, so it may be best to have a few stiff drinks before attempting this one." (p. 39.)
"What was unusual about King Charles VIII of France's toes? Toward the end of the fifteenth century, King Charles VIII of France is said to have made it fashionable for men to wear shoes with square toes. He himself had six toes on both feet, and for this reason he decreed that very wide shoes were something to be admired." (p. 70.)
All in all? Fun stuff. Now I just need to find a party to attend before I forget which organ can grow back if it is cut in half, and why poo is brown.
Forget the work parties, you REALLY need to start breaking this stuff out at family get togethers!
Posted by: M | 03 July 2008 at 09:29 AM
M,
As you well know, I'm usually trumped at family get togethers with other family members' sharing the news of their own weird bodily goings-on. There's no way I can beat that with trivia :)
And I really don't want to describe Brazilian OR Hollywood waxes to Mom.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 03 July 2008 at 09:51 AM
Dang. My daughter just tried to make me buy her this book at Borders, this afternoon. I told her we could surely snap it up from the library shelves soon. Alas, betcha there is a huge waiting list! Nah, this is neither cocktail party chit-chat nor family get-together conversation, but dang, makes one fine blog-post!
In line again...
tl
Posted by: The Laundress | 05 July 2008 at 09:00 PM
Laundress!
I must admit, I don't think I'll have a hard time saying "no" to purchases any children I might have want to make--I've been saying "no" to a Wii for Mr. CR for years now so I'm in practice. But when they want to buy books I might weaken--although I recognize that can get out of hand too.
It's a fun book, but definitely one that can be checked out from the library and enjoyed.
And, are you saying that you don't discuss specialty waxes in your family? Doesn't everybody?
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 06 July 2008 at 08:33 PM