Category: Why is it?

Why is it that for more than 2,000 years February has had fewer days than the other eleven months? Why is it that in the first part of the year the odd numbered months have 31 days, but then without reason the eighth, tenth and twelfth months do? Why, if Augustus stole a day from February to add to his month (August, previously Sextilis), couldn’t we move it back?

Why is it that you can buy $40 or $50 worth of gasoline with a credit card without showing anyone the card or signing, but still have to sign, say for $15 worth of pizza?

There’s actually a reason. The credit card companies have exempted certain categories of merchants from the signature requirement and, after all, those gasoline purchases are authorized electronically. The credit card companies are extending this no-signature privilege to most other types of merchants for small purchases this year.

I also discovered that the credit card companies do not require you to show ID. In fact, their rules prohibit a merchant from denying a credit card transaction because you refuse to show ID. They do require your card to be signed and they do expect the cashier to verify some commonality between the card signature and the signature on the receipt (ha, good luck with that).

Putting “Ask for ID” on your credit card instead of your signature is not acceptable and your card should not be accepted without a signature according to the credit card companies. Besides, who wants to be flashing their driver’s license (with your address, etc.) to every Tom, Dick and Sally that asks for ID? You don’t have to according to Visa, Master Card, etc.

None of the above applies at Best Buy however, which requires a DNA sample for a credit card purchase.

Why is it that if you buy orange juice in a waxed cardboard container, say Tropicana Pure Premium High Pulp, it has a pour spout on the top, but if you buy milk in a waxed cardboard container you have to rip open a corner of the top to make a pour spout? Why can’t milk have a plastic spout too?

Why is it that sports announcers say someone has a rocket for an arm? This is usually said about outfielders and quarterbacks, sometimes pitchers.

Shouldn’t it be that they have a rocket launcher for an arm? Isn’t the ball in fact the rocket?

Why is it that the music they play while you are on telephone hold is (usually) so horrible?

Are they trying to make the waiting that much more difficult irritating?

The temperature is well into the 70s now and so time to break out the summer uniform — shorts and polo shirts. The problem is it seems that my shorts have shrunk over the winter. How do clothes shrink while they are put away in drawers?

If the speed limit is 25 mph, why do they install speed bumps that necessitate slowing to 15 to keep from damaging your car?

I noticed a new store today — “Simply Amish.” It’s a good name, but why does it give me an uneasy feeling?

Google stock closed today around $711 a share. Why does it continue to rise?

I use a lot of paper towel. I know, I know, not good. Why hasn’t someone come up with a more environmentally correct paper towel? (I have stopped buying bottled water, though. I got a couple of Nalgene bottles at REI and use water from the refrigerator. I find I’m drinking even more water, too.)

A guy pulled up alongside me today as I was cruising at the speed limit in the center lane of a three-lane road. He very determinedly and aggressively gave me the finger. He then sped ahead, cutting in-and-out of lanes. Why? (All I can figure is someone in a car “like mine” must have offended him sometime.)

Why is it that four of the months have never been named for anything but a number, while the first eight months of the year are named for someone or something?

January is named for Janus (that two-faced guy); February after februa, a celebration of purification and forgiveness; March for Mars, the god of war. April comes from aperire, Latin for opening, as in the opening of buds in the spring (or possibly from Aphrodite); May is named for Maia, the goddess of of plants; June for Juno, the goddess of marriage and well-being.

Then along comes Julius Caesar and he has the gall in 44 B.C.E. to rename Quintilis (for fifth month, as it was then) to Julius (July). Not to be outdone, Augustus renamed Sextilis (for sixth month) to Augustus (August) in 8 B.C.E.

So, why did it stop 2015 years ago? I mean, there are September (seven), October (eight), November (nine) and December (ten) just sitting out there like blank billboards waiting for a clever new name. (And the numbers are no longer even correct!)

Surely, Julius and Augustus can’t be the last two guys in Western culture with enough ego to rename a month after themselves.

Maybe those folks that are worried about “Christmas” becoming “the holidays” ought to take a look at the calendar. There are all kinds of opportunities for mischief.

[Reposted from a year ago.]

Why is that all of a sudden penguins are a theme in Christmas decorations? Where did they come from?

Why is it that four of the months have never been named for anything but a number, while the first eight months of the year are named for someone or something?

January is named for Janus (that two-faced guy); February after februa, a celebration of purification and forgiveness; March for Mars, the god of war. April comes from aperire, Latin for opening, as in the opening of buds in the spring (or possibly from Aphrodite); May is named for Maia, the goddess of of plants; June for Juno, the goddess of marriage and well-being.

Then along comes Julius Caesar and he has the gall in 44 B.C.E. to rename Quintilis (for fifth month, as it was then) to Julius (July). Not to be outdone, Augustus renamed Sextilis (for sixth month) to Augustus (August) in 8 B.C.E.

So, why did it stop 2014 years ago? I mean, there are September (seven), October (eight), November (nine) and December (ten) just sitting out there like blank billboards waiting for a clever new name. (And the numbers are no longer even correct!)

Surely, Julius and Augustus can’t be the last two guys in Western culture with enough ego to rename a month after themselves.

Maybe those folks that are worried about “Christmas” becoming “the holidays” ought to take a look at the calendar. There are all kinds of opportunities for mischief.

Why is it that so many of those who rushed to blame the Ramseys for JonBenet’s death have now rushed to judgment on John Karr? He too is seen as guilty until proved innocent (and already there is considerable doubt that he’s the culprit).

Another reason we shouldn’t carry guns. Too many of us shoot from the hip and ask questions later (if at all).

Why is it that the Baby Einstein series of videos, CDs and toys is so popular? Einstein himself didn’t talk until he was three and was never considered gifted (as a child).

Why is it that in restaurants when they celebrate a customer’s birthday they always sing some dumb chanty-like song instead of the tune we all know — Happy Birthday to You?

Why is it that every hotel room seems to have different bathtub fixtures from every other hotel room? I spend more time trying to figure out how to make the shower work and the water warmer/cooler.

Why is it that male television sportscasters covering baseball or football games wear jackets and ties?

Why is it that restaurants seem to have so many more personnel than they used to — two or more hostesses, a doorman/woman, runners that bring the food — but much of the time the service is poor?

Why is it that so many restaurants are so noisy? What consultant said, “And it’s a good idea to have an open ceiling to echo and emphasize all the sound”? It’s not a good idea. It’s an awful idea.

And for that matter, why is it that so many restaurants think it’s a great idea to have the kitchen and dining area all in one big open space? I don’t want to see the kitchen — and I especially don’t want to hear it. I don’t think I’m alone in this.

And. why is it that, in Albuquerque, the El Pinto restaurant is so inconsistent? A few weeks back, with out-of-town guests, it was nearly perfect — good food, excellent and attentive service. This week the food was mediocre and the service worse than indifferent. People, it’s time to quit glorifying in the spotlight (President Bush has eaten there five times) and re-focus.

Why is it that, seemingly, every Albuquerque police cruiser I have ever seen has been speeding? Has it occured to APD that this might undermine respect for them in the community and efforts at law enforcement in general?

And why is it that undocumented immigrants are called “illegal aliens”? We don’t call people with traffic convictions “illegal drivers.” We don’t call tax cheats “illegal citizens.” We don’t call baseball players with obvious steroid use “illegal ballplayers.”

Why is it that people are writing that at 01:02:03 this morning, that is, on 04/05/06, we had a set of numbers (01:02:03 04/05/06) we won’t see again for 1000 years?

How are they planning to note 01:02:03 of April 5, 2106? Isn’t that just 100 years? Won’t that be 01:02:03 04/05/06 too?

Why is it that you only get a penny for your thoughts but you have to put your 2-cents worth in?

Who’s pocketing the difference?

If Zacarias Moussaoui and his gang receive 70 virgins each in heaven, what in God’s name did that many virgins do to deserve Moussaoui and the hijackers as punishment?