Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2011 November 22

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November 22

highest number of blood donor

what is the highest or maximum number of blood donor in a single blood donation camp,in world till nowHalka fulka (talk) 01:23, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Possibly one in Mumbai, India on 25 April 2010. 25,065 donated blood over 12 hours. See [1]. Not sure if it has been surpassed since then. --Jayron32 01:29, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Prostate Cancer

No, this is not a medical question, but I wonder if there are statistics which show that male porn stars have a lower incidence of this problem, (as I presume that they have more sexual activity than most of us), since I have seen a claim that the greater this activity the lesser chance of getting this cancer.--85.211.153.242 (talk) 07:25, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

No idea of the answer. Just being a spelling pedant. It should be Prostate, with only one r. HiLo48 (talk) 07:32, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Interesting question. After 3 minutes in Google Scholar, I don't see any studies of porn stars, but I see a meta-analysis study dated 2002 that reports a 20% increase in the risk of prostate cancer for an increase in sexual activity by 3 times a week, a 20% increase per 20 lifetime sexual partners, and a 130% increase if you were ever infected with syphilis.

On the other hand, I just saw an article recently that claimed that residents of Okinawa are 7 times less likely (age adjusted) to die of prostate cancer than Americans. That was attributed to high-vegetable, low-meat Okinawa Diet. (I also saw a documentary movie claiming an even greater reduction, but I haven't had time to check that claim.) That might be an easier way to avoid dying from prostate cancer (among other things) than becoming a porn star.

I've seen so many medical studies (often contradicting each other) that I tend to take them with a grain of salt. But a 7x difference in mortality rates is usually an indicator that something significant is going on.--Itinerant1 (talk) 07:41, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Okinawans, Sardinians, and Seventh-Day Adventists from Loma Linda tend to live the longest, apparently. 80.122.178.68 (talk) 10:55, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I don't know about Sardinians. Mormons in Utah tend to live at least 5 years longer, on average, than typical for Americans. I don't think it's been fully explained.--Itinerant1 (talk) 11:01, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

The lack of alcohol consumption among Mormons likely plays a role, strong family and community ties probably doesn't hurt either. Utah has had a fairly low poverty rate, which would help longevity, as well. (And they look at a lot of porn, apparently. [2]) Mark Arsten (talk) 19:13, 25 November 2011 (UTC)

How wealthy is the average Mormon compared the average American? Wealth is an excellent predictor of longevity. --Tango (talk) 19:59, 26 November 2011 (UTC)

A grain of salt will reduce cramp pains.--85.211.153.242 (talk) 09:14, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Being no less a spelling pedant than HiLo48, I have corrected the question title for easier reference. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 12:00, 25 November 2011 (UTC)

"Red Indian"/ American Indian Names

Why do Red Indian names always go like "Stands with a fist", "Howls at the moon", "Kicks with his feet"?? The names are in their language, right? So why would anyone translate the meanings of those names into English while referring to those people? Even (real) Indian names have meanings in the corresponding languages, but I don't see anyone translating them literally while writing them in English... 223.190.239.230 (talk) 13:25, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

One look at Sitting Bull's Indian name, for example, might give a clue why the names are translated. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 13:47, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

(edit conflict) The term "Red Indian" is mildly offensive; depending on the context "American Indian" is less so, and "Native American" (US) or "First Nations" (Canada) are more accepted terms for pre-Columbian residents of North America; the least offensive thing is to refer to people by their individual nations of which they are decendent (Oneida, Cherokee, etc.). The naming system you note, where Native American names are translated into English, is not as prevalent as the Hollywood Movies would have you believe. The practice is not entirely unknown (Ben Nighthorse Campbell, William Least Heat-Moon, etc.) however there are many Native Americans who are known either by European names (Jim Thorpe, Graham Greene) or by names in their own native languages (Pocahontas, Sacagawea, Massasoit, Cochise). I'm not entirely certain of why the translation occurs; my suspicion is because many of their names may have been difficult for Europeans to properly pronounce. --Jayron32 13:50, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

(ec)

For starters, they aren't always. Sometimes they are known by our best mangled pronunciation in our language: Chief Seattle for Si'ahl, (pronunciation: [ˈsiʔaːɬ] or [ˈsiʔaːtɬʼ]; Tecumseh for Tekoomsē, also known as Tecumtha or Tekamthi, whose article describes the sign which occurred after his birth that his name derived from. Native American names were often describing a sign or significant event so the meaning was the important thing to convey (some of the sounds of the Native languages are very difficult for Europeans as well). Names may be acquired at birth, after an adulthood ceremony, or after a significant life event. This page comments on modern trends of having an Indian name and a Christian (everyday name). Compounds of European names are also common like Leonard Crow Dog, or Luther Standing Bear (originally Ota Kte meaning Plenty Kill but renamed at residential school). Rmhermen (talk) 14:03, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

The answer is really simple: "That white guy asked for my name. He doesn't know the words I use, so if I tell him, he won't understand. Yesterday, he asked what I call a crow, and then he tried to say it and it sounded like a monkey was trying to talk. I don't want that to happen to my name. So I need to tell him using the words he uses." Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 14:20, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

on that explanation. If you are inventing your own explanation, please indicate so... --Jayron32 14:21, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

What do you mean? Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 14:22, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I mean, you have presented an answer to the OPs question as an authoritative answer, but have done so without any indication where that answer came from. If the answer comes from a Wikipedia article, please link it. If it has come from another online source, please link that. If it comes from something you read or saw on a TV show, please indicate where. If it is merely some speculation you have, please indicate that as well. --Jayron32 14:30, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Oh. OK. Personal knowledge. Now try to say Tłʼízíłání... ;) Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 14:32, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Jayron, as Seb az86556 is active on the Navajo Wikipedia, this is apparently his or her own personal explanation for what s/he him/herself does. Marco polo (talk) 14:34, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I pronounce it Many Goats, of course (I think from quick google search). If someone could sort out this line in the Allen Dale June article, it would be nice: ..."born for Tłʼízíłání, and his father was named Yéʼii Dineʼé, born for Tachíiʼnii." born into? born of the? what is the meaning here? Rmhermen (talk) 14:43, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

born into/born of (nilį́igo)=first clan, born for (yáshchíín)=father's clan. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 14:45, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

(outdent) Pocahontas whose real "secret" name was Matoax or Matoika or Matoaka but who was called Amonute as an adult until she became Rebecca Rolfe is a good example of some of the complexities. There is also the explanation of the common addressing of elders as "Grandfather" as that their sacred names are too special to use as a mere form of address. Rmhermen (talk) 14:35, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I don't think it's possible to generalize about Native American names. There is at least as much cultural diversity among the indigenous peoples of North America as there is among indigenous peoples of a similarly sized region in the Old World (therefore greater diversity than among the peoples of Europe). Each ethnic group has its own practices, and individuals may vary in their practices. Marco polo (talk) 14:41, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I've read something on this topic, but can't remember at the moment what it was--will try to remember. Meanwhile, the practice of using English words for Native American names (whether rough translations of their native names or wholly new names) goes way back, but so does the use of native names, even long, hard to pronounce names (though often "Anglicized" to some degree).

Not all Native American names could be translated--depending on the culture. Personal names in the Pacific Northwest, for example, typically did not have a specific meaning. For example, Chief Seattle ("Si'ahl"), as far as I know, doesn't mean anything in particular in Duwamish; nor does the name of his relative, Chief Kitsap; nor Chief Leschi; nor Maquinna or Wickaninnish of earlier times farther north. As far as I know these names mean as little in their languages as Jayden does in English (whatever original meaning there might be is non-obvious to most people).

There is also a long history of natives acquiring and using English names (or French, Spain, etc) for various reasons (especially converting to Christianity and being given a Christian name, and as a result of intermarriage). (as an aside, I'm fond of the Christianized names of two Native Alaskan saints, Peter the Aleut and Herman of Alaska)

I used to think the use of names like "Red Cloud" only became common in the 19th century and mainly for the Plains Indians, but there are numerous earlier examples, like Handsome Lake and his half-brother Cornplanter, yet a contemporary Seneca was called Sayenqueraghta; also Cornstalk and fellow Shawnee Blue Jacket. Red Jacket was known as Otetiani among the Seneca, but later given a new name, Sagoyewatha. As with the Iroquois, there was a wide variety of name-types among the Cherokee. The first example that comes to mind is Attakullakulla and his son, known as Dragging Canoe in English (though I doubt he or any of his "Chickamauga" followers would have used anything but his Cherokee name). Anyway, I will try to find the source I am thinking of...maybe coffee will help my brain. I suspect the more well-known (or stereotyped) style like Rain-in-the-Face, White Man Runs Him, and One Who Walks With the Stars is remembered so well because the Lakota and other Plains Indians were among the last to be subjugated and among the most romanticized since the end of the Indian Wars. By that time, the mid-to-late 1800s, practice went both ways too--Custer was called "Yellow Hair" by some of his native enemies. Pfly (talk) 18:51, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

I just have to cite the example of Young Man Afraid Of His Horses, which, according to the article, is a translation of his real name. Clarityfiend (talk) 20:27, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

You beat me to it, I was going to post that, although the article doesn't jibe with what I have read, in that the Sioux word for horse was their word for "big dog" and the real meaning of his name was "His enemies even fear his camp dogs". The Mark of the Beast (talk) 20:56, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Angela Merkel's mudra

Why is Angela Merkel often doing a kind of mudra? (search for Angela Merkel superglue to see it). I don't see any German politician doing anything similar... — Preceding unsigned comment added by 88.8.74.46 (talk) 14:03, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

It's obviously just a personal habit or mannerism. Lots of people have physical habits like that. Hers has attracted attention because she is in the spotlight a lot and because a lot of people (especially in places like Greece) dislike her and therefore want to ridicule her. Marco polo (talk) 14:53, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Well, why is she still doing it, if people is laughing at it? 88.8.74.46 (talk) 16:05, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Why does Bill Clinton point with his thumb if people mock it? Perhaps it doesn't bother her. People have lots of mannerisms, and famous people with characteristic mannerisms see those mannerisms show up in caricatures of them. It doesn't mean they care... --Jayron32 17:32, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

In her hakina mudra (Sanscrit) or "that which brings joy" position, Merkel's five fingers represent the elements of the cosmos. The tip of the thumb represents the center of the fire element The tip of the index finger is the center for the air element. The tip of the middle finger is the center for the sky element. The tip of the ring finger is the center for the earth element. And finally, the tip of the little finger is the center for the water element. Angela needs the mudra's calming effect when she warns that Europe could be living through its 'toughest hour since World War Two'. Cuddlyable3 (talk) 20:45, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Believe me when a German tells us that we could be in for the toughest hour since World War Two we take it very seriously. -- Q Chris (talk) 09:29, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

Chris: people don't know what you are talking about, when you say 'we' or 'us' on the Internet. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.58.205.34 (talk) 18:46, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

Well "we" in Europe do, and I expect people in other continents can guess! Dbfirs 17:49, 27 November 2011 (UTC)

what does this mean

Hello, have received this text and I do not know what they could mean! Can anyone help me?

It's dem, veed deur bebyffeet, uh, hoommeeggburds 'n meelky veys, doooohhhh, It's dem, hurde-a yuoor sea shells, doooohhhh, Bloo oooot de-a beeg veeck, It's dem, it's dem, it's dem,

Nu nut yuoor beetemins, doooohhhh, oor peelloo oor muneecle-a, uh uh uh, dees oone's dgoost reeteuoosness helff fooll 'n lugeecel meunveboohll remute-a ebsuluut, 'n noohehe-a t' gu, boot oonerd 'n uperd, clesp croons gruoond de-a heert, uh, let trunsmeesshoon cummess, hellu, guudbye-a derk, Reel i vundeh is dees ell meteheeel, Dees cun't be-a heee, de-a leete-a is tuu dooll De-a furss teeme-a i spuke-a moost hebe-a beee

it duesn't luuk leeke-a un ice-a scoolptoore-a... oor dues it, dooh...uh...? iff i reel peyeed ettenshoon teeme-a voodd mube-a festeh 'n festeh, lundscepes 'n stetes ooff netoore-a voodd gellup 'n seenk beff'e-a me-a, uh uh uh, 'teel ell ves steell 'n un oorcheed ne-a instunt, uh, oone-a reech vheete-a boorsteegg oorcheed stuud in chunnels 'n de-a reebehs deep beloo beooty, greemece-a, uh uh uh, flee-a, uh uh uh, suools dun't neeed shelteh, neteebe-a veboohll smehts redeeetigg druoogh shune-a, uh uh uh, vhet's scereed smell seete-a, a sveemmigg preezm's grey cure-a vheech oone-a veell iheck a deffeenishoon f' sheeh bleess 'n set its sembeless seessere-a 'n oobboohjeck veed preede-a doon gently beff'e-a a glube-a ooff dgooje-a 'n grooje-a in oopee f'oom...i deenk... nu oone-a, uh uh uh,hoondreds ooff duoosunds ooff chetteheegg seelbeh feceed munkeys screech und feend dem fesceenetigg, elduoogh noohehe-a t' be-a fuoond oon de-a peheephehy ooff, uh uh uh uh uh, sume-a geneheshoon, hooh i'm nut femeelier veed zee, dooh uhh, tehm,

bueelid tu a creck, heppy noo, uh uh uh uh uh uh, vhu'll be-a burd in hund, uh uh uh uh, i'be-a beee mooteeletid tryeegg, teecheegg myselff preffehess, techneeke-a 'n ecceptebeeltiby, it seems yuoor sun is ooff cunsoomed, uh uh uh uh, bueelid tu a creck, vhet du yuoo meun dehe's nu ooer, dooh...uh...? ell de-a reshoons, dooh...uh...? suoond de-a elerm, dehe-a moost be-a a stooevey, a dreep, bure-a, uh uh uh, a creck 'n a treeckle-a, uh uh uh, suun de-a hooll gedeheed its budy, und dey ell droon t' meet veed a green, steeck 'n hunkehcheeeff, uh uh uh uh uh, emeed zee, uh uh uh, flooeboohreegg doost ooff zee, irrr, crussrueds, doooohhhh, dun't peteh oooot oon me-a noodroost yuoor feest intu zee, IRRRR, soonset, uh,

textoore-a veedin zee, uh uh uh, fuutpreents 'n un ind etup zee, uh, zee veend, uh uh uh uh, i feel leeffleeke-a...sumedeegg sumedeegg t' crevl oon, soonleet smell, a vree beneed zee, IRRRR, sueel presess beyund vells, doooohhhh, ert is ibehyvhehe-a, uh uh uh, i reffoose-a t' knoo vhehe-a, uh uh uh, i vundeh t' knoo vhehe-a ert is, doooohhhh, ibehyvhehe-a i vundeh t' knoo vhehe-a ert is, doooohhhh, ibehyvhehe-a i vundeh...

next teeme-a i'm bured, uh uh uh uh, de-a mun's gueegg doon i'll st'p oon unyune's broonbeg 'n loonch...vhee dey're-a nut luukeegg. it's nut eckooel bed rep, i dgoost dun't feel it, uh, dehe-a i seeed it. Um de hur de hur de hur. Cloddy Hans (talk) 15:13, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Looks like someone trying to spell a heavy central continental European accent. Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 15:21, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

(ec)I can't tell all of it, but much of it is understandable if you read it aloud, for example "it duesn't luuk leeke-a un ice-a scoolptoore-a" would be "it doesn't look like an ice sculpture"--Jac16888 ^Talk 15:22, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

http://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/dose_one_boom_bip/its_them-lyrics-1249180.html Choyoołʼįįhí:Seb az86556 ^{> haneʼ} 15:32, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

That's pretty impressive dude!!! Richard Avery (talk) 18:08, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

This looks like it's a piece of text that has been run through the Dialectizer, many times, each with a different dialect. It's too heavily dialected for me to make sense of it right now, I would have to take more time to take a closer look at it. JIP | Talk 18:51, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Oh, it looks someone already figured out what it means. JIP | Talk 18:53, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Tapir in da house

Malayan tapir

Would a Malayan tapir be able to get into a normal house (say a 1870's terrace), ascend the stairs onto the first floor, and then, at a later point, descend the steps to the ground floor and leave the house again without any damage to the tapir or house? Harley Spleet (talk) 21:24, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

Sure, if the door is open and the stairs aren't too steep -- see the picture. Looie496 (talk) 00:07, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

I wonder if the OP is considering having one as a pet.

And I wonder if they would make good pets or if they would be trouble. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:15, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

I think the OP woke up in the night and found a tapir in his/her room and (s)he is trying to work out if it was real or a dream Richard Avery (talk) 08:16, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

Military mail and supply lines

Are the supply lines delivering military mail to war zones typically kept separate from those that are of enough strategic importance to potentially be targets of an attack (e.g. those carrying food or munitions), at least in the case of high-value insured mail? NeonMerlin 21:48, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

As far as I know: military orders, intelligence information and post etc., are sent to together by the fasted possible route and means of transport (i.e. often by air). So I suppose they are kept separate in that sense. --Aspro (talk) 22:01, 22 November 2011 (UTC)