1812

For the past 30+ years, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture has been performed during countless United States' Independence Day celebrations, due largely in part to an exhilarating performance by the Boston Pops in 1974, conducted by Arthur Fiedler. In an effort to increase ticket sales, Fiedler choreographed fireworks, cannons, and a steeple-bell choir to the overture, as Tchaikovsky himself called for the use of cannons in his score.

Many American's believe that Tchaikovsky's overture represents the USA's victory against the British Empire during the War of 1812, however, Tchaikovsky actually tells the story of Napoleon's retreat from Russia in 1812.

In fact, Tchaikovsky even references the French national anthem ‘La Marsillaise’ and Russia's ‘God Save the Czar’ within the music.

From http://classicalmusic.about.com/od/romanticperiod/qt/Tchaikovskys-1812-Overture.htm

Booby prize

A booby prize is a joke prize usually given in recognition of a terrible performance or last-place finish. A person who finishes last, for example, may get a booby prize such as a worthless coin. Booby prizes are sometimes humorously and jokingly coveted as an object of pride.

The word "boob" stems from the Spanish bobo meaning stupid, which in turn came from the Latin balbus meaning stammering; the word booby to mean dunce appeared in 1599.

Booby prize literally means "idiot's prize". The OED dates this usage to 1893. Booby trap and "booby hatch" are related terms.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby_prize

McGillycuddy & MacGillycuddy

The McGillycuddy of the Reeks (Irish: Mac Giolla Mochuda) is one of the hereditary chiefs of the name of Ireland. The current family head is Donough McGillycuddy, who lives in Himeville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McGillycuddy_of_the_Reeks

MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Irish: Na Cruacha Dubha, meaning "the black stacks") is a mountain range in County Kerry, Republic of Ireland.

See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macgillycuddy%27s_Reeks

Weaseling out of things ...

Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It’s what separates us from the animals … except the weasel.

Homer Simpson

From http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/174

Beard Tax

The beard tax is the best known of a series of measures enacted by Tsar Peter I (Peter the Great) to transform and regulate the appearance of his subjects.

As early as 1698 the tsar ordered many of his prominent courtiers to shave their beards, and in 1699 he began to mandate the wearing of European fashions at court functions.

See full article at http://www.answers.com/topic/beard-tax

By the pricking of my thumbs ….

Q: What is the meaning of the quote By the pricking of your thumb something wicked this way comes?

A: It means that something evil or terrible or "wicked" is on it's way. The witches in Macbeth (from whom this quote is said) can apparently detect evil by the cracklings in their thumbs.
This is similar to saying that when bad things are about to happen, the hair on your neck stands up straight.

From http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_meaning_of_the_quote_By_the_pricking_of_your_thumb_something_wicked_this_way_comes

 

When Catweazle's thumb is pricking he immediately knows somebody is approaching him. A book on superstition actually states that people used to believe an itchy or pricking thumb heralded visitors. Other superstition regarding the thumb is also described: people used to believe that a pricked thumb was a sure sign that evil was on its way. It was also believed that people with a long thumb were stubborn, and a wide thumb was said to indicate prosperity.

From http://www.catweazlefanclub.co.uk/catweazles-world.html

Russell's teapot

Russell's teapot is an analogy first coined by the philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) to illustrate that the philosophic burden of proof lies upon a person making scientifically unfalsifiable claims rather than shifting the burden of proof to others, specifically in the case of religion.

Russell wrote that if he claims that a teapot orbits the Sun somewhere in space between the Earth and Mars, it is nonsensical for him to expect others to believe him on the grounds that they cannot prove him wrong.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell%27s_teapot