What happens when a dog eats a frog?

Usually when a dog eats a frog, the frog is digested in the dogs stomach acid and absorbed like any other food would be.

However, there are exceptions - if a dog eats a a red tree frog it has be known for the frog to lodge permanently in the dogs oesophagus. This is relatively painless for the dog and the frog can live for many years simply surviving on scraps of food that pass it on the way to the dogs stomach.

In South America, many wild dogs develop a strange bark due to the amphibian lodged in their digestive tract. For many years tribes people believed that these dogs had been possessed by an evil spirit and widespread fear of these croaking dogs was commonplace.

Occasionally a frog will grow sufficiently large as to restrict a dogs airway, this tragic occurrence usually results in a depleted oxygen supply to the dogs brain causing peculiar behaviour such as heavy drooling, apparent disorientation and the marked desire to lick electrical outlets.

Who invented the slinky spring?

The slinky was actually invented by accident by Dr. Francis Crick (of Watson and Crick fame).

While conducting an early study of DNA, Crick attempted to make a model of the molecule's structure using lab grade aluminium wire. The first model was made too narrow to allow the second helix to be inserted correctly so it was discarded. The lab technician working that day took the coil of wire out with the other rubbish but dropped it whilst walking down the stairs. To his surprise, the spring began to walk down the stairs of It's own accord! He called Dr. Crick who then came to observe the phenomena and they both had a good laugh at the delightful behaviour of the spring. Originally Crick wanted the spring to be known as the 'Crick curve' but he decided it was better to tie his name to DNA so instead he named it after the lab technicians cat, 'Slinky'.

Is it a good idea to dress as a Nazi?

[dwwae was sent this question by Jonty Toff from the Bullingdon club.]

No, not at all. Nobody likes a Nazi.

It is singularly a very very bad idea you idiot.

For further conformation please see one of your cousins in action:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-11609438

and how could we forget:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/4170083.stm

No. No. No.

Does the expression, 'Pro Bono' have something to do with U2?

This is a common misconception based on a misprint in the original sleeve of the Joshua Tree album by U2.

'Pro Bono' is actually a shortening of 'Pro Bono Publico' - a Latin expression meaning, 'for the public good'.

Many people wrongly assume the expression to mean 'in favour of Bono' - although this is incorrect, the statement is a perfect demonstration of a Latinate or classical tautology.

As his oft quoted mother once said, 'no one actually likes Bono, not even me!'.

Why was the cricket bat originally invented?

[This question was sent to dwwae by Mr. J. Wilne of Surrey, U.K.]

The cricket bat was indeed invented many year prior to the invention of the game itself. Experts are divided between two main schools of thought on this topic.

The first view is that the cricket bat is derived from the French culinary tool, the 'croquette' bat. Used widely in rural France to pulverise ingredients (most commonly potato) and then roll them in to the familiar roll shape often found served today.

The second school believes that the cricket bat is the name of the actual bat used in the killing of crickets and other insects found in long grasses across the world for millennia. A 1920's historical survey by J.P. Avery, shows that the occupation of 'pest batter' was widespread in eastern Europe and it is suggested that the 'cricket bat' is simply the tool used by these men to kill the insects.

EXPERT OPINION - JLS to record song for Children in Need.

In a bid to streamline services in the charity sector, JLS have been asked to record the song for this years Children in Need appeal. Under the governments new efficiency scheme, the band themselves will benefit directly from the sale of the record thus "cutting out the middle man". A spokesperson for dwwae suggested that the money raised could, 'make a real difference' and 'begin to develop a much needed sense of self worth amongst the band'. 


dwwae will be keeping an eye on developments.

Is a raccoon able to make omelettes?

This question was sent in by one of our readers.

dwwae has looked into this and discovered an 18th century account of a raccoon from France, known as 'Le petit chef' who worked in the court of Louis XIV at the palace of Versailles. Louis was known for his love of eggs and although there is no direct evidence it seems likely that 'Le petit chef' would have made him omelette's - one of his favourite dishes. His culinary renown spread amongst the aristocracy during the reign of 'Le roi solieil' (the sun king) and he was very much a minor celebrity in his day. Sadly his reputation was tarnished when he offended the King with a poor choice of desserts during an important banquet with Jean-Baptiste Colbert resulting in King ejecting him from the court. He lived for a year or two in abject poverty, disgraced, distressed and depressed. His career was however resurrected after a chance meeting with the writer Moliere who took him under his wing and allowed him to cook in exchange for board.

During his time spent in service of Moliere, he was credited with the invention of onion rings.