Wacky news that makes you go "wtf?"

[Dobri]

A tester of Mersenne numbers could be called "Mersennery" and the plural would be "Mersenneries".

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by Dobri

A tester of Mersenne numbers could be called "Mersennery" and the plural would be "Mersenneries".

We have already embraced that:
https://www.mersenneforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=30

[Dobri]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

We have already embraced that:
https://www.mersenneforum.org/forumdisplay.php?f=30

A web search gives an additional link:
https://thatsmaths.com/2012/11/01/a-mersennery-quest.
The next step for this neologism could be to enter common use:
https://public.oed.com/contribute-to...ubmission-form.

[kriesel]

The millkshake shakedown https://www.wired.com/story/they-hac...rted-cold-war/

[tServo]

Marmots are medium sized rodents native to areas in the western U.S. Recently, they have become addicted to the sweet taste of auto antifreeze ( I thought it was poisonous ?!? ). They have become SO addicted that they will tear apart parked cars and trucks to get the stuff, ripping apart any hose they find in the engine compartment until they hit radiator hoses. people have resorted to wrapping their cars in tarps to deter the rodents.

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/Nation...dicted-Marmots

[Dr Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by tServo

Marmots are medium sized rodents native to areas in the western U.S. Recently, they have become addicted to the sweet taste of auto antifreeze ( I thought it was poisonous ?!? ). They have become SO addicted that they will tear apart parked cars and trucks to get the stuff, ripping apart any hose they find in the engine compartment until they hit radiator hoses. people have resorted to wrapping their cars in tarps to deter the rodents.

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/Nation...dicted-Marmots

Hmm, as article mentions, ethylene glycol is lethally toxic to dogs and cats. People have intentionally used antifreeze to kill unwanted animal visitors, but it is hideously cruel. Some of its metabolites form crystals that collect in the kidneys and cause kidney failure, while others affect the nervous system and brain. The result is a painful, lingering death over a period of days.

It's similarly toxic to human beings. People have in the past used antifreeze to commit murder. The old TV series Forensic Files had some episodes describing some cases. They would add antifreeze to some sweet food or drink.

But I thought that as a result of such crimes, antifreeze now contains "denaturants" that give it an intensely bitter taste. Perhaps I'm misinformed, or perhaps the denaturants don't work on some animals.

Marmots have a well-known lowland relative, the woodchuck or groundhog. I hope to heck they don't decide they need to fatten up on antifreeze...

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by tServo

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/Nation...dicted-Marmots

That is a 19 year old article. Here is something about 2 years old from the Feds:
https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/marmots.htm