Mouse The first computer mouse ever. It proved the most workable of a bizarre range of pointing devices...
Culture Vulture
Pamela Or, Virtue Rewarded Samuel Richardson
Import: Pioneering work. Arguably the first book in English that qualifies as a novel, in form and substance. Attained a cult status in 18th century Britain.
Plot: Virtuous, but deadly dull maidservant fends off libidinous master. Six hundred pages later he makes amends by marrying her.
Drawback: Sappy moralising. Watch a Hindi film instead—more fun.
So you thought you knew all about
Tom Cruise
He jacked up Ray Bans sales and we hope he turns vampire—like outside our bedroom window. Try spotting the wart in his picture perfect bio.
A. He nearly passed out after his first kiss as he was holding his breath.
B. Discovered he was dyslexic when seven.
C. Spent a year at a Franciscan monastery before deciding acting was his true calling.
D. Will take home 5% of Spielberg’s ‘The War of the Worlds’ takings, plus a share of profits from the film’s merchandise, as his fee.
Answer D. His cut is 10% of the film’s earnings. With two upcoming sequels’ his earnings could breach the $200 m mark, making him the highest paid actor in Hollywood ever.
what is
Flibbertigibbet
If you can get your tongue around it, this is what you’d call a person who chews your ear off. With ceaseless, frivolous talk, that is. Oddly, Shakespeare’s demon by the name in King Lear ("This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet") isn’t endlessly talkative, merely an allegory.
