Wholly Random Dictionary; part 1

Whenever I encounter a word/phrase/name I'd like to know more about, I write it down and look it up later. I'm going to start looking up these notes, and posting the here, don't expect everything to be exiting :) Most definitions and descriptions are swiped from Wikipedia.

Cuticula 

In biology, a cuticle (pronounced /ˈkjuːtɪkəl/) or cuticula is any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or part of an organism, that provide protection. They are non-homologous, differing in their origin, structure and chemical composition. (like skin, or nails)

Catharsis 

Purification/Cleansing/Clarification

viz./viz/videlicet 

namely/that is to say/as follows cf. 

Confer/consult i.e/id est That is (to say)/in other words/in this case e.g./exemplis gratia 

For the sake of example/for example i.f./in fine 

In the end

John Coleman

John Coleman was an American news weather forecaster. He founded The Weather Channel (but is no longer affiliated with it), and presently works as an on-camera weathercaster at KUSI-TV in San Diego. In the fall of 2007 he described the current concern over global warming "a fictional, manufactured crisis, and a total scam." He also declared the scam "a threat to our economy and our civilization." Ted Bundy

Ted Bundy is a notorius American serial killer who murdered numerous young women between 1974 and 1978. He twice escaped from prison before his final apprehension in February 1978. He eventually confessed to 30 murders, although the actual total of victims remains unknown. Estimates range from 29 to over 100, the general estimate being 35. Typically, Bundy would bludgeon his victims, then strangle them to death. He also engaged in rape and necrophilia.

Quid pro quo

A Latin phrase meaning "something for something" or "a favour for a favour", similar to "tit for tat" or "this for that" =) Cataglyphis

Cataglyphis is a genus of ant in the subfamily Formicinae. Its most famous species is C. bicolor, the Sahara Desert ant, which runs on hot sand to find insects that died of heat exhaustion, and can sustain body temperatures of up to 50°C. Most species of the genus live in or around the Sahara, but some live in Turkey, Hungary and as far north as southern Russia.

Fun fact: The Sahara Desert and was also discovered to be able to navigate to and from its burrow using the sun.

The Aquatic Ape theory

The aquatic ape hypothesis (AAH), sometimes

 referred to as the aquatic ape theory, is a theory about the evolution of humans hypothesizing that many of the characteristics that distinguish modern humans from the common ancestors of the Hominidae genetic family are the result of a period of evolution in proximity to bodies of water. Characteristics include a relatively thick layer of subcutaneous fat, the pattern and sparse amount of hair on the skin, upright posture, dietary needs for omega-3 fatty acids, the opposable thumb, a descended larynx, thewaxy coating on the skin of infants, the shape of the nose and voluntary control over respiration. The evolutionary pressures thought to explain these changes include methods of feeding (underwater foraging) and types of food eaten (fish and shellfish).

The hypothesis was posed in the 60's, but has only gradually gaining acceptance in wider circles of the paleoloantropologic community the last 30 years. Mannequin birds

The Mannequin birds, or "Manakin" live in the American tropics and display a wide variety of colors, shapes and courship behavior. Some species make snapping or buzzing sound with their wings, others jump from branch to branch or do elaborate dances in order to attract a mate. These birds can make whistles, trills, and buzzes with their characteristic sound box. 

Anachronism Anacronism literally means something which is "agains" (ana) time (chronism). An anachronist prefers older, often obsolete cultural artifacts over newer ones. For example, a modern-day anachronist might choose to wear a top-hat, use quill pens, or use a typewriter. This choice may reflect an eccentricity, aesthetic preference, or an ethical acceptance or rejection of the societalrole of that artifact. An anachronism can also be an artifact which appears out of place archaeologically, geologically or temporally, or an argument/theme/idea belonging to "another" time.

Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation was a union of territories in Central Europe during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period under a Holy Roman Emperor. The first Holy Roman Emperor was Otto I in 962 AD. The last was Francis II, who abdicated and dissolved the Empire in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite its name, for much of its history the Empire did not include Rome within its borders. The empire reached its greatest extent during the 1600's.

Kinkajou

The Kinkajou, also know as the "Honey Bear"  is native to Central America and South America, this arboreal mammal is not very rare, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. Kinkajous may be mistaken for ferrets or monkeys, but are not related. Like raccoons, kinkajous' remarkable manipulatory abilities rival those of primates. The kinkajou has a short-haired, fully prehensile tail (like some New World monkeys), which it uses as a "fifth hand" in climbing. Because their loudest call is shrill and resembles a woman's scream, one Spanish folk name for the kinkajou is "la llorona" ("the weeping woman"). Kinkajous have excellent senses of touch and smell, but poor vision: they cannot differentiate colors. Kinkajous are sometimes kept as pets. They are playful, generally quiet and docile, and have no noticeable odor. However, they can occasionally be aggressive. Kinkajous dislike being awake during the day, and dislike noise and sudden movements. An agitated kinkajou may emit a scream and attack, usually clawing its victim and biting deeply. In El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras pet kinkajous are commonly called micoleón, meaning "lion monkey".They live an average of about 23 years in captivity, with a maximum recorded life span of over 55 years.

Hesiod 

(Greek: Ἡσίοδος Hesiodos) was a Greek oral poet, of unknow date, but estimated to have lived in the eight century BCE.  Hesiod's writings serve as a major source on Gree mythology, farming techniques, archaic Greek astronomy and ancient time-keeping. His most famous works are "Theogony" and "Works and Days"