Traits
Donkeys grazing in central Texas.
Donkeys grazing in central Texas.
Most wild donkeys are between 102 cm (10 hands) and 142 cm (14 hands) in length. Domestic donkeys stand under 91 cm (9 hands) to over 142 cm (over 14 hands) tall. The Andalucian-Cordobesan breed of southern Spain can reach up to 16 hands high. Donkeys are adapted to marginal desert lands, and have many traits that are unique to the species as a result. They need less food than horses. Overfed donkeys can suffer from a disease called laminitis. Unlike horse fur, donkey fur is not waterproof, and so they must have shelter when it rains. Wild donkeys live separated from each other, unlike tight wild horse herds. Donkeys have developed very loud voices, which can be heard for over three kilometers, to keep in contact with other donkeys of their herd over the wide spaces of the desert. Donkeys have larger ears than horses to hear the distant calls of fellow donkeys, and to help cool the donkey's blood. Donkeys' tough digestive system can break down inedible vegetation and extract moisture from food more efficiently. Donkeys can defend themselves with a powerful kick of their hind legs.
Etymology
The word donkey is one of the most etymologically obscure in the English language. Until quite recent times, the standard word was ass, which has clear cognates in most other Indo-European languages. No credible cognate for donkey has yet been identified, though it is possible that it is a diminutive of dun (dull greyish-brown), a typical donkey colour; and originally, "donkey" was pronounced to rhyme with monkey. x
In the late 18th century, the word donkey started to replace ass, almost certainly to avoid confusion with the word arse, which, due to sound changes that had affected the language, had come to be pronounced the same way (/æs/ > /ɑ:s/ and /ɑ:rs/ > /ɑ:s/). The /ɑ:s/ pronunciation of ass was eventually restored to /æs/ in order to reserve the distinction, but not without the curious consequence of American English losing the word arse entirely and assigning its meaning to ass.
The incorporation of horse into sawhorse, referring to a wooden frame which supports work in progress, can be compared to the donkey-related etymology of the English word easel, from the Dutch ezel and German Esel. In both languages, the word refers to both the animal, and to an easel (as in painter's easel) as well.
Originally posted by ivan2908That's not where the carrot goes.
Traits
Donkeys grazing in central Texas.
Donkeys grazing in central Texas.
Most wild donkeys are between 102 cm (10 hands) and 142 cm (14 hands) in length. Domestic donkeys stand under 91 cm (9 hands) to over 142 cm (over 14 hands) tall. The Andalucian-Cordobesan breed of southern Spain can reach up to 16 hands high. Donkeys are adapted to marginal des ...[text shortened]... uages, the word refers to both the animal, and to an easel (as in painter's easel) as well.
Trivia
* In 2005, a poll of 2,000 people revealed that the carrot was Britain's third favourite culinary vegetable.[2]
* Carrots are noted in popular culture for being the favorite food of rabbits, and are also associated with fictional rabbits such as Bugs Bunny. However, rabbits finding carrots in a garden are more likely to eat the exposed greens than to dig up the root.
* For the purposes of the European Union's "Council Directive 2001/113/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption" carrots can be defined as a fruit as well as a vegetable. This is because carrot jam is a Portuguese delicacy.
* A common urban legend is that carrots aid a human being's night vision. It is believed that disinformation introduced in 1940 by John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham during the Battle of Britain was an attempt to cover up the discovery and use of radar technologies [3][4]. It reinforced existing German folklore and helped to encourage children to eat the vegetable. Lack of Vitamin A can, however, cause poor vision and can be restored by adding Vitamin A back into the diet.
* The world's largest carrot was grown in Palmer, Alaska, by John Evans in 1998, weighing 8.614 kg (18.99 pounds).
* The world's largest carrot statue is located in Ohakune, New Zealand.[5]
* Carrots are traditionally used as noses when building snowmen.
* The comedian and entertainer "Carrot Top" is named after a carrot because of his bright orange hair.
* Susan Dey, of Partridge Family fame, was said to have eaten so many carrots during her bout with anorexia and bulimia that her skin literally was tinged with orange - a condition called carotenosis. [6]
* Holtville, California holds an annual festival devoted entirely to the carrot.
