I think I'll make Thursday the www.HowStuffWorks.com homage day. Let's see how long I can remember...
Today's topic is inspired by the article, 10 Future Home Innovations...That Weren't.
Our good(?) friends(??) at Monsanto had a "House of the Future" exhibit at Disneyland from 1957 to 1967. When the exhibit closed in 1967, the reinforced polyester structure was so strong, it took innovation to bring down this innovation! The innovation that definitely didn't fly was a home nuclear power plant. I can see chimneys retrofitted to become cooling towers now!
Space food hasn't really caught on, except for certain freeze-dried items we now take for granted. Or love-hate, such as instant coffee. (I'm drinking some right now with no complaint!) That just boosted sales. Mine looks more like this, though. I can get it at Uwajimaya, but it's nice to know you can get it on Amazon.com, too! Oh, and Tang was on the market before NASA sent some into space.
Videophones, but not quite the ones that are actually in use today, have been in imaginations for decades. Imagine being able to carry on an ASL conversation with someone without having to type or go through an intermediary! We're not there, yet, even with Skype and FaceTime.
I remember a "picturephone" toy I had in the very early '70s. Fondly. I can't find a photo (readily) at this juncture. Sorry!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Notifiblog: Oh, the mysteries I could solve...
Yesterday, whilst using the company intranet to do my (temporary, sob-sob) job, I noticed several places where the company logo for TriMet appeared. Little TriMet roses appeared on tab screen headings. They appeared in one of my Favorites files--but only next to links to internal documents and intranet pages. Strange, eh!
My first concern was that there was an ethics violation--unintended, of course. (One of my favorite things this company does better than any I've ever worked for is ETHICS.) I emailed the one person I knew could direct me to the right people. She also is the hiring manager for the job I want, but we didn't e-talk about that.
So, after raising a red flag, I decided to do what little I have access to do: I cleared my browser cache. That restored the proper icons, but I'm NOT satisfied. How did that happen? I wonder if there's a naming convention collision. I can't find out until I get access to the deep, inner workings of SharePoint, however. Which brings me, finally, to today's Notifiblog topic: solving mysteries.
My Mum and Grandmother used to read mystery novels by the armloads. (Mum still reads; Grandmother, not so much.) This just learned: they actually preferred the detective fiction subgenre.
Agatha Christie's Miss Marple was a staple. Dame Margaret Rutherford portrayed Miss Marple on film during the 1960s.
Children do like to imitate the adults in their lives. I thought I was really grow-up when I began reading all the Encyclopdia Brown books I could find at our local Library.
One of the most fun series I read (at Mum's recommendation) were the Judge Dee stories by Robert van Gulik. Van Gulik was a sinophile who wrote his own stories based on a real Chinese detective novel he translated. The judge in the detective novel was, in turn, based on a real Chinese magistrate, Dí Rénjié.
Let's solve some mysteries today!
My first concern was that there was an ethics violation--unintended, of course. (One of my favorite things this company does better than any I've ever worked for is ETHICS.) I emailed the one person I knew could direct me to the right people. She also is the hiring manager for the job I want, but we didn't e-talk about that.
So, after raising a red flag, I decided to do what little I have access to do: I cleared my browser cache. That restored the proper icons, but I'm NOT satisfied. How did that happen? I wonder if there's a naming convention collision. I can't find out until I get access to the deep, inner workings of SharePoint, however. Which brings me, finally, to today's Notifiblog topic: solving mysteries.
My Mum and Grandmother used to read mystery novels by the armloads. (Mum still reads; Grandmother, not so much.) This just learned: they actually preferred the detective fiction subgenre.
Agatha Christie's Miss Marple was a staple. Dame Margaret Rutherford portrayed Miss Marple on film during the 1960s.
Children do like to imitate the adults in their lives. I thought I was really grow-up when I began reading all the Encyclopdia Brown books I could find at our local Library.
One of the most fun series I read (at Mum's recommendation) were the Judge Dee stories by Robert van Gulik. Van Gulik was a sinophile who wrote his own stories based on a real Chinese detective novel he translated. The judge in the detective novel was, in turn, based on a real Chinese magistrate, Dí Rénjié.
Let's solve some mysteries today!
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Notifiblog: There's a WHAT on my head!?
Last Friday, I was privileged to take a couple of hours off to go to the TriMet Lost and Found to retrieve The Handsome One's favorite item of headwear. He inadvertently left it on a bus. The replacement he bought just wasn't quite right.
I realized just from trying to describe the little hat to people, who did end up helping return it to The Handsome One's beautiful pate, we use vastly different words for the same item. Not to mention the images that enter my twisted imagination...
My East Coast friends call it a beanie. That makes me think of a Bob Clampett cartoon!
Portlandia-ites call it a stocking cap or knitted cap. I've also heard it called a watch cap. The Handsome One's hat does, in fact, have the folded cuff bit. Watch cap makes me think of Tock, the watchdog from The Phantom Tollbooth. (Awesome book I think every family should read.)
The Handsome One and I, who were both raised by rogue Canadians, call it a toque! (Please find a Canadian to pronounce it for you, if you don't already know!)
In any event, I ended up standing under a bus shelter for about half an hour in a cold, windy rain because I arrived just as the Lost and Found people went on break. But in the end...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! The little black Winterhawks toque is back where it belongs: keeping The Handsome One's head warm. It was so worth the cold toes!
I realized just from trying to describe the little hat to people, who did end up helping return it to The Handsome One's beautiful pate, we use vastly different words for the same item. Not to mention the images that enter my twisted imagination...
My East Coast friends call it a beanie. That makes me think of a Bob Clampett cartoon!
Portlandia-ites call it a stocking cap or knitted cap. I've also heard it called a watch cap. The Handsome One's hat does, in fact, have the folded cuff bit. Watch cap makes me think of Tock, the watchdog from The Phantom Tollbooth. (Awesome book I think every family should read.)
The Handsome One and I, who were both raised by rogue Canadians, call it a toque! (Please find a Canadian to pronounce it for you, if you don't already know!)
In any event, I ended up standing under a bus shelter for about half an hour in a cold, windy rain because I arrived just as the Lost and Found people went on break. But in the end...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! The little black Winterhawks toque is back where it belongs: keeping The Handsome One's head warm. It was so worth the cold toes!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Notifiblog: The Oscars Aftermath
I can't believe I watched the whole thing--minus that "red carpet" entry bit. There were a few surprises; mainly movies I'd never heard of that were nominated for various awards. And one I had heard of but figured no one would ever know anthing about it.
I was happy to see another Pixar win for Brave. The little CGI studio The Handsome One's cousin and five other people started is doing well.
Searching for Sugarman won for best doco. I wouldn't have known anything about it, but The Handsome One stumbled onto the story and bought the soundtrack, which includes most of the two albums Sixto Rodriguez recorded before he disappeared and became an icon in South Africa, Botswana, Rhodesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Everyone thought he was dead. Happy discovery, eh!
It was also nice to see an award go to Paperman, a Walt Disney Animation Studios release. John Lasseter of Pixar did have some input. This animated short was released with Wreck-It Ralph. I recognize the brilliant facial expressions for which Pixar has set the standard.
So, did you watch the show? Did you see any of the movies that were nominated?
Cheers!
I was happy to see another Pixar win for Brave. The little CGI studio The Handsome One's cousin and five other people started is doing well.
Searching for Sugarman won for best doco. I wouldn't have known anything about it, but The Handsome One stumbled onto the story and bought the soundtrack, which includes most of the two albums Sixto Rodriguez recorded before he disappeared and became an icon in South Africa, Botswana, Rhodesia, New Zealand, and Australia. Everyone thought he was dead. Happy discovery, eh!
It was also nice to see an award go to Paperman, a Walt Disney Animation Studios release. John Lasseter of Pixar did have some input. This animated short was released with Wreck-It Ralph. I recognize the brilliant facial expressions for which Pixar has set the standard.
So, did you watch the show? Did you see any of the movies that were nominated?
Cheers!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Notifiblog: Comma Karma
The comma is one of the most important tools we use (or misuse) in written communications. The comma is also our frenemy. Today's topic was inspired by the www.howstuffworks.com article, 10 Completely Wrong Ways to Use Commas.
The serial comma helps us with listed components in a sentence. Sometimes, though, it's that third item that gives us pause. Is it 1, 2 and 3? Or is it 1, 2, and 3? Perhaps you've heard of the book, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. At least that title HAS commas.
The comma splice is acceptable in some languages. English is definitely not one of them. Charles Dickens did it, but he was Charles Dickens. These days, we need to use conjunctions, semi-colons, or periods to separate two complete thoughts. I'm evil, I'm a stickler about grammar. See? Not so pretty. To remember the conjuctions (especially if you didn't grow up in the '70s with Schoolhouse Rock), think of "FANBOYS."
Most importantly, commas save lives:
Let's eat Grandma!
Let's eat, Grandma!
Hug a comma today! It's good for your Karma.
The serial comma helps us with listed components in a sentence. Sometimes, though, it's that third item that gives us pause. Is it 1, 2 and 3? Or is it 1, 2, and 3? Perhaps you've heard of the book, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. At least that title HAS commas.
The comma splice is acceptable in some languages. English is definitely not one of them. Charles Dickens did it, but he was Charles Dickens. These days, we need to use conjunctions, semi-colons, or periods to separate two complete thoughts. I'm evil, I'm a stickler about grammar. See? Not so pretty. To remember the conjuctions (especially if you didn't grow up in the '70s with Schoolhouse Rock), think of "FANBOYS."
Most importantly, commas save lives:
Let's eat Grandma!
Let's eat, Grandma!
Hug a comma today! It's good for your Karma.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Notifiblog: Stage Fright
I have to admit, I'm actually feeling a bit of stage fright: today I have a 30-minute telephone conversation scheduled with one of my company's HR recruiters. I've applied for an Internal Communications job within my company, and I have the audacity to think I'm qualified to do it.
Communication, in my humble opinion, is a meeting of minds. One sends; the other receives. If the meeting is successful, both parties come away with the same understanding.
I studied a few foreign (to me) languages for the joy of being able to communicate with people on their terms. And IN their terms. And so I could mutter at my computer in Japanese without hurting too many people's feelings.
I'm not sure if this is an interview-interview or a screening interview. Either way, I'm happy finally to get an "up or down vote" as the congressional term goes. I'll do my best not to start babbling--or shall we say filibustering--at the nice HR lady.
At least SOMETHING will be communicated today! Thank you for letting me let off a little nervous steam here.
Communication, in my humble opinion, is a meeting of minds. One sends; the other receives. If the meeting is successful, both parties come away with the same understanding.
I studied a few foreign (to me) languages for the joy of being able to communicate with people on their terms. And IN their terms. And so I could mutter at my computer in Japanese without hurting too many people's feelings.
I'm not sure if this is an interview-interview or a screening interview. Either way, I'm happy finally to get an "up or down vote" as the congressional term goes. I'll do my best not to start babbling--or shall we say filibustering--at the nice HR lady.
At least SOMETHING will be communicated today! Thank you for letting me let off a little nervous steam here.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Notifiblog: Who's that Knave?
The Handsome One suggested today's topic: playing cards, and more specifically, What is a jack face card? Shouldn't it be a prince?
Excellent questions! It's the familiar things in our lives that make the most fun (for me) to look up on Wikipedia!
The first known playing cards come from China, possibly around the 9th century, CE.
The standard deck ("pack" in UK) comprises 52 cards and two suitless Jokers. The four suits we use today, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, and Clubs, come from France.
The face cards, King, Queen, and Jack (also Knave), evolved around the 15th century, CE, to represent European royalty and attendants.
Here's the answer to The Handsome One's question, pulled shamelessly straight from the Wikipedia article, Playing card: "Also in the 15th century, Europeans changed the court cards to represent European royalty and attendants, originally "king", "chevalier" (knight), and "knave". The original meaning of knave was male child (cf German Knabe), so in this context the character could represent the "prince", son to the King and Queen; the meaning servant developed later."
Aha! He could be a prince. Bonus link.
Excellent questions! It's the familiar things in our lives that make the most fun (for me) to look up on Wikipedia!
The first known playing cards come from China, possibly around the 9th century, CE.
The standard deck ("pack" in UK) comprises 52 cards and two suitless Jokers. The four suits we use today, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, and Clubs, come from France.
The face cards, King, Queen, and Jack (also Knave), evolved around the 15th century, CE, to represent European royalty and attendants.
Here's the answer to The Handsome One's question, pulled shamelessly straight from the Wikipedia article, Playing card: "Also in the 15th century, Europeans changed the court cards to represent European royalty and attendants, originally "king", "chevalier" (knight), and "knave". The original meaning of knave was male child (cf German Knabe), so in this context the character could represent the "prince", son to the King and Queen; the meaning servant developed later."
Aha! He could be a prince. Bonus link.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Notifiblog: Okaaay. Valentine's Day, if we must.
If you know me, you know I go overboard with the Hello Kitty and the Cute. You'd think that makes me an expert on the romanticism of Valentine's Day. Not really. My favoritest-ever Valentine's Day prezzie (which I specifically said was NOT a requirement, beforehand) was one a Leatherman tool.
We can blame the idea of exchanging Valentine's prezzies and cards on Geoffrey Chaucer and his pals. By the 15th Century, romantic love was gaining more popularity than courtly love.
Courtly love must not be confused with Courtney Love. Just saying.
In Japan, today is the day we women give chocolate to the men in our lives. Even to teachers and bosses. Somehow, it's not as creepy as it sounds. And yes, it's only the women giving chocolate to the men.
Just wait 'til White Day!
We can blame the idea of exchanging Valentine's prezzies and cards on Geoffrey Chaucer and his pals. By the 15th Century, romantic love was gaining more popularity than courtly love.
Courtly love must not be confused with Courtney Love. Just saying.
In Japan, today is the day we women give chocolate to the men in our lives. Even to teachers and bosses. Somehow, it's not as creepy as it sounds. And yes, it's only the women giving chocolate to the men.
Just wait 'til White Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Notifiblog: Happy Lupercalia!
I know tomorrow is Valentine's Day, but what else can we celebrate? The more holidays we can have, the better, I say!
How about Lupercalia! We can send Lupercalia cards to our loved ones. We can exchange gifts! We can--oh dear--sacrifice two goats and a dog? Rethinking that one.
Februa is sounding a little healthier, now. To the Romans, it was a festival of ritual purification, involving water. Apparently, the word Februa comes from the Etruscan word for...ew...purging? Ew-ew-ew-ew-ew!
Willya look at that: today is the beginning of Lent for many Christians around the world. Which involves sacrifice and purification of a sort, if I'm not mistaken.
So, if you think about it, a lot of us have not strayed far from the sacrifices and purification rituals. Lupercalia and its predecessor, Februa, are still being observed, in a way.
Whatever you celebrate, I hope it's meaningful for you and your loved ones.
How about Lupercalia! We can send Lupercalia cards to our loved ones. We can exchange gifts! We can--oh dear--sacrifice two goats and a dog? Rethinking that one.
Februa is sounding a little healthier, now. To the Romans, it was a festival of ritual purification, involving water. Apparently, the word Februa comes from the Etruscan word for...ew...purging? Ew-ew-ew-ew-ew!
Willya look at that: today is the beginning of Lent for many Christians around the world. Which involves sacrifice and purification of a sort, if I'm not mistaken.
So, if you think about it, a lot of us have not strayed far from the sacrifices and purification rituals. Lupercalia and its predecessor, Februa, are still being observed, in a way.
Whatever you celebrate, I hope it's meaningful for you and your loved ones.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Notifiblog: Mardi Gras!
Today is the day people in many parts of the world celebrate Mardi Gras Day.
This just learned: The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions consider Mardi Gras the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday. See? There's an excuse for not starting that diet and exercise at the New Year, if there ever was such a good one!
I haven't been able to find anything short and definitive about why masks are such a tradition for Carnival, but it probably has something to do with facing your family and neighbors the next day.
King cake is a tasty tradition. The "kings," in this instance refer to the Magi, or the three wise men who are associated with Epiphany.
The most prolific item to be found in New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration has to be the Mardi Gras beads. Happily there is more than, ahem, that way to obtain Mardi Gras beads. (It's in the linked Wikipedia article--though no photo, so it's SFW.) I always got mine through the Goodwill or at various Portland festivals, none of which required any semblance of disrobing. Now, I learn all one needs to do is shout, "Throw me something, Mister!" at passing krewe members during the parades. Good to know, eh. And that there are crafty ways to recycle those beads after the party!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
This just learned: The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions consider Mardi Gras the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday. See? There's an excuse for not starting that diet and exercise at the New Year, if there ever was such a good one!
I haven't been able to find anything short and definitive about why masks are such a tradition for Carnival, but it probably has something to do with facing your family and neighbors the next day.
King cake is a tasty tradition. The "kings," in this instance refer to the Magi, or the three wise men who are associated with Epiphany.
The most prolific item to be found in New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration has to be the Mardi Gras beads. Happily there is more than, ahem, that way to obtain Mardi Gras beads. (It's in the linked Wikipedia article--though no photo, so it's SFW.) I always got mine through the Goodwill or at various Portland festivals, none of which required any semblance of disrobing. Now, I learn all one needs to do is shout, "Throw me something, Mister!" at passing krewe members during the parades. Good to know, eh. And that there are crafty ways to recycle those beads after the party!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Notifiblog: A Century Plus One
My Dad's birthday fell on Saturday this year. If he were still alive to complain about it, he would now be complaining about surviving 101 years--at that age, everything that works hurts. But great things do come in units of 101.
Animated Dalmatians, for example. There's a whole movie dedicated to the adventures of 101 little cuties. The 1966 movie was based on a 1956 children's novel.
Didn't every American household have at least one 101 Strings album in it at one time? They played symphonic easy listening music. Likely, we've heard them on elevators.
If you can think of a topic--just about ANY topic, someone probably has published 101 secrets book about it. Or a (topic) 101 book, implying it's introductory material.
Hmm...if I publish a mass-market book that supposedly contains secrets, doesn't that rather cancel the secretive nature of the secrets?
Happy 101st Birthday, Dad! Wherever you are. Oh, look...he's right here in my heart. Location pinpointed. Have a great day!
Animated Dalmatians, for example. There's a whole movie dedicated to the adventures of 101 little cuties. The 1966 movie was based on a 1956 children's novel.
Didn't every American household have at least one 101 Strings album in it at one time? They played symphonic easy listening music. Likely, we've heard them on elevators.
If you can think of a topic--just about ANY topic, someone probably has published 101 secrets book about it. Or a (topic) 101 book, implying it's introductory material.
Hmm...if I publish a mass-market book that supposedly contains secrets, doesn't that rather cancel the secretive nature of the secrets?
Happy 101st Birthday, Dad! Wherever you are. Oh, look...he's right here in my heart. Location pinpointed. Have a great day!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Notifiblog: The King's Speech (and ours, too)
Yesterday, I linked to an article about stuttering. It led me to wonder about the phenomenon of speech impediments. Nearly every one of us has some kind of, let's call it a quirk, in our speech. It's not always as notable as King George VI's. President Obama has one.
In the spirit of wellness and understanding through education, let's have a brief look at stuttering.
Stuttering, also known as Stammering, affects approximately 1% of the adult population. (Citation needed, but I think that statistic is a bit conservative.) Often, the worst problem with this very common disorder, the problem isn't communicating: it's the self-esteem issues. Please note: While the neurological causes aren't fully undertood, except in the case of drug use, which can lead to acquired stuttering, stuttering has nothing to do with intelligence.
Movie blondeshell, Marilyn Monroe, stuttered. (I made up that word, blondeshell, y'know.)
Joe Dougherty, the original voice of Porky Pig, had an authentic stutter that stayed with the character, even after Mel Blanc took over the role. Dougherty's stutter caused recording sessions to take longer than scheduled, and that's why he was replaced. The one thing a person who stutters needs is the listenener's patience. Good luck finding that in showbusiness, eh.
My humble little blog format doesn't go nearly as deep as the topic of speech disorders does. I hope you're inspired to learn more about them. Thank you for your patience and willingness to learn something along with me!
In the spirit of wellness and understanding through education, let's have a brief look at stuttering.
Stuttering, also known as Stammering, affects approximately 1% of the adult population. (Citation needed, but I think that statistic is a bit conservative.) Often, the worst problem with this very common disorder, the problem isn't communicating: it's the self-esteem issues. Please note: While the neurological causes aren't fully undertood, except in the case of drug use, which can lead to acquired stuttering, stuttering has nothing to do with intelligence.
Movie blondeshell, Marilyn Monroe, stuttered. (I made up that word, blondeshell, y'know.)
Joe Dougherty, the original voice of Porky Pig, had an authentic stutter that stayed with the character, even after Mel Blanc took over the role. Dougherty's stutter caused recording sessions to take longer than scheduled, and that's why he was replaced. The one thing a person who stutters needs is the listenener's patience. Good luck finding that in showbusiness, eh.
My humble little blog format doesn't go nearly as deep as the topic of speech disorders does. I hope you're inspired to learn more about them. Thank you for your patience and willingness to learn something along with me!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Notifiblog: Ch-ch-ch-Change!
Change means different things to different personalities. David Bowie develops a temporary stutter every time he sings that song. Change can be scary to some; it's the promise of (capital-A) Adventure to others. As an (chronological) adult, I fall into that latter category, and probably mostly out of necessity. As a kid, I gave any kind of change a big NO THANKS!
But, we all learn at some point:
When approached with a positive attitude, change can lead to betterment.
Change can be your chance to be a leader! Change can reveal courage in any of us.
If you are up on your SNL spoof commercials, you probably recall that First Citiwide Change Bank...makes real change! (Any on that "spoof commercials" MAY be NSFW, but there's enough SFW material to make it worth leaving it in.)
Let's make some CHANGE today!
But, we all learn at some point:
When approached with a positive attitude, change can lead to betterment.
Change can be your chance to be a leader! Change can reveal courage in any of us.
If you are up on your SNL spoof commercials, you probably recall that First Citiwide Change Bank...makes real change! (Any on that "spoof commercials" MAY be NSFW, but there's enough SFW material to make it worth leaving it in.)
Let's make some CHANGE today!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Notifiblog: National Pancake Day (IHOP)
Today is National Pancake Day if your nation happens to be the IHOP restaurant chain. You get a free stack of buttermilk pancakes if you got there before 10AM local time. (Probably didn't make it today, eh.)
But no matter.
Some time ago, I found a really cute blog, on which a father posted photos of pancake art he created for his young daughter. Looks like it was last updated in September 2011. Still cute!
But no matter.
Some time ago, I found a really cute blog, on which a father posted photos of pancake art he created for his young daughter. Looks like it was last updated in September 2011. Still cute!
Could you manage to take even a small bite of this ULTRA-SQUEE pancake????? Not with the model looking right up at you, methinks.
I'm learning: nearly anything one can think of CAN be crocheted. I don't think Mrs. Butterworth can improve the flavor of these woollen goodies, so we'll have to enjoy them with our eyes. I'm just thankful no one seems to have posted a photo of a crocheted Mrs. Butterworth. Yet.
Cheers!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Notifiblog: Goodbye, Canadian Penny!
Today is the official retirement day for the Canadian penny. The little one-cent piece has become too expensive to mint: 1.6 cents per unit!
This just learned: Originally, "penny" referred to a two-cent coin. When the two-cent coin was discontinued, penny took over as the new one-cent coin's name. Penny was likely readily adopted because the previous coinage in Canada (up to 1858) was the British monetary system, where Canada used British pounds, shillings, and pence as coinage alongside U.S. decimal coins and Spanish milled dollars.
Production of the penny ceased in May 2012, and the Royal Canadian Mint ceased distributing them as of February 4, 2013.
Now that the penny is leaving Canada, math is suddenly a necessity (tell your kids): for cash transactions, an item that was C$1.01 or C$1.02 will be rounded down to C$1.00; C$1.03 or C$1.04 becomes C$1.05.
Oh! I nearly forgot: English AND Canadian French are Canada's official languages. So...au revoir, cent!
This just learned: Originally, "penny" referred to a two-cent coin. When the two-cent coin was discontinued, penny took over as the new one-cent coin's name. Penny was likely readily adopted because the previous coinage in Canada (up to 1858) was the British monetary system, where Canada used British pounds, shillings, and pence as coinage alongside U.S. decimal coins and Spanish milled dollars.
Production of the penny ceased in May 2012, and the Royal Canadian Mint ceased distributing them as of February 4, 2013.
Now that the penny is leaving Canada, math is suddenly a necessity (tell your kids): for cash transactions, an item that was C$1.01 or C$1.02 will be rounded down to C$1.00; C$1.03 or C$1.04 becomes C$1.05.
Oh! I nearly forgot: English AND Canadian French are Canada's official languages. So...au revoir, cent!
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