Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2008 December 9

= December 9 =

usa elections 2008
please can you inform me about the percentage of youth ( less than 25 years old) that vote to President Obama —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.42.134.224 (talk) 00:32, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Since the US ballot is secret, that information is impossible to know.  Little Red Riding Hood  talk  01:14, 9 December 2008 (UTC)


 * (Rolls eyes) Ever hear of an exit poll? --98.217.8.46 (talk) 01:34, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Exit polls give an *estimate* of how many people *claimed* to have voted for a particular person. That's pretty close to what the OP asked for, but it's not the same. --Tango (talk) 01:38, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * According to CNN's reportage of exit polling, 68% of voters under 25 voted for Obama, in comparison with only 30% for McCain. (I found this by just Googling for "obama exit poll age", for future reference in your investigations.) --98.217.8.46 (talk) 01:35, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

What is Christmas in France like?
traditions, religious events, gift-giving, etc?

AlexBriggs12 (talk) 01:33, 9 December 2008 (UTC)


 * You might start by taking a look at Wikipedia's brief description of Christmas in France. If you can read French, you might take a look at the French article on Christmas.  If you can't, it seems some of the key elements of the French Christmas are the Midnight Mass celebrating the birth of Jesus, the construction of nativity scenes, the myth of Santa Claus (known in French as Père Noël, or Father Christmas), setting up of Christmas trees, giving of gifts, and a festive meal consisting of turkey and a bûche de Noël. Marco polo (talk) 01:53, 9 December 2008 (UTC)


 * There are a few subtle differences - but no greater than you see from one English-speaking family to another within (say) the USA. My wife is French and we have a mixed anglo-french celebration.  As already mentioned, one must have a bûche (it's a rolled up sponge-cake with a thick buttery chocolate frosting - dressed up to look kinda like a log).  Gotta have a Galette des Rois also.   But we also have a christmas pudding from the UK tradition (complete with sixpences, carefully hoarded since pre-decimalized currency in the UK).  I'd say we pretty much do what most other people do.  But all in all - I see much bigger differences between the way Xmas is celebrated between the USA and the UK than between either of them and France. SteveBaker (talk) 02:52, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

I live deep in the Midi (on the south coast of France) and down here Christmas used to be celebrated with a huge log (the Yule Log) that burned from Christmas Eve. Today the celebration is confined to Christmas Eve. Traditionally families gather and eat their way through the evening. No turkey, instead fillet steak, after foie gras. Many go to the Midnight Mass and then return home for dessert and presents. The party continues until people fall asleep - kids and all. No Boxing Day - just back to work (a bit blurry) on the 26th. Crackers are unknown, though sparklers and party poppers are here. Wife & I are honoured this year by an invite to a family on Christmas Eve. A rare event.90.9.81.70 (talk) 15:41, 9 December 2008 (UTC)DT


 * Yeah - I've done that too. But it's not that different.  Most Brits do the whole celebration on the 25th - but quite a few Americans open presents on Xmas eve.  Some Brits don't do present opening until after Xmas lunch - others suffer the kids waking up at 5am to do it!  Also, I've not yet met an American who celebrates "boxing day" - that seems to be a uniquely British thing (although perhaps the Australians have retained that excuse to carry on partying).  Americans eat turkey for Thanksgiving - and much, much less often for Xmas...Brits pretty much universally go for Turkey on the 25th.  Hence my comment that the difference between French customs and British are no greater than between some Americans and some Brits.   I'll say this though - in my experience - NOBODY parties like the French!  SteveBaker (talk) 02:57, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
 * To Steve: Boxing Day is celebrated in most Commonwealth countries. And, despite what the article says, not all of us attend shop sales.  In NZ, for example, it's common to have family picnics at the beach.  Gwinva (talk) 03:09, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
 * In Canada, Boxing Day is just another day off work. Lots of people go shopping, but now that the sales continue during "Boxing Week", shopping on the 26th isn't necessary. Adam Bishop (talk) 13:47, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
 * For us, Anglo/French/adopted-Texans, Boxing Day is an important part of the celebrations - it's when we do "open house" - meaning come by anytime after about 10am and we'll stuff you full of booze and food and entertain the heck out of you until you stagger from the house - or we toss you out at about 10pm. It is a requirement of this policy that we invite EVERYONE - so if any of the RefDesk regulars is in Austin, Texas on the 26th and needs some help staying merry one more day...ping me a private email and I'll send you directions! SteveBaker (talk) 21:07, 10 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Damn, I wish I could make it. I have relatives in Round Rock... --Jayron32. talk . contribs  03:01, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

@ Gwinva: It must be nice to be able to go to the beach on Xmas/Boxing DAy. Sighh, being a Canadian, if I went to a beach, I'd freeze to death.  Genius  101 Guestbook  21:27, 11 December 2008 (UTC)


 * I was never closer to dying of hypothermia than the time I went swimming at a beach near Devonport, Tasmania, in the middle of a heat wave in December. The waters of Bass Strait were like ice.  Then I baked to death on the beach.  I couldn't win either way, so I left in search of more clement climes. Mind you, not all Kiwis or Aussies go to the beach, particularly those who happen to live inland, and also those who live above the Tropic of Capricorn where beach swimming is often inadvisable, all year round.  But we're there in spirit.  --  JackofOz (talk) 03:24, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
 * It was cold, but you were able to tolerate it, apparently because you're not Canadian. I hadn't realized they had this problem with beaches; no one ever mentioned it when I lived in Toronto, but come to think of it I don't recall anyone suggesting beach trips.
 * I also don't remember the top halves of their heads floating up into the air when they talked. That must be an effect you can only capture in video. --Trovatore (talk) 03:46, 12 December 2008 (UTC)
 * So you weren't hanging out with these folks? If you look very, very closely, you can just see the gaps in their bisected heads. --Fullobeans (talk) 03:56, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

why are pineapples called pineapples?
I just want to know why are pineapples called pineapples. I would be happy for you th email the answet for it to. thanks —Preceding unsigned comment added by Js47588 (talk • contribs) 05:57, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Please read the instructions before posting here. Never put your email and always search Wikipedia first. If you'd bothered to do that you'd see the answer is in the first major section of our Pineapple article - see Pineapple. Exxolon (talk) 06:12, 9 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Simply means pine cones that are actually fruit (apples) which is what they look like. Pine cones are seeds for evergreen trees and are like a collection of pieces of bark but they have similar diamond shaped edges to pineapples. ~ R . T . G  08:40, 15 December 2008 (UTC)

Exactly where are (were) the Bluezes and Chimney Sweep (Bronx, New York)?
Some years ago, in a Congressional Directory from (I believe) 1947, in the library of a previous workplace, there is a locational reference to "the Bluezes and Chimney Sweep" as being contained within a particular Bronx, New York congressional district. Several islands were also listed in that district, including Rat Island.

This recently came to mind, so I decided to try Google, and found three references in Google Books, all in similar geographical descriptions of legislative districts. These references were even older, going back to 1914, making the circa 1947 reference the most recent known to me.

So I am guessing that these terms are obsolete and have been in disuse for at least several decades. I'm also guessing that these terms may refer to channels of water, and not to land.

Any ideas? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Boomerpdx (talk • contribs) 07:03, 9 December 2008 (UTC)


 * This has:
 * The Chimney Sweeps Islands, New York is a pair of tiny islands in the northern part of City Island Harbor. They and High Island divide City Island Harbor from Pelham Bay. They are made of bedrock entirely. The two islands are inhabited by Gulls, Skuas and Great Blue Herons.
 * The Blauzes are two tiny islands in City Island Harbor, off the northern tip of Hart Island. They are made totally of bedrock with a slightly blueish tint and are oddly semi-hemispherical in shape. They are jokingly referred to by local residents as the Blue Breasts because their very odd shape resembles that of a voluptuous woman's busom. They are inhabited by two Great Blue Herons in the day, where they sleep if there are no humans. Fishers use them by day. The islands were privately owned in the 20th Century, but may now belong to the NYC Parks Department..  --Cookatoo.ergo.ZooM (talk) 14:14, 9 December 2008 (UTC)

Ichthyophobia
This request for medical advice has been removed. Difficulties within your mind are just as problematic for us to help you with (maybe even more so) as physical ailments. If you're worried about your phobia, you will need to see a licensed practitioner in your area, such as a psychologist. If you're not sure how to get in contact with one, your family doctor should be able to help. Matt Deres (talk) 23:23, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Cooking with white wine
I've got about half a bottle of a decent Chablis that I don't want to drink. What can I cook with it? Thanks 86.7.238.145 (talk) 23:42, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Put it into salmon tagliatelli pasta, lol.-Proactive primrose (talk) 23:45, 9 December 2008 (UTC)
 * Googling "white wine sauce" brought up quite a few results. I've had some good garlicky wine-based sauces on linguini in the past, and I often throw some white wine in pasta salads, dressings and the like. I could be imagining things, but I find that wine cuts the sharpness of vinegar without canceling the flavor. I can't think of any one recipe that would use the whole half bottle, though, so you might be better off just mailing it to me. I'll drink it. --Fullobeans (talk) 00:06, 10 December 2008 (UTC)


 * If it's decent and you don't want to drink it, why would you want to eat it? Julia Rossi (talk) 10:56, 10 December 2008 (UTC)


 * If it is a half bottle of Chablis, you would be better off giving it to a friend/relative who appreceiates good wine, and getting something cheaper to waste in your food :-) Astronaut (talk) 12:19, 10 December 2008 (UTC)


 * If it's an uncorked half-bottle - keep it for a special occasion, if it's kept in the dark and not allowed to get too hot - it'll still be good 10 to 15 years from now - and in all likelyhood, it'll be even better when you finally do have a reason to open it. If it's half empty bottle - then by the time you do anything with it, it won't be a good Chablis anymore (once it's opened, it goes downhill fast) - so stick some into the next sauce you make (it hardly matters what the sauce is!) and throw the rest away. SteveBaker (talk) 21:01, 10 December 2008 (UTC)


 * Make Vinegar and use it in recipes that call for white wine vinegar. You can add interesting herbs and spices to create your own unique blend. or Add the wine to gelatin and sugar prepared with less liquid that making jello and drop the mix on plastic wrap to cool off. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.97.245.5 (talk) 16:55, 11 December 2008 (UTC)