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MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Does “Goodbye” Really Mean?

Most of our greetings & farewells are pretty straightforward, especially ones that begin with good (like “good morning”, “good afternoon”, “good night”, etc.). But what about “goodbye”? Are you basically saying, “I hope you have a good bye”? What is a “bye”? Is it some old word once used to reference a certain time of day? No, none of that is the case. Because the “bye” actually began as an abbreviation, while the “good” wasn’t originally good at all.

Back in the 1300s, people would say “God be with you” when leaving the company of one another. As time passed, that phrase got shortened because of linguistic shifts (and, honestly, human laziness). By 1575, the Oxford English Dictionary listed the word “godbwye” for the first time, taken from a letter by English scholar Gabriel Harvey. In today’s parlance, Harvey’s poetic letter loosely translates to have read: “To reciprocate your gallon of goodbyes, I give you back a half-gallon of howdies.” (By the way, “howdy” was derived from the phrase “how do you do”.)

But the evolution of “God be with you” to “godbwye” to “goodbye” had it hiccups. Folks pretty much spelled the term however they felt like over many years. It was chaotic, for sure. Heck, even Shakespeare wrote it no less than 3 different ways across 3 different plays.

As for how “God” became “good”, most scholars believe people were influenced by all those other good phrases mentioned earlier, since “good day” & “goodnight” had already been in use since the 1200s. “God be with you” is still a pretty common phrase heard & said in religious settings today. But the term “goodbye”, which first started showing up in the early 18th century, eventually replaced “God be with you” as the secular way of saying farewell. So now, whenever you say “goodbye” to your workplace, you’ll at least know what you’re really saying as you say “good riddance” to your boss (at least until tomorrow.)

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Is There Cotton In Pill Bottles?

Ever wonder why there’s a giant wad of cotton shoved into your bottle of aspirin or acetaminophen or ibuprofen? There actually is a reason it’s there, though that reason should gradually be fading away.

It was in the early 1900s when the Bayer aspirin folks became the first to stuff cotton into their product bottles as a way to fill the empty space in the bottle to keep the pills from jostling around inside & ultimately crushing themselves.

By the 1980s, though, Bayer had begun selling coated tablets, which meant that it didn’t matter anymore if the pills bounced around in the bottle because the coating prevented them from disintegrating. So why do we still find cotton balls in bottles of over-the-counter pain relievers now, 40 years later? Because, after decades of having to fetch the fluff filling from inside our pill bottles, consumers were conditioned to expect it. Some folks even believed the cotton balls were an effective way to determine whether the package had been tampered with; others believed it preserved the “potency” of pills. So, to maintain their customers’ beliefs & trust, Bayer continued putting cotton in their bottles. And because Bayer did it for so long, a lot of other brands still do the same thing to this day.

For the record, though, the National Institutes of Health actually advises removing the cotton, as it actually pulls moisture into the bottle. Plus, not only is the “cotton” totally unnecessary…it’s likely not even cotton now. Most cotton clumps found in pill bottles these days are actually made of rayon or polyester.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

The ACM Awards Are On Tonight: Here Are The Nominees

The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton, Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen, stream live from Las Vegas tonight (Monday) at 8 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video. 

Performers: 

  • Jimmie Allen – “Down Home” and “Viva Las Vegas”
  • Gabby Barrett – “I Hope You Dance” and “Let’s Go to Vegas”
  • Kelly Clarkson in tribute to Dolly Parton – “I Will Always Love You”
  • Dolly Parton with Kelsea Ballerini
  • Lady A
  • Jason Aldean
  • Breland featuring Thomas Rhett – “Praise the Lord”
  • Kane Brown – “Leave You Alone”
  • Luke Bryan – “Up”
  • Eric Church
  • Jordan Davis with Luke Bryan – “Buy Dirt”
  • Walker Hayes – “AA” and “Fancy Like”
  • Maren Morris – “Circles Around This Town”
  • Brothers Osborne – “Skeletons” 
  • Brittney Spencer – “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'”
  • Parmalee, Blanco Brown, Brook Eden – “Just the Way”
  • Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde – “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”
  • Thomas Rhett – “Slow Down Summer”
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Chris Young and Mitchell Tenpenny – “At the End of a Bar”

Presenters:

  • Alan Ritchson (Reacher),
  • Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr 
  • Comic Guy Torry (Phat Tuesdays)
  • Author James Patterson
  • Jason Aldean
  • Actors Kelsey Asbille and Luke Grimes (Yellowstone)
  • Mickey Guyton 

Nominees

Entertainer of the Year 

  • Luke Combs
  • Eric Church
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Carrie Underwood

Male Artist of the Year

  • Jimmie Allen
  • Luke Combs
  • Thomas Rhett
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Morgan Wallen

Female Artist of the Year

  • Gabby Barrett
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Ashley McBryde
  • Maren Morris 
  • Carly Pearce

New Male Artist of the Year

  • Hardy
  • Walker Hayes
  • Ryan Hurd
  • Parker McCullum – winner
  • Elvie Shane

New Female Artist of the Year

  • Tenille Arts
  • Priscilla Block
  • Lily Rose
  • Caitlyn Smith
  • Lainey Wilson – winner

Duo of the Year

  • Brooks and Dunn
  • Brothers Osborne
  • Dan and Shay
  • Locash
  • Maddie and Tae

Group of the Year

  • Lady A
  • Little Big Town
  • Midland
  • Old Dominion
  • Cadillac Three

Album of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

  • 29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce
  • Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett
  • Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen
  • Famous Friends – Chris Young
  • The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

Single of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

  • “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 
  • “Famous Friends” – Chris Young and Kane Brown 
  • “Fancy Like” – Walker Hayes
  • “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
  •  “You Should Probably Leave” – Chris Stapleton

Song of the Year [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)] 

  • “7 Summers” – Morgan Wallen
  • “Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan
  • “Fancy Like” – Walker Hayes
  •  “Knowing You” – Kenny Chesney
  •  “Things a Man Oughta Know”– Lainey Wilson

Video of the Year [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]                                       

  • “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” – Elle King and Miranda Lambert 
  • “Famous Friends” – Chris Young and Kane Brown
  • “I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version)” – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton
  • “If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood 
  • “Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

Music Event of the Year [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

  • “Buy Dirt”– Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 
  • “Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown
  • “half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney 
  • “If I Didn’t Love You” – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood
  • “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”– Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Are Most Jeans Blue?

When Keith Urban sang “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, he clearly wasn’t talking about jeans. Other fashion styles may come & go, but nothing in the garment industry has remained as consistently popular as blue jeans, with their standard features of metal rivets, tiny pockets, and, of course, the blue denim (hence, the name “blue jeans”). But why are most denim jeans blue? I mean, blue does seem an odd choice for pants that so many folks wear every single day. But blue actually became the jean standard for good reason.

Blue was the default denim hue even before Levi Strauss patented his riveted workers’ trousers in 1873. Here’s some style science: when exposed to hot water, most dyes seep deep into fabrics & set in the fibers. But not indigo. Indigo dye sticks only to the outside of fibers. Then, when placed in hot water, the dye progressively fades rather than permeating deeper into the material. Then, as the indigo washes away over time, it also takes minute amounts of thread along with it.

That would be bad if we were talking about more delicate fabrics, but not denime. It’s actually perfect, since denim starts out so stiff that losing some fibers doesn’t damage it. Instead, a couple of hot washes actually give the fabric a worn-in quality for the softer feel that many folks appreciate most in their favorite jeans. Aging blue jeans get more comfortable as you wear them, while also still staying strong. And for that reason, they were the favorite pants of many workers in the 1800s.

Nowadays, most jeans are created with synthetic indigo dye, but they’re still made to get softer the longer you wear them. For stiff denim, a good wash can help break them in. But, for a brand-new pair, maybe wait to throw them in the washer. Because wearing jeans for a few months before giving them their first wash will actually make them fade less evenly than jeans cleaned right away. That way, your favorite jeans’ fade pattern will be unique to you. And nothing says “comfortably distinct” & “distinctly comfortable” like a great pair of blue jeans.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

Shop Local Frederick – Sunday, 3/6 1-4pm

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Please join Sunday, March 6th from 1-4pm at Frederick Window Tinting (4509 Metropolitan Ct, Suite C in Frederick) for an afternoon of FUN, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, GIVEAWAYS AND PRIZES!!

Fun Includes:

Live Broadcast with Dianah from 1-4pm with WFRE giveaways!

Frederick DJs hosting kids games with prizes!

Grilled Cheese Please and Diego’s World food trucks!

DaddyBoy Bake Shop, M.R.CHEESECAKES, Chary’s Bakery and It’s All Good Baking & Catering for baked Items and sweet treats!

McClintock Distilling and Dragon Distillery, LLC will be on site with tastings and bottles to purchase.

Please also join us to see the following vendors:

The Chic Crab Boutique, Ocean Dream Boutique VIP, Frederick Fit Body Boot Camp, Charcuterie by Randi, LLC, T and L Company, Apothecary Mermaid, Wild Bond Creations, Tuna Belly Bows and Bricks, Hanson’s Creekside Creations, Annie + Mae, Nana B’s, Scentsy by Rachel Welsh, Kim Beyer Photography / Belle Vie Boudoir – VIP Group, Growing Up Cherry and Starvin Marvin’s Pizzeria & Grille with their locally famous Mambo sauce!!

Special Thanks to our partnering event sponsors at May’s Heating & Air Conditioning !

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Is Mardi Gras?

The lead-up to Lent goes by many names, but the most popular is probably “Mardi Gras”, with its festive celebrations made famous in New Orleans, LA, & Mobile, AL. They’re known for their food, parades, and general rabble-rousing. But what exactly is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday”, celebrates the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which is a time in Christianity for fasting & sacrifice. Mardi Gras is looked at as the final opportunity to indulge in earthly pleasures (like fatty food, which is where the “Fat Tuesday” moniker actually comes from). It’s also known by other names, like “Shrove Tuesday”, which comes from the word shrive (“to confess one’s sins”) & “Fastnacht Day”, from the German word for donut. Elsewhere around the world, Mardi Gras is called “carnival”.

Where I’m from, near New Orleans, Mardi Gras season lasts for more than one day, officially beginning on January 6th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany, or the end of the Christmas season. You won’t find too many people tossing beads in the streets in late January, though; Mardi Gras celebrations tend to start about 2 weeks before Lent, with most of the big shindigs taking place in the weekend leading up Ash Wednesday & on Fat Tuesday.

My favorite part of Mardi Gras, however, is king cake, the delectable confection baked with a baby figurine inside. The tradition goes that whoever finds the baby is believed to be blessed with luck & prosperity, and they’re made “king” for the day. (Their good luck & prosperity also means they’re supposed to provide the next king cake.) So it’s totally okay to be one of the unlucky ones who doesn’t get the baby. Because the real good luck is in the fact that you’re getting to eat one of the most delicious pastries known to man.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Does February Have Only 28 Days?

“30 days hath September…April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, except for February, which has 28…and, counting leap year, has 29. Why DOES February have only 28 days?

The reason why February has 28 days is because, to the Romans, February was an afterthought. In the 8th century BC, the 10-month Calendar of Romulus was in use. Each year kicked off in March & ended in December, with January & February not even existing at that time. But that “year” was only 304 days long. Winter, in those days, was a nameless, month-less period that was, for all intents & purposes, useless & not worth caring about or even counting. So, for 61 days out of the year, if you had asked “What month is it?”, the correct answer would’ve been, “None!”

So, in 713 BC, thinking it was ridiculous to even have a calendar if you’re going to neglect 1/6 of the year, King Numa Pompilius lined the calendar up with the 12 lunar cycles in the year, which spanned around 355 days, and introduced January & February at the end of the calendar. But since the Romans were superstitious & believed even numbers brought bad luck, King Numa attempted to make each month’s total days an odd number. But to reach the needed tally of 355, one month had to be even…and, being the last month on the calendar, February drew the short straw.

But issues with that 355-day calendar soon arose when, after a few years, the seasons & months had fallen out of sync. So, the Romans began occasionally inserting a 27-day leap month called “Mercedonius”. They would lop off the last couple days of February & start the leap month of Mercedonius on what was actually February 24.

But that caused problems, as well. Mercedonius’s implementation was haphazard & inconsistent, mainly because Rome’s high priests (who were also politicians) were the ones determining when it would arrive & would insert it to either the advantage of their allies or the disadvantage of their enemies. With so much politicking involved, by the time Julius Caesar arrived on the scene, nobody in Rome really had any clue what day it really was.

So, Julius Caesar reformed the calendar yet again, cutting out the leap month altogether. To get Romans back on track, 46 BCE was a 445-days-long year! Caesar then aligned the calendar with the sun & added a few days so that everything would add up to a total of 365. February got repositioned to near the top of the calendar, but it kept its 28 days.

Got a Mundane Mystery you’d like solved? Send me a message via Twitter (@AndyWebbRadio), or shoot me an email at [email protected].

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