Question of the day

[drewf]

Ah well, that's only *one* of the claimed uses, almost like getting conkers out off trees...

Don't forget, not all boomerangs are intended to come back - they are still boomerangs, 'cos they are significantly better than sticks. I think the returning boomerang came a lot later than the non-returning one.

Pretty sure the earliest one was found in Europe, but whilst I remember being surprised, I clearly wasn't surprised enough to be able to recall where it was found.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hmm, curious then. Struggling to see how a boomerang impacting just about anything is going to be able to come back unless it's very, very sharp and moving very fast.

So maybe something about scaring things by lobbing the boomerang (or stick) close enough to scare it to drop into a net or other trap?

C

 

[spkennyuk]

Hmm, curious then. Struggling to see how a boomerang impacting just about anything is going to be able to come back unless it's very, very sharp and moving very fast.

So maybe something about scaring things by lobbing the boomerang (or stick) close enough to scare it to drop into a net or other trap?

C

Close enough Mr C. They were used as a hearding device to scare game birds into nets hung between trees. The returning flight mimicking a hawk.

There are various throwing sticks that have been used to take out individual targets but these were not a returning stick or boomerang. Boomerangs are light weight and shaped in a way that they return. Throwing stick / clubs were heavier so they could disble the intended target without returning.

The oldest known example of a boomerang was found in a cave in the Polish carpathians. Dated at over 18000 years old. It was tested and still returned.

Over to you Mr C.

 

[CatmanV2]

Well there we are.

OK, what's unusual (hesitate to say unique, but I'm pretty sure it is) about a donkey and its feet?

C

 

[drewf]

Do donkeys have feet?

 

[CatmanV2]

Do donkeys have feet?

Hooves then. Pedal extremities, if you will.

The bits at the end of their legs should you prefer.

C

 

[drewf]

Steady on, Donkey....

I have absolutely no knowledge of donkey ground interface composition. I await the new piece of useless information with interest

 

[midlifecrisis]

Are Donkeys equine?

The hoof is their middle finger, the other fingers having 'retracted' up the skeleton due to evolution/the way God intended...

Dog's feet are similar being a collection of fused fingers...

 

[GeoffCapes]

Some proper useless information coming out now!

Love it!

 

[spkennyuk]

Its the only animal where the hoof is attached to the As* !

 

[daverichardson]

The hooves were sometimes called Hoteys in Spain

Hence the origin of Don Quixote

Alright I have gone............

 

[CatmanV2]

I am assured they are hooves as in all ungluates

And no, it's not that they are on the ***!

C

 

[daverichardson]

any more clues / answers, tips etc?

 

[highlander]

having kept horses and grumpy donkeys the only difference I remember is a donkey's hoof is round whereas a horses is oval ?

 

[Chrisbassett]

Is it something to do with gait or efficiency? Walking pattern (order in which the feet fall)?

Do they name them? They are all left-footed or have four left feet so they can't dance?

Maybe you need to whack us with a clue-stick, Chris.

 

[CatmanV2]

OK, it's to do with their eyes, and the positioning of them

C

 

[GeoffCapes]

Donkeys can never see their feet?

 

[CatmanV2]

Donkeys can never see their feet?

Not *quite*.....

C

 

[2b1ask1]

Logically then; donkeys can.....?

 

[drewf]

OK, it's to do with their eyes, and the positioning of them

C

So it's not a question about donkey feet?