Ask Rachel

Interesting fact: I looked up the etymology of “dickweed” thinking perhaps it was an Old World herb or something. Nope. It’s just a beautiful word that, like cocaine, is a gift to us from the 1980s.

Interesting fact: In fairness, this Andy Thomas painter guy has also done a Democratic president canvas, and neither one was commissioned by an actual president. But it’s still tacky. And if you’re going to omit presidents like Chester A. Arthur, you could omit Nixon. And Trump. Why not.

Interesting fact: You can register to vote online at www.GoVoteColorado.com through Oct. 29 and in person right up until Election Day on Nov. 6. Do it.

Interesting fact: Sitting on an exercise ball sure can activate your abs, but studies show that you are actually too lazy to keep your abs activated.

Interesting fact: I have no problem with the Amish, but the faceless dolls associated with them are the stuff of horror films. They’re believed to deter against pride and vanity. Yup, horror films.

Interesting fact: I tried to find proof that horse manure on the trail is in fact a health hazard to humans. But it appears that, aside from the frustration of stepping in it, you’re only like 15 percent likely to get diarrhea.

Interesting fact: Oreo has announced that it’s now selling hot chicken wing-flavored cookies in China. Still chocolate on the outside, just... buffalo on the inside. If they are never imported here, that’ll be the only win to come of the Trump presidency.

Interesting fact: The average indoor carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat (non-fraternity division), with about 200,000 bacteria per square inch.

Interesting fact: If you don’t already know about the Led Zeppelin mud shark incident, whatever you do, do not look it up.

Interesting fact: Yiddish words in American English that I did not realize were Yiddish include: glitch, klutz, nosh, schmooze, spritz and tush. I see now how blatantly Yiddish they all are.

Interesting fact: Studies show that workers get tipped based on their age, gender, race, hair color, and (no duh) breast size more so than the quality of their service. So next time your cheap-ass dad complains about the service, you’re free to call him out on his eu- phemism for the waitress’ erm, “attributes.”

Interesting fact: A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than 500 poinsettia leaves for them to suffer any harmful effect. But eating the leaves can still cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets. I feel like I’m getting mixed signals here.

Interesting fact: Leasing a car is a much more feasible option than purchasing for those Durango residents who want to lower their monthly rent while also sleeping on new leather seats.

Interesting fact: Despite weighing 1,800 pounds, moose can run 35 miles per hour, can swim miles at a stretch, and will submerge themselves completely for 30 seconds or more. I’m officially waiting for a moose horror film.

Interesting fact: It doesn’t appear that “imperial-colonialism” is a common or recognized phrase, but compound nouns go as far back as Sanskrit, and I admittedly didn’t research back that far.

Interesting fact: In 1977, it became illegal in Quebec for businesses to advertise using English names. So rather than adopt separate branding, Tim Horton’s dropped its apostrophe worldwide and became Tim Hortons.

Interesting fact: U.S. pint glasses are 16 ounces to the brim. Factor in a half-inch of foamy head in a proper pour, and your actual liquid content is closer to 14 ounces.