So how does a toilet work?
I had not really thought too much about it, to be honest. I am just happy that toilets do work. But then I started looking at 'how to' sites on the Internet and discovered that someone wanted to know the mechanics behind the porcelain bowl, the flushing handle and the rush of water.
The Internet has a growing number of sites that offer advice and tidbits of information and trivia on almost any topic. They are basically search engines designed to find answers to questions by recognising phrases and keywords such as 'How do I pick up hotties on the beach'. (No, I did not make that up, someone really wants to know.)
Ask Jeeves lets you see questions as they are asked, with a new batch appearing every 30 seconds.
In response to the inquiry about toilets, a full page of information came up, including the little-known fact that Romans introduced the first flush toilets 4,000 years ago. You can also find a collection of toilet euphemisms that lead to phrases such as 'I am going to the thunderbox to strain the potatoes' or 'I will be right there, honey, I just have to point Percy at the porcelain'.