A Conversation for Ask h2g2
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Started conversation Jul 27, 2004
There is a wasp in the room. It's 12.30 am (ie, practically the middle of the night). Shouldn't wasps go home when it gets dark? Aren't they supposed to buzz around litter bins and ice creams, not smoke-filled offices and humming computers?
Can anybody explain wasps?
Mol
Wasps
Xanatic Posted Jul 28, 2004
Well, there must be some insomniac wasps. And maybe it thinks the humming computer is a fellow wasp.
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Posted Jul 28, 2004
I solved its insomnia problem about five minutes after making the posting.
Mol
Wasps
Xanatic Posted Jul 28, 2004
You mean you sang it lullabies and rocked it to sleep in your arms?
Wasps
Geggs Posted Jul 28, 2004
Why do I feel the once-popular coda "with extreme prejudice" coming on?
Geggs
Wasps
IctoanAWEWawi Posted Jul 28, 2004
I just found out that wasp stands for Women Air Service Pilots as well.
The things you learn (although one of them buzzing round the room would be dangerous as well as annoying )
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Posted Jul 28, 2004
Funnily enough, it never occurred to me to sing it lullabies and rock it gently.
I am clearly guilty of waspism. Or anti-waspism. Or something equally uncaring.
Mol
Wasps
A Super Furry Animal Posted Jul 28, 2004
Probably insectism in general ("they all look the same to me").
Wasps can also be explained as white anglo-saxon protestants.
RF
Wasps
Baron Grim Posted Jul 28, 2004
Don't forget the 80's glam-metal band WASP... or as they were labeled by Tipper Gore and the PMRC: "We-Are-Sexual-Perverts!"
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Posted Jul 28, 2004
Thank you, friends. I meant the yellow and black striped insects with the fearsome reputation (easily tw*tted with a ruler though). Hang on - maybe there's an entry on them!
Mol
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Posted Jul 28, 2004
Hmm, there IS an edited entry, but it doesn't mention their insomniac tendencies or their contribution to the planet.
I suppose wasps keep humans fit by encouraging us to run around trying to cosh them over the head instead of sitting still sipping pina coladas.
But apart from that, I'm stumped.
Mol
Wasps
Xanatic Posted Jul 29, 2004
I remember trying to get my mom to explain wasps when I was little. What their purpose is and all. Never got a good answer.
Wasps
IctoanAWEWawi Posted Jul 29, 2004
They have none. They kill bees and other useful insects.
The only interesting(?) thing I know about wasps is that there maximum survivable body temperature is 0.1 degrees celsius less than that of the bee. the bees use exploit this when a wasp invades the hive by mobbing the wasp and clinging onto it, thereby smothering it and raising its body temperature. Since they can survive 0.1C higher temp, they kill the wasp before they temselves die.
One for the underdog and teamwork there!
I remember WASP the group 'Headless Childrne' was one of the tracks I remember. Probably still got the tape somewhere....
Wasps
Crescent Posted Jul 29, 2004
Some species of wasp kill aphids and other insects we would class as destructive. Until later....
BCNU - Crescent
Wasps
IctoanAWEWawi Posted Jul 29, 2004
Ah, maybe it was hornets Iw as thinking of.
I seem to recall, when I was at school, that wasps were called jaspers. I'm sure there is bound to be some deeply un-PC reason for this, but anyone know what it is? Indeed, did anyone else call them this?
Wasps
Mol - on the new tablet Posted Jul 29, 2004
Oh! Oh! Oh! DH calls them jaspers too! I'd never heard anybody call them this until he did, and I always thought he'd made it up.
There was another one up here at 1am this morning, but it found the window before I found the ruler.
Mol
Wasps
IctoanAWEWawi Posted Jul 29, 2004
So not just me then. I bet there;s something like it's a mispronunciation off the latin or french or italian or something word for wasp.
Wasps
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Posted Jul 29, 2004
I had to leave the park earlier than I intended yesterday (with my son & grandson) because I kept being dive-bombed by the d*mned things.
Wasps, not the kids.
I have to carry a pack of anti-histamines in case I get stung, because I'm allergic to their stings.
Venturing outdoors with bared legs/arms is a no-no for meand I can't leave windows open either, in case one gets in & catches me unawares.
Key: Complain about this post
Wasps
- 1: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 27, 2004)
- 2: Xanatic (Jul 28, 2004)
- 3: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 28, 2004)
- 4: Xanatic (Jul 28, 2004)
- 5: Geggs (Jul 28, 2004)
- 6: Orcus (Jul 28, 2004)
- 7: IctoanAWEWawi (Jul 28, 2004)
- 8: Ged42 (Jul 28, 2004)
- 9: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 28, 2004)
- 10: A Super Furry Animal (Jul 28, 2004)
- 11: Baron Grim (Jul 28, 2004)
- 12: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 28, 2004)
- 13: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 28, 2004)
- 14: Xanatic (Jul 29, 2004)
- 15: IctoanAWEWawi (Jul 29, 2004)
- 16: Crescent (Jul 29, 2004)
- 17: IctoanAWEWawi (Jul 29, 2004)
- 18: Mol - on the new tablet (Jul 29, 2004)
- 19: IctoanAWEWawi (Jul 29, 2004)
- 20: Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor (Jul 29, 2004)
More Conversations for Ask h2g2
- For those who have been shut out of h2g2 and managed to get back in again [28]
3 Weeks Ago - What can we blame 2legs for? [19024]
Nov 22, 2024 - Radio Paradise introduces a Rule 42 based channel [1]
Nov 21, 2024 - What did you learn today? (TIL) [274]
Nov 6, 2024 - What scams have you encountered lately? [10]
Sep 2, 2024
Write an Entry
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a wholly remarkable book. It has been compiled and recompiled many times and under many different editorships. It contains contributions from countless numbers of travellers and researchers."