• Popsci by Brian Clegg

    Popular science writer Brian Clegg's blog.

    • Names can kill

      Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 08:07 UTC

      This is a true story, which may be distressing to lagomorph lovers.

      A while ago we looked after Snuffles, a friend’s rabbit, while the friend was on holiday. Sadly, part way through the stay, Snuffles died.

      We were a touch traumatized and took the corpse to the vet to find out what had happened. The conversation went something like this:

      • Us: We want to know what killed the rabbit
      • Vet: Snuffles
      • Us: Yes
      • Vet:(Long pause)
      • Us: So Snuffles…
      • Vet: That’s right
      • Us: What did it die of?
      • Vet: Snuffles
      • Us: Yes, what killed the rabbit?
      • Vet: SNUFFLES!

      Yes, it appears the rabbit died of a disease called snuffles.

      And the moral of this tale? Don’t call your pet rat Bubonic Plague.

      Last updated: Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 08:07 UTC

      • Comments

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 08:43 UTC
          Henry Gee said:

          Oh cripes. Our rabbit is called Rebecca, which presupposes a boating accident in Cornwall; but her nom-de-blog is Beelzebun Demon Bunny of DOOM. I am even now sending Phipps to the sub-basement to check the integrity of the hinges on that mysterious trapdoor in the floor that noblody dares open. Thank goodness we didn’t call her Gunshot Wound or Road Traffic Accident or Trauma Occasioned By Blunt Instrument.

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 12:12 UTC
          Kristi Vogel said:

          In my neighborhood, it would be a bad idea to name a pet rabbit Hawk’s Landing, or Coyote Cafe.

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 12:36 UTC
          Bob O'Hara said:

          Ah. Clearly suicide.

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 16:10 UTC
          Heather Etchevers said:

          Who’s on first again?

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 17:48 UTC
          Cath Ennis said:

          Watt is a unit of power?

        • Date:
          Wednesday, 17 Sep 2008 - 18:23 UTC
          Bob O'Hara said:

          Ah, verily

        • Date:
          Thursday, 18 Sep 2008 - 07:33 UTC
          Brian Clegg said:

          I’m lost. And I didn’t know you could embed video either. Sigh.


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