"Alternate Version" - June 24, 2022

[Berto]

I always have to remember from school days that the ones coming from the Ceiling are stalaCtites while.the one coming from the Ground are stalaGmites. C for ceiling, g for ground.

Around 60 years ago, we visited the Oregon Caves, where a docent explained how to remember which is which:

A stalactite has to hold on tight or it might become a stalagmite.
A stalagmite would have been a stalactite if it had held on a might tighter.

Our guide in Carlsbad Caverns quite a few years ago used a similar, more succinct phrase:
Stalactites stick tight (ie, to the ceiling)
Stalagmites might (reach the ceiling some day)

Not sure where I heard this (an episode of Are You Being Served? Or maybe I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue…) but did anyone else learn “mites go up, tites come down”?

[SewYoung]

Around 60 years ago, we visited the Oregon Caves, where a docent explained how to remember which is which:

A stalactite has to hold on tight or it might become a stalagmite.
A stalagmite would have been a stalactite if it had held on a might tighter.

Our guide in Carlsbad Caverns quite a few years ago used a similar, more succinct phrase:
Stalactites stick tight (ie, to the ceiling)
Stalagmites might (reach the ceiling some day)

Not sure where I heard this (an episode of Are You Being Served? Or maybe I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue…) but did anyone else learn “mites go up, tites come down”?

I heard that stalactites look like tights hanging from the clothesline. I, too was misspelling it and that caused consternation until I was guided to the correct spelling on the Friday group solve zoom.

[MajordomoTom]

Ceiling >> C >> Stala_c_tites
Ground >> G >> Stala_g_mites

[JetStream]

I had the first half but whoa....that second part is still a stretch even after reading how it works. Congrats to the solvers.

[DrTom]

Around 60 years ago, we visited the Oregon Caves, where a docent explained how to remember which is which:

A stalactite has to hold on tight or it might become a stalagmite.
A stalagmite would have been a stalactite if it had held on a might tighter.

Our guide in Carlsbad Caverns quite a few years ago used a similar, more succinct phrase:
Stalactites stick tight (ie, to the ceiling)
Stalagmites might (reach the ceiling some day)

Not sure where I heard this (an episode of Are You Being Served? Or maybe I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue…) but did anyone else learn “mites go up, tites come down”?

Well I head it...but I am fairly sure the context was VERY different. In mine it had to do with lice.

[woozy]

Ceiling >> C >> Stala_c_tites
Ground >> G >> Stala_g_mites

Better than the mnemonic I heard: A Stalagmite might fall.

You know, I should start a collection of useless mnemonics... those that are just wrong, those that are for things that don't need mnemonics (Never Eat Soggy Waffles... um, what's wrong with .... North East South West?) Mnemonics that are ambiguous (Beer before liquor never been sicker... or is it Beer after liquor), or mnemonics that are harder to remember than what they represent (Camels often sit down mighty painfully. Perhaps their joints creak. Perhaps early oiling might prevent permanently hazardous aging. Well Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes. But I warn you, if you don't tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist— and I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my 'faithful slave', as you call yourself! But how are you? I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news..etc. etc. etc.)

[Dplass]

Ceiling >> C >> Stala_c_tites
Ground >> G >> Stala_g_mites

Better than the mnemonic I heard: A Stalagmite might fall.

You know, I should start a collection of useless mnemonics... those that are just wrong, those that are for things that don't need mnemonics (Never Eat Soggy Waffles... um, what's wrong with .... North East South West?) Mnemonics that are ambiguous (Beer before liquor never been sicker... or is it Beer after liquor), or mnemonics that are harder to remember than what they represent (Camels often sit down mighty painfully. Perhaps their joints creak. Perhaps early oiling might prevent permanently hazardous aging. Well Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes. But I warn you, if you don't tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend the infamies and horrors perpetrated by that Antichrist— and I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my 'faithful slave', as you call yourself! But how are you? I see I have frightened you—sit down and tell me all the news..etc. etc. etc.)

Don't forget "Starve a cold feed a fever" (not a mnemonic per se but a useless adage) and "Scared lovers try positions they cannot handle". (@DrTom may know and or correct those.)

[woozy]

Don't forget ...and "Scared lovers try positions they cannot handle". (@DrTom may know and or correct those.)

Timid virgins make dull company. Add whiskey.

and

Even red nuns drink from odd green cans.

(And "Big Chief Sahcahtoa".... just exactly *why* is "Sahcahtoa" supposed to be an easy to remember name to say and to spell "correctly"?... still it's exceedingly popular even though it never worked for me.)

[Al Sisti]

I always have to remember from school days that the ones coming from the Ceiling are stalaCtites while.the one coming from the Ground are stalaGmites. C for ceiling, g for ground.

Around 60 years ago, we visited the Oregon Caves, where a docent explained how to remember which is which:

A stalactite has to hold on tight or it might become a stalagmite.
A stalagmite would have been a stalactite if it had held on a might tighter.

I spent a few minutes this morning trying to chase down one of my favorite Far Side cartoons. We see a caveman holding his head, saying "Ow, dang! Thag hit head on... what you call those ones that hang down?" Couldn't find it, but I think I got the words pretty much right.

[Powers2020]

Quick, stress-free swim for once. On the beach this week (literally and figuratively!). Have a great Fourth everyone! Happy birthday, America!