A. Have you heard of Samson?

B. What, the mobile phone company?

If you cross your fingers and touch a small object (such as the tip of your nose), there will seem to be two of whatever it is. Not being able to see the object strengthens the illusion, and because you can’t see the end of your nose very well it is a suitable tactile target. Besides, using your nose is amusing.

This illusion has been known for at least two thousand years. Aristotle wrote (Metaphysics Book 4):

“… touch says there are two objects when we cross our fingers, while sight says there is one”

It’s an example of a tactile illusion.

Lots of optical (alias visual) illusions are known. They startle and intrigue: some seem almost incredible. Some have been discovered or invented in the last decade, others go back centuries. They all cast light on visual perception, and are all, even the most well known, still the subject of research and often controversy as well.

Tactile illusions are less well known and most people are only aware of the crossed fingers one. But many have been discovered and written about, and new ones emerge quite regularly. There is an excellent survey here.

One I particularly like is the ‘salad bowl after effect’. Take a smoothly concave bowl (like a salad bowl) and press three fingers – there is no need for it to be hard –  against the inside curve of the bowl for a few seconds – perhaps 10 – and then touch them on a flat surface. If you are like me it will feel convex, as though a bump has risen up! This strange (and to my mind eerie) feeling only last a short time but for me at least its is quite strong. I’ve even found I can make it work with the inside of my glasses case.

Why did the chicken cross the ice rink? To get to the other glide! ⛸️

I heard

Someone say

Autumn

So

I

Felt  

Cold  

Our small cruise ship company is literally a joke. It’s a one liner.

I’m addicted to suitcases. But I’m determined to pack them up.

Seen in the Scilly Islands.

On a radio program in 1948 the philospher Bertrand Russell gave several humerous examples of "emotive conjugation", such as

I am firm, you are obstinate, he is a pig-headed fool.

I have reconsidered the matter, you have changed your mind, he has gone back on his word.

You get the idea: it's like comjugating a verb but the speaker casts themself in a favourable light, you in a slightly less favourable one, and the others in an unfavourable light.

I offer you one for the current "situation" (as the PM describes ).

I am filling up earlier than usual, you have changed your pattern of demand, they are panic buying.

I can probably reprise this, after half a decade.

Barcarolle       Gamble on winning streak

Minuet             Last night's romantic dinner

Romance        Insect scouts

Nocturne         Criticise stage act       

Overture          Your turn now

Rondo              Relative of John Doe, Jane Doe, etc.

Andante           Another relative

Unison             The one at uni

Suite                Grain identification

Operetta          Grain dryer tragedy    

Symphony       Appear odd

A. How do lumberjacks get online?

A. With their logging credentials!

I love archeology, I really dig it.