cat

The correct answer is “Neko” (Cat). The cat who is the protagonist of Natsume Sōseki’s I Am a Cat is not given an official name, and in the novel it says, “I am a cat. I have no name yet.” However, the pet cat was called “Neko” by Sōseki himself and his family.

The difference between butter and margarine

In France, it is recommended by law that croissants made only with butter be diamond-shaped, while those made with fats other than butter, such as margarine, be crescent-shaped. In other words, the crescent shape traditionally uses fats other than butter, and the diamond shape is generally made with 100% butter. The difference in shape is not just about appearance; it originated as a way to make it easier to distinguish the ingredients used.

doctor

The “Monster Teahouse” that appeared in Omori, Tokyo, in 1830 is said to have been founded by a physician named Hyōsen. He excelled not only in medicine but also in devising entertainment and eccentric projects. At the time, haunted houses were not yet a common form of amusement, but Dr. Hyōsen created one through various ingenious ideas to surprise and delight people. This concept became the root of today’s haunted houses, and he is remembered in history as someone who combined medical knowledge with a playful spirit.

boiled egg

Terms like “rare” and “well-done” are now used mainly for the doneness of meats such as steak, but they originally came from French and were used to describe how boiled eggs (egg dishes) were cooked. “Rare” referred to soft-boiled, while “well-done” meant hard-boiled. Over time, the usage spread to meat dishes, and today these terms are chiefly associated with doneness in cooking meat, though many people may be surprised to learn their origins.

Because I'm eating the concrete block wall.

A snail’s shell is made mainly of calcium, and they need a lot of it for growth and protection. Concrete and stone block walls often contain calcium on their surfaces, which snails consume and absorb to reinforce and repair their shells. That’s why they often gather on block walls. Although predator avoidance and food availability also play roles, calcium intake is considered the main reason.

triple

Camels have triple-layered eyelids. In addition to the usual upper and lower eyelids, they possess a third eyelid (the nictitating membrane) that moves horizontally. This membrane is semi-transparent and protects the eyes while maintaining vision even during sandstorms. As a result, camels can live in harsh environments like deserts without injuring their eyes. This triple eyelid is a unique feature of camels that is not seen in many other animals.

Olympic rings

It is said that the reason carp streamers became colorful was that a carp-streamer craftsman was inspired after seeing the Olympic rings on television during the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympic emblem features five rings—blue, yellow, black, green, and red—and, taking a cue from their vivid colors, he began using a variety of colors for carp streamers. Because of this background, modern carp streamers are known for their colorful designs. Before that, black was the standard color, but under the influence of the Olympic emblem, they evolved over time into more vibrant designs.