Melt in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands

Cecil Adams, whose “The Straight Dope” column has appeared in alternative newspapers since 1973, answered the following questions.

“Why in a bag of M & Ms are there always lots of dark browns and yellows, but only a few light browns and greens? And what does M & M stand for, anyway?

“M & M stands for the two confectionary geniuses, Mars and Murrie, who founded the firm back in 1928 in Minneapolis, Minn.,” Adams wrote. “M & M is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars Candy Corp. M & Ms are colored strictly for eye appeal. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no difference whatever in flavor between the colors. M & Ms market research has revealed that one particular blend--60% dark brown, 30% yellow and 10% ‘other’--is irresistible to the candy-consuming public.”

The most absurd names of rock ‘n’ roll bands of the psychedelic era in the late 1960s include: Africa Creeps Up and Up, Autosalvage, Ball Point Banana, Bubble Puppy, Clear Light, The Charging Tyrannosaurus of Despair, Chocolate Watchband, Truman Coyote, The Crab Cometh Forth, Dr. Zoom and His Sonic Boom, The Electric Prunes, Everpresent Fullness, Everything Is Everything, Frosted Suede and The Grateful Dead.

Other bands include: The Holy Modal Rounders, It’s a Beautiful Day, The Jefferson Airplane, Lothar and the Hand People, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Only Alternative and His Other Possibilities, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, Ph Factor Jug Band, Purple Earthquake, The Strawberry Alarm Clock, 13th Floor Elevator, The Time Being, Tiny Hearing Aid Company, Transatlantic Chicken Wicken No. 5, Ultimate Spinach and Uncut Balloon.

“We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.”

--Will Rogers, comedian (1879-1935)