Niko Bell

Freelance journalist, writing about food, China, science and sexual health. Enthusiastic about languages, fermented foods, and weird etymology facts.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@benryanwriter I think you got one of your screenshots switched here, Benjamin

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@wesyang Many have pointed out that she would traditionally have been played by a boy, but also, Juliette is explicitly 13 years old.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

In conclusion:

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

OK, I've so far avoided weighing in on the Chinese names of non-Chinese candidates in this election, but this is bait too tempting for me to resist. Van East incumbent Jenny Kwan says her opponent is misstating the meaning of his Chinese name, 地产男神. Is he?

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

Baidu Baike, a kind of Chinese Wikipedia, describes the word as "a term for an unattainable man, usually the object of a woman's admiration." See picture for illustration. Is this better translated as "hunk" or "god"? I'll let you decide.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@BurrowingDan @owenbroadcast With a K though, which is suspicious?

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@apotrafied A problem with not understanding that you want to playact aristocracy is that you miss the full diversity of aristocratic experiences.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@apotrafied A better outlet for rigidity, a harsh power structure, and tanks.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@Billydub420 @kat_toth The OED has "normalcy" going back to 1857!

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@bunnysnack Mazel tov

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@Robin_Quon @ron_halliday @maxfawcett If we were going by GDP, it would be even less true that Ontario is poorer than Mississippi.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@boutros555 @maxfawcett If we were going by GDP overall, the statement that Ontario is poorer than Mississippi would be even less true.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@bunnysnack Dracula's only crime was entering London without going through the proper immigration channels.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@FlungingPicture @dieworkwear Fair enough! I think the businessman comes off as a little intentionally grotesque, and the skinny looking legs add to that.

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

How are these two pages from a Robert Munsch children's book such a perfect example of when @dieworkwear says slim pants do and do not work?

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@apotrafied That you know of

[Niko Bell @NikoMBell]

@bonchieredstate Petroleum sounds really useful. Should probably stop burning it.