NUMERICAL COLLOQUIES

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- JANUARY 31, 2026

News items often are centered around numbers. This gives us an opportunity to have  some colloquies (dialogs) with a numerical component. 

 

The first number to consider is one (1). That signifies the number one choice for the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2025. “In 2025, we surveyed opinions from almost 5,000 children across the UK aged 6-14 years old and asked young people to vote for their preferred winning word. In the final results 'peace' came out on top.” (https://corp.oup.com/news/peace-named-oxford-childrens-word-of-the-year-for-2025/)

 

Peace might give us hope for eighty-five (85), which is the number of seconds that have ticked ahead on the Doomsday Clock. “The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board sets the Doomsday Clock at 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe. Our current trajectory is unsustainable.” More dire details at: https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/2026-statement/. 

 

Doomsday might actually look pretty good for those who lost part of nineteen billion dollars ($19 billion). “More than half of all cryptocurrencies ever launched are now defunct, with 2025 alone accounting for eighty-six percent of total project failures.

A record $19 billion crypto liquidation in October 2025 triggered a sharp market downturn, wiping out 7.7 million tokens in just three months.” Suddenly, that cash hidden in your mattress is looking mighty nice. (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/01/14/more-than-half-of-all-crypto-tokens-have-failed-and-most-died-in-2025)

 

Since you may not have any crypto left to count and while you're waiting for the clock to strike midnight, the number nine (9) may be a nice diversion. Dictionary Scoop has determined the nine hardest tongue twisters that the English language can produce.

 

The top one on the list is considered the hardest twister in the world: “pad kid poured curd pulled cod.”  Another one could be a challenge after imbibing a few adult beverages: “Rory the warrior and Roger the worrier were reared wrongly in a rural brewery.” More convoluted fun at: https://www.dictionaryscoop.com/article/9-of-the-Hardest-Tongue-Twisters-in-the-English-Language. 

 

Food numbers can be enlightening, like eight (8) grams. “Broccoli is often named as a great source of fiber, yet you can find some superior options in the produce kingdom. Green peas are a nutritious legume that outclasses broccoli in terms of fiber content. According to the USDA, one cup of chopped, raw broccoli contains two grams of dietary fiber, while one cup of fresh green peas contains eight grams. They also contain more than Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, and other veggies considered to be high in fiber.” Peas may be small, but they are mighty. (https://www.tastingtable.com/2082353/do-green-peas-have-more-fiber-than-broccoli/)

 

If peas are not enough food fun for you, how about eight hundred and sixty-eight (868) as a number? That's the weight (in pounds) of the largest recorded bagel.

 

But wait! When is a bagel not a bagel? “Boiling is a crucial step that helps gelatinize the dough so it achieves the ideal density. During a typical boiling period, bagels  absorb salts, sugars, or other seasonings that are added to the water, thus enhancing the dough’s flavor. For these reasons, culinary experts agree that it’s inaccurate to refer to 'bialys' or any other unboiled, torus-shaped baked goods as bagels.” (https://interestingfacts.com/fact/bagels-have-to-be-boiled/)

 

If you are full of peas and bagels, you may need to burn off some calories. That's where the year 1937 and the monetary sum of 25 cents comes in. “The Frisbee’s story starts with a toss. In 1937, a young man named Fred Morrison flung a popcorn lid across the lawn to his girlfriend, Lucile Nay. It flew surprisingly well. They upgraded to metal cake pans, and during a casual beach day in Santa Monica, they sold one to a fellow sunbather for 25 cents. The pan had cost them just a nickel. A business was born.” 

 

Of course,the Wham-O company made the disc an iconic toy. “By the 1980s, Frisbee had become a household name—not just in the U.S., but worldwide. Frisbee clubs, tournaments, and leagues cropped up across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The disc transcended language and culture. All you needed was open space and a bit of wind. Today, flying discs are recognized by the International Olympic Committee, with hopes of full medal-sport inclusion in future Games.” See the complete history at: https://wham-o.com/blogs/news/the-flight-of-a-classic-a-brief-history-of-the-frisbee. 

 

Finally, a number that deals with our current frozen weather. Science says: “Frigid nations have this all figured out. Let's steal their best ideas.” The important number is fifteen minutes (15). 

 

This is actually a scientific number. “Social interaction is very important during winter months. And so it's critical that you plan your socialization. Studies show just 15 minutes of talking can do the trick — so schedule a quick zoom with your bestie. Or go asynchronous and start sending voice chats to each other. Best of all, strike up a conversation.” 

 

Go to: https://www.scienceofbetter.net/posts/its-really-cold-heres-how-to-stay-happy-with-science. See what they do during long winter in places like Norway and Siberia. 

 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews. 

 

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