Today's Radio Solution from 4BC

16 January 2008

Why do they put Maru at the end of the name on Japanese ships?

In Japanese, Maru means circle or something that is loved - the word maru is often part of boys names in Japan to indicate how much a boy is loved. There are still disputes in Japan as to the actual origin in regards to ships and 2 of the more popular possibilities are:

• Ships were thought of as floating castles and the word maru referred to the defensive "circles" that protected the castle (like a moat around the castle)
• The legend of Hakudo Maru - a celestial being that came to earth and taught humans how to build ships. It is said that the name Maru is attached to a ship to gain the protection of and show gratitude to Hakudo Maru

Who was the oldest cricketer in Australia to make his test debut?

Bob Holland from NSW made his test debut at the age of 38 in the test match against the West Indies in Brisbane in 1984/85. He was a spin bowler.

Where does the saying "the world is his oyster" come from?

The proverb first appears in Shakespeare's play "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in 1600.

Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny

Piston: Why then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open

In this context it was used as a threat when Falstaff refuses to lend Pistol a penny, Pistol promises to use his sword, if not on Falstaff, then on other helpless victims to pry open their purses. These days it means someone is young, good looking, fortunate and somewhat arrogant and they are claiming that the world's riches are yours to leisurely pluck from the shell.