MDBCs 09 Sep 2024

September 9 is Teddy Bear Day, a day to bring out all your teddy bears and thank them for their company, the fun times you have had with them, and for all the days and nights they comforted you.

Also, don't forget to give your teddy a big hug and apologize for all the rough housing your poor teddy bear may have had to go through in your childhood.

Teddy Roosevelt

Thought to have been created in the early 20th century, this iconic toy owes its name to American President Theodore Roosevelt, who was lovingly called Teddy by his family and friends.

The story of why the toy came to be named after him dates back to a hunting trip in 1902 when Roosevelt refused to shoot an injured bear. Rumor has it that in response, Morris Michtom, a candy store owner in New York displayed two stuffed bears made by his wife in his display window and called them Teddy's bear.

Children's Books Heros

Today teddy bears are a popular toy for children of all ages. The stuffed toy has also become a part of children's literature and movies and popular culture. Some famous teddy bears include Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh, Corduroy, the Berenstain Bear family and Fozzie Bear.

How to Celebrate?

If you have toys from your childhood stored away in the attic or the garage, today is the day to take out all your teddy bears and show them some love. If you are looking to make space, why not take them to a local charity shop where they can be cleaned and given to children who need them?
If you have children in your life, surprise them with their own teddy bear to cuddle with.
Watch TV shows and movies that feature a teddy bear.
Learn about the habitat and life of bears.

Did You Know…

…that the collective noun for bears is sleuth?

A group of bears is called a sleuth or a sloth. In the same way that the word “long” becomes “length” or the word “moon” becomes month, the old-fashioned –th added to an adjective form a noun. Sloth or sleuth originates from the adjective slow, and although bears are not particularly known for being the slowest animals, it could have originated from their habit of hibernation or from their habit of appearing like they are constantly in search of something – hence the word sleuth, which also means detective. A group of bear cubs is called a litter.

***

Feeling sick, my sister grabbed the thermometer from the medicine cabinet and popped it into her mouth.

“Uh, Julie, that’s the dog’s thermometer,” said my mother.

Julie spit it out. “Ewww, was that in Fitzie’s mouth?!”

Mum hesitated before replying, “Not exactly.”

***

I was really pleased with my purchase of a new pair of shoes from a major retailer. About a week later, on a rainy day, I was in a rush and quickly grabbed my shoes from the rack and made my way into town. To my horror, I felt a wet sensation inside my right shoe – it was leaking.

I returned to the shop to complain about the leaking right shoe. At customer service, the assistant looked at both shoes and said, “Yes, sir, you’re correct – the right shoe leaks, but unfortunately only the left shoe was bought from this store.”

My apology was as swift as my departure.

***

A vacuum cleaner salesman knocks on the door of an old lady’s house. The lady takes one look at him and says, “You are wasting your time, I have no money,” and tries to close the door.
Quick as a flash the salesman jams his foot in the door. He then tips a big pile of horse manure on her carpet and says “If I don’t clean all this up, I’ll eat the rest.”
The old lady says “Fine. But my power was cut off this morning, so let me get you a fork.”

***

While at a convention, Bill, Jim and Scott shared a hotel suite on the 75th floor. After a long day of meetings, they were shocked to find that the hotel elevators were broken and that they’d have to take the stairs all the way up to their room.

“I have a way to break the monotony,” said Bill. “I’ll tell jokes for 25 flights, Jim can sing songs for the next 25, and Scott can tell sad stories the rest of the way.”

As they started climbing, Bill told his first joke. At the 26th floor, Jim began to sing. At the 51st floor, it was Scott’s turn.

“I will tell my saddest story first,” he said. “Once there was a man who left the room key in the car.”