Sweat Equity: How Tae Bo Conquered the Fitness World

filed under: exercise, #TBT
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Jane Fonda was gone, and the exercise video craze had appeared to have left with her. The Oscar-winning actress who popularized aerobics with a series of video cassette tapes in the 1980s and helped usher in a national fitness focus that bordered on narcissism had returned to her acting career. None of her obvious heirs—Jake Steinfeld; Denise Austin; the sculpted, first-name-only Gilad—could seem to equal her cultural standing. Americans were faced with the prospect of going to an actual gym.

Where others saw a dead genre, Billy Blanks and Paul Monea saw opportunity. Blanks was a lifelong martial artist and low-budget film actor who had been refining a kickboxing cardio routine for decades; Monea was an infomercial king who made headlines with the Stimulator, a device that promised to cure backaches despite being little more than a barbecue grill igniter with finger grips.

In less than seven months, Blanks’s name would eventually surpass Fonda’s as a VHS exercise icon using a simple system that would be known the world over as Karobics.

When he found out Karobics was already trademarked, he renamed it Tae Bo.   

Billy Blanks Tae Bo Fitness via YouTube

Karobics began in 1976, the year Bill Conti’s theme to Rocky became an anthem for anyone in a sweatsuit. Blanks, then 21 years old and a regular on the competition karate circuit, used it as a morale booster for workouts in his basement, shadowboxing and kicking into the air until he was exhausted.

After stints as a janitor and chemical plant worker, Blanks moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s, intending to parlay his athletic physique into an action film career: He scored parts in video store staples like Bloodfist and The King of the Kick Boxers. At the same time, he wanted to propagate Karobics among the city’s image-obsessed population, opening a fitness studio in Sherman Oaks and earning the respect of celebrity clientele like boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, Ashley Judd, and Sinbad.

“It’s the best”, the comedian told the Chicago Tribune in 1996. “It’s the baddest.”

Tossing the Karobics name, Blanks embraced Tae Bo, a martial arts and dance regimen that promised to burn hundreds of calories per session. A hybrid of Tae Kwon Do and boxing, Blanks said it stood for “Total Awareness of Excellent Body Obedience.” Not wishing a repeat of Karobics, he trademarked it in 1992.

Having studied Fonda’s tapes and how to count beats in ballet classes, Blanks was optimistic his workout would have national appeal. One of the home video distributors he approached early on disagreed, insisting that a black male would have problems convincing a mostly white, mostly female demographic to buy his tapes. Irked, Blanks broke off talks and decided to side with Paul Monea, an Ohio-based producer who sensed Blanks had the kind of charisma that played well in the early morning infomercial hours.

Monea, however, wanted Blanks to peddle exercise equipment. After deliberation, Blanks convinced him that a Tae Bo instructional would prove more profitable. There were already numerous celebrities enrolled in his classes that would be willing to provide video testimonials at no charge.

Monea was convinced. In August 1998, commercials and half-hour spots for Tae Bo began airing. For $59.85, consumers could purchase four workout tapes led by Blanks urging them to leave a puddle of sweat on their living room floors.

The infomercial aired up to 2000 times a day across various markets, costing Monea $1.5 million a week in airtime purchases. But it proved to be a worthy investment: in less than a year, Tae Bo would gross $80 million. The tapes outsold every major home video release of 1999, including The Matrix and Saving Private Ryan.

Getty Images

Previously known only to his Sherman Oaks regulars and karate enthusiasts, Blanks was suddenly inundated with up to 80 calls an hour from news outlets. (He shunted them off to a publicist.) So many people made a pilgrimage to his studio that staff would have to turn most of them away. Bantam Books paid a reported $1.2 million advance for a fitness guide. Blanks was even installed on Oprah for a guest spot—for an entire week.

Like any success in the fitness industry, Tae Bo was besieged by copycats. Blanks’s legal team issued 60 cease and desist letters a week to regional gyms advertising classes using the name without permission. To avoid litigation, prospective Tae Bo instructors could take a certification class from Blanks for $995. Those that didn’t were forced to lead derivative classes like Gotham Box, which married (loose) self-defense maneuvers with a regimented workout.

It was a flattering, if expensive, form of imitation. But Blanks was less charmed by litigation that started to bubble up from within his own inner circle. Sugar Ray Leonard, who had endorsed Tae Bo as a favor to his friend, filed a lawsuit against Monea for using his name without permission. Later, Blanks would struggle with Monea himself, alleging that his partner had cut him an unfavorable deal and had aligned Blanks’s own lawyers against him. (Monea denied the accusations: according to Cleveland Scene, the two settled out of court.)

The legal tussles took the fight out of Banks, who grew concerned the Tae Bo name was entering legally murky territory. By 2008, the tapes had slowed to a trickle, with Blanks in Japan marketing a new routine he dubbed Billy’s Boot Camp. (It sold one million copies overseas.) When he returned to the States, Tae Bo had been dethroned by new fitness trends: SoulCycle, CrossFit, and the higher-energy output of cardio sermons by the likes of Shaun T.

Now 60, Blanks continues to teach Tae Bo in both Sherman Oaks—his son now owns the school—and a location in Dana Point, California. New iterations dubbed Tae Bo Evolution and Tae Bo 2.0 promise to incorporate more equipment and variety. If instructors want to stick with a classic, they can be still be certified by Blanks personally—now for a more reasonable $250.


September 29, 2016 – 1:30pm

Study Highlights Why Some Gut Probiotics Are More Effective Than Others

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As scientists continue to find out more about the human microbiome, that ecosystem of bacteria that live on and inside us, it’s clear that influencing the type of bacteria that colonize your skin and gut can have tangible effects on your health and well-being. But just how to change the composition of your bacteria isn’t clear, and there’s still not enough research to show that the probiotics available now are effective at treating specific disorders. Gut bacterial colonies tend to be very stable even in the face of probiotic treatments, and studies have indicated that alterations in the gut bacteria in cases of fecal transplants tend to be temporary.

However, a new study finds that selecting the right bacterial strain for the gut environment can make a major difference in whether or not the probiotic can impact the microbiome. Published today in Cell Host & Microbe, the study was led by Jens Walter, an associate professor of nutrition, microbes, and gastrointestinal health at the University of Alberta.

The research team gave 23 volunteers a daily dose of the probiotic strain AH1206 of the bacteria Bifidobacterium longum, one of the most common species of bacteria found in the gut. Half took the bacteria dose for two weeks while the other half took a placebo, and then the two groups switched for a second two-week round. The researchers periodically checked their gut flora composition via fecal samples in the months that followed. A third of the volunteers who took the probiotic showed lasting changes to their gut microbiome, showing evidence of the strain’s colonization up to six months afterward. In the other two-thirds of the group, the bacteria had disappeared within a month.

These “persisters,” as the researchers call them, had slightly different microbiomes than the other volunteers at the outset of the study. They had lower levels of that particular species or species with similar genes. Essentially, the bacteria could only survive if it was filling a particular gap in the microbiome. If pre-existing bacterial strains had already colonized the gut, the new bacteria had to compete for the same resources, and usually didn’t survive.

With only 23 volunteers (and just eight “persisters”), this study is far from definitive, especially since the researchers didn’t control for volunteers’ different diets. But Walter likens the main idea back to Darwinism. “Competition in ecosystems is especially harsh amongst closely related species because they have the same resource requirements,” he explains in a press statement. But if someone has lost a particular strain of bacteria or their body never had it in the first place, it’s possible to repopulate the microbiome with that strain. By figuring out who would be a “persister,” researchers could potentially personalize probiotics to be more effective, the study indicates.

The study also suggests that the reason commercially available probiotics might be ineffective is that the strains they contain—if they even contain the type of bacteria claimed on the label—aren’t indigenous to the gut, and thus, perhaps unsurprisingly, aren’t very well adapted to survive there.


September 29, 2016 – 12:45pm

George Takei Donates Art and ‘Star Trek’ Memorabilia to L.A. Museum

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Frederick M. Brown // Getty

Come next spring, Trekkies will have a new reason to make a pilgrimage to Los Angeles. George Takei is donating his personal collection of art, artifacts, and Star Trek memorabilia to the Japanese American National Museum, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, the items will be the focus of a new exhibit debuting March 12, 2017.

Playing Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek series is one of many accomplishments the actor has achieved in his lifetime. During his 79 years, he’s advocated for gay rights, run marathons, raised awareness about the injustice of Japanese-American internment camps, and cultivated a powerful Facebook presence. The items in his collection span his entire career, including his 1973 bid for a seat on the L.A. City Council and his carrying of the Olympic torch leading up to the 1984 L.A. games.

The scripts, photos, sculptures, and Star Trek goodies that make up the gift will be the center of an exhibition titled “New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei.” In addition to serving on its board of trustees, Takei helped found the museum, and even had his wedding there in 2008. 

[h/t The Hollywood Reporter]

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.


September 29, 2016 – 12:30pm

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New Study May Explain How Zika Virus Causes Microcephaly

Dr. Stella Guerra performs physical therapy on an infant born with microcephaly at Altino Ventura Foundation on June 2, 2016 in Recife, Brazil. Image Credit: Mario Tama // Getty Images

 
One question underlies the race for a Zika vaccine: What is this virus, exactly, and how does it work? A new paper in the journal Cell Host & Microbe takes us one step closer to understanding by illuminating the relationship between Zika infection and microcephaly.

Babies with the congenital condition called microcephaly are born with unusually small heads and often have difficulties with brain development. Women who become infected with Zika virus while pregnant are at risk for transmitting the virus to their infants, who may be at higher risk for microcephaly. But just how Zika causes microcephaly has remained something of a puzzle.

To take a closer look, researchers at Stanford University cultured human stem cells in petri dishes and infected them with the virus. As the cells developed into embryos, the team was able to monitor exactly what went wrong with which cells.

Previous studies had focused on neural progenitor cells, which eventually grow into the nervous system. The Stanford team found a vital element in a second type of cell: cranial neural crest cells (CNCC). But where neural progenitor cells are easily killed off by the virus, cranial neural crest cells responded quite differently, secreting two kinds of cytokines, or inflammatory immune response signaling molecules, in reaction to the presence of the virus. That triggered the growth of more new neural cells—and sent the process of brain and skull development off the rails. Some cells split prematurely, and others died. The virus effectively interfered by confusing communication—or “crosstalk,” as the researchers describe it—between cranial neural crest cells and neural progenitor cells.

“Our results suggest that CNCC infection by ZIKV may contribute to associated embryopathies through signaling crosstalk between developing face and brain structures,” they write.

Co-senior author Joanna Wysocka is a chemical and systems biologist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She says it’s possible that the virus is affecting still other cell types in addition to these two.

“Neural crest cells are one example,” she said in a press statement, “but such mechanisms may also be relevant to other tissues that come in contact with the developing brain during head formation and could be infected by Zika virus.”

Wysocka emphasized that microcephaly is a congenital issue and not a risk for adults who contract the virus.

The team’s findings are “remarkable,” physician Larry Brilliant tells mental_floss. (Brilliant was unaffiliated with the study.) The notion of crosstalk between the cell types is “phenomenally important,” he said, because “they lead to questions of [whether] therapeutic interventions might be possible even after the virus is transmitted.”

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com. 


September 29, 2016 – 12:01pm

11 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Aquariums

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Earth is nicknamed “the blue planet” for a reason—lakes, rivers, and oceans cover around 71 percent of its surface. Aquariums help us connect with these watery environments, but looking after the creatures that live in these places isn’t always easy. On any given day, the people who take care of water-dwelling animals and plants for a living—they’re known as aquarists—might be asked to swim with sharks, train sea lions, or poke a gassy sea horse.

1. THE JOB MARKET IS INCREDIBLY COMPETITIVE.

Like zoos, aquariums get loads of applications whenever an animal care position opens. Therefore, vacancies tend to be filled in short order. “It’s a very, very competitive field,” says Paige Stuart, an aquarist at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. “Basically everybody wants to do this, so you have to try to get ahead of the game as much as you can.” As a rule, aquariums will expect all applicants to have a degree in biology or a related field. Stuart adds that, on top of this, “You definitely have to be scuba-certified.”

But satisfying those two requirements still might not be enough to get you hired. “It’s harder to get a job without first having a lot of experience,” Sally*, who works at a zoo in the southeastern U.S., notes. “You need the degree, but it’s the experience that’s going to make you better at your job and what will ultimately get you the job in the first place.”

To boost your credentials, Sally recommends volunteering or interning at a local aquarium, zoo, or animal shelter. Applying to pet stores, she adds, might also be a good idea: “They’ll help you get to know the practical side of things, the actual application of your book knowledge.”

2. OCTOPUSES CAN CAUSE MAYHEM.

Never underestimate those cephalopods. In 2008, an octopus at one German aquarium deliberately short-circuited the lamp above his tank by squirting a jet of water at the fixture. Not to be outdone, an octopus at the Santa Monica Pier aquarium caused a minor flood the next year. After the creature loosened a water-control valve that fed into its own filtration system, 200 gallons of seawater poured out onto the surrounding floor. And last April, yet another octopus pulled off a spectacular escape worthy of Steve McQueen. Staffers at the New Zealand National Aquarium were dumbfounded to discover that their octopus named Inky had crawled out of his tank and squeezed into a six-inch-wide drain. Where did this exit lead? Directly into the Pacific Ocean.

3. IF YOU WANT TO BE AN AQUARIST, BRUSH UP ON YOUR PLUMBING SKILLS.

“Believe me, you need to know a lot about plumbing for this job,” Vickie Sawyer, an aquarist at Norwalk’s Maritime Aquarium, observes. Those who work with captive fish and marine animals deal with all manner of filters, valves, and pumps, and the bigger the aquarium, the more elaborate the plumbing. Consider, for instance, the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, which utilizes an expansive network of filtration systems that distributes 10 million gallons of water throughout the facility. To keep things running smoothly, a Life Support System (LSS) team oversees some 225 individual pumps. These highly trained employees are also responsible for monitoring the water temperature and pH level in each tank, among other things.

4. GASSY SEA HORSES MAY BENEFIT FROM A GENTLE POKING SESSION.

As most people know, it’s the male seahorse that gives birth. A special pouch on his stomach makes this amazing feat possible. When these fish mate, the females deposit their eggs into the pouch. Ten to 25 days later, as many as 2000 babies will come shooting out of this receptacle. Sally tells us that the unusual breeding process makes male sea horses susceptible to an odd medical problem: Excessive gas sometimes accumulates inside of their pouches. To deal with this, an aquarist will need to gently grasp an afflicted male, keeping him just below the water’s surface. Then, Sally explains, careful pressure should be applied to his midsection with a blunt, stick-shaped object (e.g., a plastic pipette). If all goes well, the gas will be released in the form of harmless bubbles.

5. CAPTIVE SEALS GET RESTAURANT-QUALITY CUISINE.

Every fish that’s given to a seal or sea lion has to be rigorously inspected for quality and health. “We check their eyes, their bodies, and press their stomachs to make sure they aren’t too soft,” Sawyer says. According to Sally, if even a single scale is out of place, the fish can’t be used. “There are a lot of really strict regulations on marine-mammal keeping,” she says. “I used to work with seals and when I did, I spent 90 percent of my time in the kitchen, making sure the fish were perfect. If any little scale was missing, that could mean that some parasite had gotten inside the fish.” When all’s said and done, the potential entrée has to be a restaurant-quality specimen.

6. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A “TOUCH TANK” IS NOT A PLAYGROUND.

So-called “touch tanks” are roofless enclosures that allow guests to reach down and actually touch a small menagerie of aquatic animals. Given the hands-on appeal, such exhibits are quite popular—especially with kids. Unfortunately, visitors sometimes get a little too rough with the display creatures. In order to keep their creatures from getting injured or stressed, aquariums will often enforce a strict “two-finger touch” policy (rather than using the whole hand). It’s also common practice to ask all guests to wash their hands before they approach the tank.

7. TRAINING A MARINE MAMMAL IS A VERY TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS.

In the words of biologist Toni Loschiavo, “There’s a lot of time, there’s a lot of patience, there’s a lot of care that goes into each animal that you see performing in a show.” An assistant curator at the Mystic Aquarium in eastern Connecticut, Loschiavo helps manage the facility’s Maritime Theater, where trained sea lions dazzle crowds several times a day. Experience has taught her that even the most basic marine mammal stunts are the fruit of some intense labor. For instance, she claims that teaching a pinniped (seal or sea lion) just to lift its flipper on command is a process that can take more than 30 hours.

Most trainers employ a method called “positive reinforcement operant conditioning.” This involves giving the animal a command and then rewarding it—usually with food—for responding appropriately. To inform the creature that it’s done a good job and that a reward is on the way, trainers use a special signal known as a “bridge.” Normally a sight or sound cue of some kind (eg: blowing a whistle), this lets the animal know it has done a good job and prevents it from getting frustrated while its trainer grabs a treat. [PDF]

8. AQUARIUMS TEND TO TRADE ANIMALS.

Myrtle the green sea turtle. Image credit: seriouslysilly via Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Myrtle the green sea turtle is arguably the most beloved reptile in Boston. Over the past 46 years, she’s become a fan favorite at the New England Aquarium, where she spends her days eating Brussels sprouts and hanging out with sharks in a gorgeous four-story tank. “She arrived on June 12, 1970 … the year after we opened,” New England Aquarium senior aquarist Sherrie Floyd Cutler told Boston Magazine. Myrtle was acquired from the now-defunct Provincetown Aquarium in exchange for some smaller turtles. Cutler reveals that it’s “very common for aquariums and zoos to trade surplus animals … In terms of conservation, it helps partially to stock exhibits, especially when you’re talking about an endangered species. Myrtle was too big for their tank, so it worked great for us.”

9. THEY PERFORM ANIMAL AUTOPSIES.

“You have to report every single death,” Sally tells mental_floss. Oftentimes, the staff veterinarian(s) will perform a necropsy (an animal autopsy) in order to ascertain why the creature died. Information gleaned from this procedure can be invaluable; if it turns out that a certain fish was killed by some kind of disease, the necropsy might help the staff fight the outbreak before it can spread further and potentially wipe out an entire tank.

10. AQUARISTS SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME CLEANING.

Just ask Ruby Banwait, a fish specialist at the Vancouver Aquarium [PDF]. “Much of the work of an aquarist is cleaning—cleaning glass, cleaning walls, cleaning gravel,” she says. “This is important not only for the health of the animals but also for aesthetic reasons. We want … visitors [to] mentally transport themselves into the world beneath the water.”

Sally agrees that she spends much of her day cleaning tanks, noting that she’ll often get herself pretty filthy in the process. “There are so many ways to get covered in fish poop,” she jokes. On certain weekdays, she’ll clean the substrate and filters of her aquariums, and fecal matter collects in both locations. Then there’s the protein skimmer, a handy device used to filter out solid waste. “It’s basically just a cup of poop that you have to wash out in a sink,” she explains.

11. GREAT PAINS ARE TAKEN TO KEEP THE SHARKS WELL-FED.

Nurse sharks, lemon sharks, and other good-sized species often share huge, expensive enclosures with various smaller fish. Ever wonder what stops the notorious predators from turning these tanks into sushi bars?

The answer is actually pretty straightforward. When a carnivore’s belly stays full, it loses the urge to hunt. So aquarists make sure that their sharks stay satisfied. At the Tennessee Aquarium, the biggest marine tank is a mixed-species setup that includes multiple sand tiger and sandbar sharks (both of which can grow to 8 feet or more). Three times every week, the predatory fish are given two to three percent of their body weight in food. A typical meal consists of some mackerel meat dipped into the tank at the end of a large pole.

The Toronto-based Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada maintains a similar tank, filled with its own sand tigers. Like their counterparts in Tennessee, the keepers here stand on platforms and hold out long sticks tipped with some tasty shark chow. Apparently, the system works very well. “People frequently lose their poles while feeding the sharks. I’ve even fallen in the tank,” aquarist Nicole Petrovskis told Toronto Life magazine. “When I fell, all the sharks heard the noise and flew to the other side … People ask if I was scared, but the first thing I thought of when I fell in was, ‘Damn, it’s weird to swim with shoes on.’”

All images via iStock unless otherwise noted.

* Some names have been changed.


September 29, 2016 – 12:00pm

A Bumble Bee May Soon Be Added to the Endangered Species List

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The plight of the bumble bee is getting serious. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just proposed that the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) be officially classified as an endangered species.

According to the USFWS, the bee has seen a steep decline in population from the 1990s, when it could be found across 31 states, to a current low point of just 13. Possible factors include climate change, habitat loss, pesticides, and pathogens introduced by commercially produced bees that circulate in the wild.

The status of Bombus affinis is particularly concerning since the bees are usually found pollinating several key crops, including apples, cranberries, and plums.

The Service will be taking comments on the addition until November 21, with a final decision expected afterward. If the proposal is enacted, it would mark the first time any species of bee has been granted federal protection.

[h/t Seeker]

Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.


September 29, 2016 – 11:45am

Don’t Miss Thursday’s Amazing Amazon Deals

As a recurring feature, our team combs the Web and shares some amazing Amazon deals we’ve turned up. Here’s what caught our eye today, September 29.

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!

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SENSO ActivBuds Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Sports Earphones w/ Mic IPX7 Waterproof HD Stereo Sweatproof Earbuds for Gym Running Workout 9 Hour Battery Noise Cancelling Headsets for $31.97 (list price $169.99)

Cablex Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Bluetooth Headset V4.1 Stereo Sports Earbuds with Mic In-Ear Noise Cancelling Sweatproof Earphones for iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Android Smartphones for $19.99 (list price $49.99)Car Charger RAVPower 24W 4.8A Aluminum Alloy Dual USB Car Charger with iSmart Technology for iPhone 7, iPad, Samsung, LG, and More – Black for $7.99 (list price $12.99)

Philips Connected Health Watch, Black for $199.99 (list price $249.99)

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iblast audio Bluetooth Earbuds Wireless Running Headphones IPX7 Water SweatProof Comfortable Secure Fit 9hr Battery Sport w/Mic V1.1 for $49.99 (list price $169.99)

Anker PowerCore Slim 5000 Portable Charger, Ultra Slim External Battery with iPhone battery technology and Fast-Charging PowerIQ, Pocket Friendly Power Bank, Perfectly designed for iPhone for $17.99 (list price $49.99)

Maxah MX-UC1 Surge Protector All in One Universal Travel Wall Charger AC Power AU UK US EU Plug Adapter for $6.99 (list price $16.99)

Bluetooth V4.1 Audio Transmitter and Receiver,LADUO Touch control Bluetooth Adapter,Support Two Bluetooth Headphones Or Speakers Simultaneously for TV,CD, iPod, MP3,MP4, Car or Home Stereo for $25.50 (list price $69.00)

[World’s Very First] Jackery Jewel, 2-in-1 Apple MFI Certified Lightning Power Cable with Built-In Compact External Portable Charger, Cable & Battery Combo for Your iPhone (2016 iF Award Winner) for $16.99 (list price $39.99)

AUKEY Car Mount with Universal Air Vent Magnetic Technology for iPhone 6, 6S, Samsung S6, Android Cellphones and More for $8.99 (list price $12.99)

Upow Bamboo Multi-device Cords Organizer Stand and Charging Station Docks for Smart Phones and Tablets for $29.99 (list price $39.99)

iHome Bluetooth Rechargeable Mini Speaker Cube – Black for $19.99 (list price $24.99)

Car Mount, Anker CD Slot Magnetic Universal Phone Holder for iPhone 7/7 plus/6/6s/6 plus/6s plus, Samsung S7/S6/edge/Note 7/Note 5, LG G5, Nexus 5X/6/6P, Moto, HTC, Sony and Other Smartphones (Black) for $11.89 (list price $19.99)

StarLight 2016 Model Water Ripple Effect Light Projector with 16 Colors, 3 Modes, 3 Speeds, & Remote Control (Black) for $26.99 (list price $46.99)

NMPB S2 Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Headset Noise Cancelling Sweatproof Earbuds with Mic-Black for $18.99 (list price $99.00)

Anker PowerCore+ mini 3350mAh Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger (3rd Generation, Premium Aluminum Power Bank) One of the Most Compact External Batteries, Uses High-Quality Panasonic Cells for $15.99 (list price $39.99)

Quick Charge 2.0, Anker 36W Dual USB Car Charger PowerDrive+ 2 for iPhone, iPad, Galaxy S7/S6/Edge/Plus, Note 4/5, LG G5 G4, HTC, Nexus More for $19.99 (list price $59.99)

Mens Unique Roman Numeral Fashion Design Quartz Analog Waterproof Wrist Business Casual Watch with Stainless Steel Case, 98ft 30M 3ATM Water Resistant, Comfortable PU Leather Band – Brown by Apopson for $13.99 (list price $49.99)

Stuhrling Original Winchester Mens Black Watch – Swiss Quartz Analog Date Wrist Watch for Men – Black IP Stainless Steel Mens Designer Watch with Black Genuine Leather Strap 881.03 for $78.97 (list price $395.00)

Timex Men’s T2N700 Intelligent Quartz SL Series Fly-Back Chronograph Brown Leather Strap Watch for $85.22 (list price $150.00)

Stuhrling Original Delphi Automatic Watch – Grey Skeleton Dial Wrist Watch for Men – Stainless Steel Brown Leather Analog Watch 730.02 for $102.50 (list price $395.00)

KITCHEN

DeLonghi ESAM3300 Magnifica Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine for $499.95 (list price $699.95)

Langforth Pan Pot Oraganizer 5-Tier Height Adjustable Frying Kitchenware Cookware Rack Holder Hanger Shelves Kitchen Cabinet Worktop Countertop Storage Solutions Stainless Steel for $24.99 (list price $69.99)

Estilo EST0286 Stainless steel Utensil Holder Jumbo – 7 X 7″ for $10.20 (list price $11.99)

KD Organizers 6-Slot Large Mesh Drawer Organizer for $24.97 (list price $37.45)

Great Northern Popcorn Red Princeton 8 oz Ounce Bar Style Antique Popcorn Machine for $178.02 (list price $449.95)

Hamilton Beach 25460A Panini Press Gourmet Sandwich Maker for $24.59 (list price $63.99)

Lodge Color EC3CC33 Enameled Cast Iron Covered Casserole, Caribbean Blue, 3-Quart for $57.13 (list price $90.00)

Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker for $69.99 (list price $165.00)

Dash Go Rapid Egg Cooker, Black for $14.96 (list price $16.75)

Chef’s Choice 609 Premium Electric Food Slicer for $99.95 (list price $130.00)

Victoria 8 inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press and Pataconera, Original Made in Colombia, Seasoned for $19.99 (list price $28.76)

Geeklife Jujube Wood Beer Mug Japanese Handmade Beer Cup, Brown 400 ml for $21.99 (list price $45.00)

Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator for $34.02 (list price $59.99)

RTIC 30 oz. Tumbler for $14.76 (list price $59.95)

Zyliss Chef’s Knife with Sheath Cover, 7.5-Inch Stainless Steel Blade for $12.89 (list price $13.99)

Glass Wine Decanter by HiCoup – Artisan Made, Mouth-Blown and Lead-free Crystal Glass Red Wine Carafe (800ml) for $39.95 (list price $49.95)

Waiters Corkscrew by Cresimo – Premium Rosewood All-in-one Corkscrew, Bottle Opener and Foil Cutter for $7.95 (list price $16.00)

LIFT Certified BPA-Free Reusable Microwavable Meal Prep Containers with Lids, 28-Ounce, 7 Pack (Includes Ebook) for $10.01 (list price $14.99)

Pyrex Prepware 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set for $12.49 (list price $14.69)

Premium Organic Bamboo Extra Large Cutting Board and Serving Tray with Drip Groove [ 18″ x 12″ x ¾” inch Thick ] Eco-Friendly Thick Strong Bamboo Kitchenware for $17.95 (list price $52.99)

Cuisinart AMB-14PP Chef’s Classic Nonstick Bakeware 14-Inch Pizza Pan for $10.80 (list price $45.30)

Chopping Board Mat Set of 4:Extra Thick 15”X12” cutting board With Colourful Icons & “Silicone- Criss cross -Grip”-Anti-microbial-Germ-resistant- Live healthy by Monster Kitchen. for $14.88 (list price $25.95)

Vervetie Silicone Spatula Set One-Piece Design Kitchen Utensil Set, 3-Piece BPA Free Heat Resistant Spoon & Spatulas (Black) for $10.99 (list price $23.99)

Stainless Steel Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater with Safety Cover, Cheese Knife & Cleaning Brush – For Lemon, Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Chocolate, Garlic & Veggies. for $10.97 (list price $19.95)

Lodge L9OG3 Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Round Griddle, 10.5-inch for $13.19 (list price $24.00)

Thirstystone Bamboo and Faux Leather Ambiance Coasters, Multicolor for $12.35 (list price $17.99)

Cuisinart CWO-25 Electric Wine Opener, Stainless Steel for $29.95 (list price $55.00)

IMUSA USA GAU-80305 1100W Electric Single Burner, Black for $11.99 (list price $15.99)

BLACK+DECKER TR1478BD 4-Slice Toaster, Black for $29.92 (list price $39.99)

Kitchen Supply 14-Inch x 16-Inch Aluminum Pizza Peel with Wood Handle for $22.95 (list price $28.50)

RÖD Wine – Red Wine Glasses – Set of 3 – 22-Ounce – Superior Lead Free Crystal for $43.90 (list price $69.00)

FarmStand 2.5 Gallon Glass Beverage Dispenser with Galvanized Steel Frame Vintage for $55.99 (list price $79.99)

GLOUE Silicone Spatula Set – 4-piece 450oF Heat-Resistant Baking Spoon & Spatulas – Ergonomic Easy-to-Clean Seamless One-Piece Design – Nonstick – Dishwasher Safe – Solid Stainless Steel – Multicolor for $9.95 (list price $22.97)

Rada Cutlery S01 Paring Knives Galore Gift Set for $14.29 (list price $20.60)

HOME

Simmons Curv 3-inch Flat Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper – Queen for $139.99 (list price $139.99)

simplehuman Round Step Trash Can, Stainless Steel, Plastic Lid, 30 L / 8 Gal for $39.99 (list price $49.99)

Sodynee Foldable Cloth Storage Cube Basket Bins Organizer Containers Drawers, 6 Pack, Grey for $17.79 (list price $32.99)

Hoover Sprint QuickVac Bagless Upright Vacuum, UH20040 – Corded for $47.29 (list price $79.99)

CapRack18 – Baseball Cap Holder (Black) for $10.00 (list price $15.00)

Remedy Complete Comfort Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow for $19.00 (list price $29.81)

Therapeutic Design Contour Memory Foam Bed Pillow for Side Sleepers and Neck Pain,Orthopedic Hypoallergenic Sleep Pillow White King Size 25×14.5×4.3(Lower)x4.7(Higher) inches for $53.99 (list price $75.00)

Pinzon 400-Thread-Count Hemstitch Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set – King, White for $25.69 (list price $52.99)

AmazonBasics Full/Queen Reversible Microfiber Comforter, Navy Blue for $19.03 (list price $24.99)

Saturday Knight Map of the World Peva Shower Curtain for $8.09 (list price $24.99)

Queen Comforter Duvet Insert White – Hypoallergenic, Plush Siliconized Fiberfill, Box Stitched, Down Alternative Comforter, Protects Against Dust Mites and Allergens by Utopia Bedding for $39.99 (list price $69.99)

Fitted Quilted Queen Mattress Pad – Stretches up to 17 inches Deep! Mattress Pad Cover by Utopia Bedding for $23.99 (list price $44.99)

Honeywell HZ-789 EnergySmart Electric Oil Filled Radiator Whole Room Heater for $69.99 (list price $129.99)

Natural Comfort White Down Alternative Comforter with Embossed Microfiber Shell, Light Weight Filled, Queen for $45.12 (list price $89.99)

Ziz Home Under The Bed Organizer, Anti-mold, Breathable Material, Household Home Organizers Tidy Up Your Closets, Shelves, Blankets, Linen Cloth Create Extra Storage Space Underbed, Eco-friendly, Transparent Top for $8.99 (list price $15.99)

Modern Living Space Furniture Leg Caps | Set of 16 Flexible Silicone Floor Protectors with Felt-Padded Backing, Designed to Fit Chair & Table Legs and Prevent Damage to Floors for $24.99 (list price $40.00)

Honey-Can-Do HMP-01367 Two-in-One Double Resin Hamper with Cover, Natural, 2-Bin for $17.08 (list price $49.00)

Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool Fan Heater, White/Silver (Certified Refurbished) for $199.99 (list price $279.99)

Armor All 2.5 Gallon, 2 Peak HP, Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum, AA255 for $34.87 (list price $49.99)

Jokari 16930 Baggy Rack Storage Bag Opener and Holder for $3.99 (list price $9.99)

CRESNEL Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Clothes Drying Rack – Rust-proof Guarantee – Premium Quality for $37.94 (list price $49.95)

Set of 5 Mesh Laundry Bags-1 Jumbo, 2 Extra Large & 2 Medium for Laundry,Blouse, Hosiery, Stocking, Underwear, Bra and Lingerie, Travel Laundry Bag for $9.89 (list price $19.99)

BioBag: Food Waste Certified Compostable, 3 Gallon, 25 ct (3 pack) for $14.59 (list price $23.94)

Whitmor 6044-14 White Crystal Collection Handbag File, Clear for $5.39 (list price $18.65)

Dreamfoam Bedding Arctic Dreams 10-Inch Cooling Gel Mattress, Queen for $279.99 (list price $799.99)

AmazonBasics 5-Shelf Shelving Unit – Black for $44.09 (list price $59.99)

Holmes 12 Inch Blizzard Remote Control Power Fan with Rotating Grill for $34.76 (list price $49.99)

Evelots Wire Shelf Dividers for Wood Closet Shelves, Organizer Seperators,4 Pack for $17.99 (list price $35.00)

Collapsible Fabric Storage Baskets – Set of 6 , Beige Colour – Utopia Home for $15.99 (list price $39.99)

DecoBros Two Tier Mesh Sliding Cabinet, Bronze (BK-017) for $23.87 (list price $29.99)

Ikea 172.283.40 Frakta Shopping Bag, Large, Blue, Set of 5 for $10.99 (list price $17.99)

InterDesign Axis Towel Holder for Bathroom Vanities – Bronze for $13.12 (list price $21.00)

Organize It All Metro 4-Tier Shelf (16984) for $27.41 (list price $60.84)

Jensen 781037 Builder Series Frameless Medicine Cabinet with Beveled Edge Mirror, 16-Inch by 22-Inch by 3-3/4-Inch for $50.46 (list price $74.53)

CreativeWare Complete Bath Towel Butler for $17.99 (list price $29.99)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Withings Body Cardio Heart Health and Body Composition Wi-Fi Scale, Black, 5.7 Pound for $134.96 (list price $179.95)

Philips Connected Ear Thermometer, White, DL8740/37 for $47.99 (list price $59.99)

Philips Connected Body Analysis Weight Scale, White, DL8781/37 for $79.99 (list price $99.99)

Gillette Fusion Manual Men’s Razor Blade Refills, 12 Count for $31.99 after on-screen coupon (list price $47.99)

Gillette Mach3 Turbo Cartridges 10 Count for $19.82 after on-screen coupon (list price $31.99)

Gillette Venus Embrace Women’s Razor Blade Refills 4 Count for $12.04 after on-screen coupon (list price $20.49)

Gillette Venus Original Women’s Razor Refill Cartridges 8 Count for $14.19 after on-screen coupon (list price $23.99)

Aquaphor Baby Wash & Shampoo 13.5 Fluid Ounce for $6.29 (list price $8.29)

Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Dandruff and Seborrheic Dermatitis Shampoo 13.5 Fl Oz (Pack of 2) for $13.56 (list price $15.98)

Schick Intuition Renewing Moisture Razor Blade Refills for Women with Pomegranate Extract – 6 Count for $16.29 (list price $27.99)

Bed Head Deep Waver for $18.64 (list price $27.99)

Edge Shave Gel for Men Sensitive Skin – 7 Ounce (Pack of 6) for $16.02 (list price $26.99)

WOW Hair Vanish For Women – Best Hair Retardant – 100ml – Long Lasting Hair Removal For Women for $15.99 (list price $20.99)

Burt’s Bees Renewal Night Cream, 1.8 Ounce for $14.19 (list price $19.99)

RUSK Engineering W8less Professional 2000 Watt Dryer for $79.95 (list price $135.95)

CHI Air Vibe Digital Touch Hair Dryer 1800W in Pink for $99.99 (list price $149.99)

Maybelline New York Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm, Peach Kiss, 0.15 Ounce for $3.99 (list price $4.49)

Maybelline New York Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balm, Too Cool #35, 0.15 Ounce for $2.99 (list price $4.49)

Dental Guard -Pack Of 4- Stops Teeth Grinding, Bruxism, Tmj, & Eliminates Teeth Clenching for $19.99 (list price $39.99)

Professional Dental Guard – Pack Of 4 – Stops Teeth Grinding, Bruxism & Eliminates Teeth Clenching for $10.00 (list price $49.95)

Advil Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer, 200mg Ibuprofen (300-Count Coated Tablets ) for $14.43 (list price $23.51)

Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guard PLUS IR3535® Insect Repellent Moisturizing Lotion – SPF 30 Gentle Breeze, 4 oz for $7.13 (list price $14.00)

pureGLO Body Wash Cleansing Bath Konjac Sponge [2 pack] | Natural and Chemical Free Charcoal and Original Exfoliating Face Shower Sponge| Eco-friendly for Baby and Adults All Skin Types for $14.99 (list price $40.00)

Loofah Bath Sponge set of 6 colors (50 gram each)-Large Mesh Exfoliating Shower Pouf for $11.99 (list price $19.99)

Conair Oval Double-Sided Lighted Mirror – Oiled-Bronze Finish for $31.99 (list price $49.99)

Skintimate Skin Therapy Moisturizing Shave Gel for Women Baby Soft with Baby Oil and Olive Butter – 7 Ounce (Pack of 6) for $16.80 (list price $26.99)

Schick Hydro 5 Razor Blade Refills for Men with Flip Trimmer- 12 Count for $25.99 (list price $33.99)

Jerdon HL65BZD 8-Inch Lighted Direct Wire Wall Mount Makeup Mirror with 5x Magnification, Bronze Finish for $50.00 (list price $99.99)

Smitco LLC Exfoliating Shower/bath Beauty Wash Gloves (4 Pairs) for $11.99 (list price $21.99)

Dove Beauty Bar, Sensitive Skin 4 oz, 16 Bar for $16.19 (list price $25.09)

Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula, 16 Fl. Oz for $13.99 (list price $16.39)

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen, 1 Fl. Oz for $14.84 (list price $19.99)

OFFICE, SCHOOL, AND CRAFTS

Origami RDE-01 Computer Desk for $109.99 (list price $149.99)

SPACE Seating AirGrid Latte Back and Padded Padded Mesh Seat, 2-to-1 Synchro Tilt Control, Adjustable Arms and Tilt Tension with Nylon Base Managers Chair for $136.26 (list price $375.00)

Oceanstar Portable 2-Tier Metal Rolling File Cart, Black for $31.87 (list price $39.99)

OfficemateOIC Binder Clips, Assorted Colors and Sizes, 30 Clips per Tub (31026) for $2.99 (list price $7.22)

Platinum Art Supplies Micro-Line Ultra-Fine Point Ink Pens (Set Of 16) for $19.99 (list price $39.99)

Casio Inc SL-100L Standard Function Calculator for $4.94 (list price $6.99)

E6000 230010 Craft Adhesive, 3.7 Fluid Ounces for $7.50 (list price $8.37)

Perler Beads 6,000 Count Bucket-Multi Mix for $6.84 (list price $10.69)

The ONLY 12 BEST CROCHET HOOKS SET WITH ERGONOMIC HANDLES FOR EXTREME COMFORT Perfect for Arthritic Hands Superior Performance for Any Patterns & Yarns Smooth Needle for Increased Productivity 2 ~ 8mm for $12.99 (list price $24.99)

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens, Medium Point, Black, 12-Count for $8.70 (list price $20.99)

BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ball Pen, Medium Point (1.0 mm), Black, 60-Count for $3.89 (list price $12.85)

Bondic, Repair Anything! Better Than Glue! Waterproof, Heat Resistant, 100% Non Toxic And Made In The USA! Up To 100 Fixes! The World’s First Liquid Plastic Welder! Bond, Build, Fix And Fill Anything In Seconds! (Bondic Starter Kit) for $19.94 (list price $39.99)

Scotch Precision Ultra Edge Scissors, 8 Inch, 3-Pack (1458-3AMZ) for $12.77 (list price $25.62)

Letraset Pro Marker Blending Set 1, Twin-Tip, 12-Pack for $24.57 (list price $29.95)

Pro Art 18-Piece Sketch/Draw Pencil Set for $6.26 (list price $9.95)

Fleemy 16GB Digital Voice Activated Recorder Dictaphone HD with MP3 Hi-Fi Player Rechargeable for $43.70 (list price $99.99)

Enchanted Fairy Garden Kit for $19.90 (list price $25.99)

Duck Brand Bubble Wrap Original Cushioning, 12-Inches x 175-Feet, Single Roll (1053440) for $17.11 (list price $25.99)

Duck Brand HD Clear High Performance Packaging Tape, 1.88-Inch x 54.6 Yard, Crystal Clear, 6-Pack (441962) for $11.79 (list price $22.99)

Scotch Cushion Wrap 7961, 12 Inches x 100 Feet for $15.44 (list price $18.99)

SEWING KIT, 38 Spools of Thread – FREE Extra 20 Most Useful Colors of Threads – Mini Travel sewing kit, Beginners Sewing Kit, Emergency sewing kit, Campers and home,over 80 Premium Sewing Supplies for $12.55 (list price $24.99)

Tulip Fabric Markers Fine Writers 20 Pack – Premium Quality, Nontoxic & Fast Drying for $13.77 (list price $19.99)

Fiskars 45mm Contour Rotary Cutter (195210-1001) for $11.18 (list price $17.00)

Tulip 29025 Dimensional Glow Fabric Paint, 6-Pack for $7.01 (list price $10.49)

Vellostar 6mm Reversible Tip Liquid Chalk Marker with 5 Extra Tips, Pack of 10 for $13.99 (list price $23.50)

OUTDOORS, GARDEN, AND SPORTS

Rubbermaid 5E28 Deluxe Tool Tower Rack with Casters, Holds 40 Tools for $37.99 (list price $99.99)

Deal of the Day: Save Up to 35% on ’47 NFL & NCAA Hats, Tees, and More

8Pack Dual Color LED Copper Finish Solar Lights Outdoor Sogrand Solar Pathway Lights Solar Landscape Lighting Solar Path Lights Solar Garden Lights for $35.80 (list price $138.00)

Portland Design Works Shiny Object CO2 Inflator with 16G Cartridge for $23.07 (list price $30.00)

Cyalume SnapLight Green Light Sticks – 6 Inch Industrial Grade, Ultra Bright Glow Sticks with 12 Hour Duration (Pack of 10) for $11.99 (list price $19.50)

Progear 555LXT Magnetic Tension Recumbent Bike with Workout Goal Setting Computer for $119.00 (list price $159.00)

Woodstock Famous Melodies, Pachelbel Canon Chime, Bronze for $38.00 (list price $48.35)

Sun Joe SDJ616 Shredder Joe 13-Amp 16:1 Reduction Electric Leaf Mulcher/Shredder for $115.99 (list price $159.99)

Fiskars Long Handle Digging Shovel (9668) for $21.99 (list price $34.99)

Best Choice Products Zero Gravity Canopy Sunshade Lounge Chair Cup Holder Patio Outdoor Garden Tan for $39.99 (list price $49.99)

Heininger 5995 58,000 BTU Portable Propane Outdoor Fire Pit for $99.97 (list price $149.99)

Weber Grill Cleaner Spray – Professional Strength Degreaser – Non Toxic 16 oz Cleanser for $10.95 (list price $14.95) 

Garrett Ace 400 Metal Detector for $339.95 (list price $399.95)

Sharkk Basics LED Headlamp Flashlight Portable IPX6 Waterproof Headlamp with Adjustable Lighting and Straps Up to 160 Lumen and 180hrs Battery Life for $19.99 (list price $69.99)

Igloo Products Corporation 00044669 Stainless Steel Cooler, 54 quart for $94.44 (list price $189.99)

Coolest Cooler with integrated speaker, ice-crushing blender, bottle opener, and LED lid light in Classic Orange for $224.99 (list price $449.00)

HiHiLL Camping Lantern Collapsible, Adjustable Brightness Flashlight, USB Rechargeable/Battery Operated, Hanging Lights with Hook, 185 Lumen for $16.99 (list price $28.99)

Coleman 10 x 10 Instant Screened Canopy for $96.85 (list price $119.99)

Coleman 5693A703G Jug 1/2Gal Bail for $10.22 (list price $12.00)

Coleman Montana 8-Person Tent for $143.37 (list price $219.99)

Intex Deluxe Pillow Rest Raised Airbed with Soft Flocked Top for Comfort, Built-in Pillow and Electric Pump, Twin, Bed Height 16 3/4″ for $39.18 (list price $59.99)

Smith and Wesson SWA24S Extreme Ops Linerlock Black Clip Point Blade Folding Knife for $10.79 (list price $17.24)

Stansport “Pro I” First Aid Kit for $14.94 (list price $20.99)

Sun Joe SDJ616 Shredder Joe 13-Amp 16:1 Reduction Electric Leaf Mulcher/Shredder for $115.99 (list price $159.99)

Lotee Instant Read Thermometer – Best Digital Cooking, Meat, Kitchen, Food, Candy, Water, Grill Thermometer with LCD Screen – Long Probe – Auto Shutdown for $10.99 (list price $39.99)

Adams Manufacturing 8500-48-3700 Plastic Quik-Fold Side Table, White for $13.81 (list price $24.99)

Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower for $44.49 (list price $87.90)

Weber 7447 Compact Rapidfire Chimney Starter for $12.73 (list price $13.99)

Best Choice Products Hammock 59″ Cotton Double Wide Solid Wood Spreader Outdoor Patio Yard Hammock for $29.99 (list price $49.95)

ELECTRONICS

AmazonBasics 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip 2-Pack, 200 Joule – Black for $9.81 (list price $11.49)

Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headphones (Black) for $148.00 (list price $199.99)

Denon AVR-X1300W Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth for $499.00 (list price $599.00)

Tripp Lite 100W Car Power Inverter with 1 Outlet & 2 USB Charging Ports, Auto Inverter, Ultra Compact (PV100USB) for $22.40 (list price $43.00)

Belkin 3-Outlet SurgePlus Mini Travel Swivel Charger Surge Protector with Dual USB Ports (2.1 AMP / 10 Watt), BST300 for $17.50 (list price $29.99)

Samsung UN65KS8000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2016 Model) for $1,797.99 (list price $2,799.99)

Samsung UN55KU6300 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2016 Model) for $797.99 (list price $999.99)

Mediabridge Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable (25 Feet) – RJ45 Computer Networking Cord – Blue for $7.99 (list price $13.49)

Samsung Blu-ray Player w/ Built-In Wi-Fi- BD-JM57C-(Certified Refurbished) for $41.60 (list price $89.99)

Linksys Max-Stream AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE7000) for $129.99 (list price $149.99)

Seagate Backup Plus Slim 2TB Portable External Hard Drive with 200GB of Cloud Storage & Mobile Device Backup USB 3.0 (STDR2000100) – Black for $79.99 (list price $89.00)

Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 Plus, Touchpad Keyboard for Internet-Connected TVs for $29.97 (list price $39.99)

WD Blue 1TB SATA 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch Desktop Hard Drive (WD10EZEX) for $49.99 (list price $109.99)

SanDisk 32GB Class 4 SDHC Memory Card, Frustration-Free Packaging- SDSDB-032G-AFFP (Label May Change) for $8.98 (list price $17.99)

TeckNet 2.4G Nano Wireless Mouse, 5 Buttons (M002) for $9.99 (list price $19.99)

VicTsing Sports Action Camera, 2.0 Inch 1080P HD Waterproof Action Camera DV Camcorder Kit (170 Degree Wide Angle Lens + 16 BOUNS Accessories) for $49.99 (list price $79.99)

Acer Aspire ES 15, 15.6″ HD, Intel Core i3-6100U, 4GB DDR3L, 1TB HDD, Windows 10 Home, ES1-572-31KW for $299.99 (list price $319.99)

Linksys High Speed DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem, Certified for Comcast/Xfinity, Time Warner, Cox & Charter (CM3008) for $52.00 (list price $69.99)

TP-LINK AV1200 Power Line Starter Kit, 3-Port Gigabit, Pass-through, Up to 1200Mbps(TL-PA8030P KIT) for $84.98 (list price $99.99)

TOOLS

BLACK+DECKER LI2000 3.6-Volt 3-Position Rechargeable Screwdriver for $18.57 (list price $37.46)

Damaged Screw Extractor and Remove Set by Aisxle, Easily Remove Stripped or Damaged Screws. Made From H.S.S. 4341#, the Hardness Is 62-63hrc, Set of 4 Stripped Screw Removers for $11.80 (list price $39.99)

Lumenty LED Filament Light Bulb A19 6W – 60W Equivalent – Vintage Edison Style Bulbs E26 Standard Base – Warm White 2700K UL-Listed Dimmable for $10.95 (list price $19.99)

Stanley 20-556 6-Inch FatMax Jab Saw for $9.97 (list price $14.70)

HICO 150BT 6-Inch Bench Grinder for $56.99 (list price $74.99)

WORKPRO 2-Piece 13-inch &18-inch Tool Bag Combo, Zip-Top, Wide Open Mouth Storage for $18.99 (list price $35.00)

DEWALT DCS387B 20-volt MAX Compact Reciprocating Saw with Tool for $97.35 (list price $222.53)

3M TEKK Protection Chemical Splash/Impact Goggle for $2.96 (list price $7.49)

DEWALT DW2153 IMPACT READY Accessory Set, 34-Piece for $14.99 (list price $32.10)

Tacklife Laser Tape Measure 0.05m to 60m (2 inches to 196Feet) with Pythagorean Mode, Area &Volume Calculation, Range Finder / Digital Tape Measure for $36.99 (list price $79.99)

Etekcity Lasergrip 774 Non-contact Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer, Yellow and Black for $16.78 (list price $19.99)

Leatherman – Micra Multi-Tool, Stainless Steel for $21.49 (list price $29.00)

Bosch GT3000 Glass and Tile Set, 8-Piece for $29.76 (list price $55.58)

Favormates Led Flashlight , Super LED Bright Flashlights, Skidless And Waterproof, Zoomable, Adjutable Focus, Perfect For Outdoor And Night-Time Activities for $7.89 (list price $21.99)

Bosch HCBG800 Blue Granite 8-Piece Hammer Drill Bit Set for $30.74 (list price $38.18)

Stanley 51-163 16-Ounce FatMax Xtreme AntiVibe Rip Claw Nailing Hammer for $17.99 (list price $31.50)

GOOLOO 600A Peak Portable Car Jump Starter Phone Power Bank (Up to 6.5L Gas or 5.0L Diesel Engine) Auto Battery Pack Booster Charger with LED Light for $69.99 (list price $199.99)

Hillman Fastener Corp 130251 Picture Hanger Assortment Kit for $8.84 (list price $9.99)

Bosch 24A ICON Wiper Blade – 24″ (Pack of 1) for $10.70 (list price $25.76)

Viking 862400 Blue Microfiber Wax Applicator, (Pack of 6) for $5.30 (list price $7.49)Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet Tester for $7.99 (list price $13.99)


September 29, 2016 – 12:10pm

Amazon Product Id: 
B0043OSIVM

The Origin of the Word ‘Slang’ Has Been Found

filed under: language, Words
Image credit: 
iStock

Let me put this right up front. The headline to this post is slightly misleading, but not dishonest. For the origin of the word slang indeed has been found, just not recently. It has been found for more than 100 years. The occasion for bringing this fact up now, and for the misleading headlinese, is that people still persist in presenting the origin as disputed. Anatoly Liberman, a highly respected etymologist who is in no way averse to hedging when warranted, tries to put the practice to rest in a recent Oxford University Press blog post titled “The Origin of the Word SLANG is Known!” That important exclamation point says not “exciting discovery!” but “Sheesh! Stop acting like it isn’t known already!”

As Liberman explains, it goes back to an old use of slang for “a narrow piece of land running up between other and larger divisions of ground.” It’s related to Scandinavian terms having to do with free movement and wandering, and the word’s “route was from ‘territory; turf’ to ‘those who advertise and sell their wares on such a territory,’ to ‘the patter used in advertising the wares,’ and to ‘vulgar language’ (later to ‘any colorful, informal way of expression’).”

Liberman has made his life’s work the thorough investigation of words marked “origin unknown” in etymological dictionaries. Though the explanation of slang laid out above appeared in his 2008 dictionary and is often credited to him, he gives credit to John Sampson, who set it forth in 1898. It was overlooked at the time, and Liberman laments,

“Few English words of disputable origin have been explained so convincingly, and it grieves me to see that some dictionaries still try to derive slang from Norwegian regional slengja ‘fling, cast’ or the phrase slengja kjeften ‘make insulting allusions’ (literarally ‘sling the jaw’), or from the old past tense of sling (that is, from the same grade of ablaut as the past tense of sling), or from language with s– appended to it (even if the amazing similarity between slang and language helped slang stay in Standard English, for many people must have thought of some hybrid like s-language). All those hypotheses lack foundation. The origin of slang is known, and the discovery made long ago should not be mentioned politely or condescendingly among a few others that stimulated the research but now belong to the museum of etymology.”

If you’re still not convinced, read the more involved explanation in his blog post or dictionary.


September 29, 2016 – 11:00am