One of the more intriguing functions of a blog site meter is its ability to reveal what keyword search brought a particular reader to your pages (and do not worry, cravers of anonymity: the site meter cannot divulge your email address, simply your domain name).
Most of those who chance upon this site are drawn by searches that should end up here: "What is postcolonial theory" (Turkey); "Roger Caillois praying mantis" (Utrecht); even "one-eyed monsters" (Ontario). It's comforting to find that "postcolonial medievalists" is a fairly popular search, executed by readers in California, India, and London (the last one specifically from Lambeth ... could the Archbishop of Canterbury have taken a sudden interest in the postcolonial Middle Ages?) I have no idea why someone in Huntingdon, England, was seeking information on "carnivorous toads," but I'm pleased that this person actually found something relevant here.
Other searchers were no doubt disappointed in what they unearthed. I'd like to know more about the life of the internet user in Tokyo seeking information on "hyena zoophilia." Personally I have never been all that attracted to hyenas, and would like to know what all the fuss is about. Quite a few people seem to be interested in passionate relations between humans and bulls, if Google is to be believed. Only I could make that subject seem dull (check out "erotic animals" in the archive under 1/27/06).
Most puzzling of all to me, though, is the person in Pueblo Nuevo, Spain, who was researching "Middle Ages name of human meat" and "human flesh in European restaurants."
Hannibal Lecter, mon lecteur?
6 comments:
I have no idea why someone in Huntingdon, England, was seeking information on "carnivorous toads,"
Obvious: self-defense tips against this amphibious menace. And you thought cephalopods were freaky...
I didn't think they were freaky.
NOW I do.
Tonight's nightmare: turbo-powered carnivorous cephalopods (follow Karl's link for that one) in league with the randy hyenas of Tokyo attempt world domination.
I like to think that it's John Major, former MP for Huntingdon, who's looking up carnivorous toads...and he is originally from Lambeth...
If so, may John Major find the amphibians of his desires.
Of course, even Chaucer is plagued by odd searches. Here's his list, from Geoffrey Chaucer Hath A Blog:
Top X searches in myne networke:
10. John Gowere swyving a donkey
9. woolen hose
8. discounte ale
7. Kent
6. Macrobius for dummyes
5. howe to thinly veil acquaintences as fictional characteres
4. arabic numerals
3. readynge %(%(%ing chancerye hand
2. Sheene palace dynnere guest listes
1. Katharyne Swinford nude
Hehehe, I just did a search on "carnivorous toads" because I was trying to find out if any carnivorous toads really exist - I'm writing a paper on Gerald and The Journey Through Wales. And it's due in 4 hours. Glad to be part of the Strange Web Search Club!
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