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Blarney is a noun defined as flattering or wheedling talk; cajolery or deceptive or misleading talk; nonsense; hooey. It is used to recognize someone else’s nonsense such as excuses, lies, or misdirection. In a phrase such as “I think you’re full of blarney” the speaker is using a metaphor to question the ideas being communicated and recognizing the eloquent speech in a light and laughable phrase.

Blarney originates from Blarney Castle in Ireland, constructed 1446, where the stone of eloquence is built into the battlements and known as the Blarney Stone. According to legend, if a person kisses the stone they are granted the power of eloquence. The stone has several theorized histories including the Stone of Ezel, an oracular throne, or the Stone of Destiny known for its prophetic power of royal succession.

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Arte Johnson (1929-2019) was an actor and comedian known for playing multiple characters on the television show “Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.” The show ran for 6 seasons in the 1960s. One of Johnson's most iconic characters was Wolfgang Busch, a German soldier who would watch skits through the bushes and then comment “very interesting, but stupid” at the end. Capitalizing on the popularity of the Wolfgang Busch skits, Johnson later recorded a song called “Very Interesting” accompanied by fellow Laugh-In cast member Ruth Buzzi. 

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A “tall story” is an idiom (a figurative expression) that is exaggerated and not plausible.

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Love is an intense affection for another person.

1960s era fonts were often used in slogans which promoted peace and love rather than war. The war between the USA and Vietnam went from Nov 1, 1955 to Apr 30, 1975.

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The billiken (pictured here smiling and waving a hat) is not a figure from native Alaskan myth, and likely dates only as far back as the early 1900s. Florence Pretz, an art teacher in Missouri, patented the design and sold it to the Billiken Company of Chicago in 1909. The creature, which she had not named, took its name from the company and took the country by storm. The supposedly lucky dolls and statuettes were a brief fad in most places, but the billiken is still the mascot of Saint Louis University and a popular knickknack for travelers to Alaska. It is difficult to trace exactly when the billiken arrived in Alaska, or how it became incorporated into indigenous ivory crafts, but it has become an iconic souvenir.

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Tidal Wave was a shuttle loop type of roller coaster that premiered at Marriott’s Great America amusement parks (located in Santa Clara, California and Gurnee, Illinois) in 1977 and 1978.  The ride would continue to operate until 1991 in Illinois and 2002 in California.

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Founded in 1909 by the State Building Trades Council, the Union Orphanage in San Lorenzo, California was a home for children with ties to the emerging California construction industry. By 1910, there were 27 children in the home - 14 males and 13 females living in three cottages with six paid employees. Unlike other California orphanages at the time, the Union Orphanage accepted children of color and children of different religions. Similar to other orphanages during this time period, children living at the Union Orphanage had relatives and friends whose families could not afford to support them.

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Silent Night is a carol traditionally sung by Christians for the Christmas holiday, which celebrates the birth of messianic figure Jesus Christ.