Sideswipe: July 30: 3D brushing

Take teeth cleaning to a new level.

"Throw away your old 2D toothbrush!" exclaims Gareth. "The new revolutionary 3D toothbrush is here! With 50 per cent more dimensions there'll be no more time wasted cleaning that extra dimension of your teeth, and at this hot price it's only 50 times more expensive than a regular 2D toothbrush."

Eatery so amazing it doesn't exist

TripAdvisor has come under fire for failing to spot a non-existent business becoming one of the most highly-rated restaurants in a popular seaside town. Oscar's in Brixham, Devon, first appeared on the website in May, and after receiving a string of glowing reviews climbed above 37 other establishments in the rankings. It was praised for its "mind-blowing", "simply divine" "perfect" and "amazing" culinary creations that "bordered on sorcery", with some even suggesting it ought to be awarded a Michelin star. In response to criticism from hoteliers and restaurateurs, who claim that many of the site's anonymous reviews are either fake or defamatory, TripAdvisor launched a crackdown. (Source: Telegraph.co.uk)

Fishy tale from Greece

An American holidaymaker has told how he caught and ate an octopus on holiday, only to discover it was only the second six-legged specimen ever found. Mechanical engineer Labros Hydras, 49, from Washington DC, pulled the freak creature, dubbed a hexapus, from the sea as he went snorkelling in Greece. He followed local tradition by smashing it against a rock to kill it and then took it to a nearby taverna to cook. The chef refused to cook it for him because it was so rare and told Labros he should have let the octopus live. But the hungry father-of-two went and fried it for his supper anyway and served it up with a slice of tomato, lemon and a solitary salad leaf. After finishing it off he decided to check out what the chef had said - and felt sick when he realised what he had done. He said: "It tasted just like a normal octopus but now I feel really bad ... ."

Everyday sexism

The new app based on the popular fitness app Nenshou! - where anime girls cheer you on in your weight training - has made a version for girls. While the app for males uses encouragement and compliments to reach fitness goals, the app for girls thinks insults will provide the motivation. Described as a "romance fitness adventure app", three male anime characters, one of which you are romantically involved with, will call you fatty. (Source: Rocket News)

What the kids are wearing:

A reader comments: "... it really grates me when teenage girls walk around in puffer jackets, scarves, long socks and shoes... and short shorts... um, love, if you are cold, here's a novel idea ... PUT SOME PANTS ON!!! Gah!"
A short-wearer replies: "As a recently-turned 20 year old, I can say that my upper body tends to feel the cold more than my lower half. If I wear shorts and a jumper, I'm fine. But if it were the other way around, it's too cold. It's quite comfortable, more so than wearing long trou and a short sleeved shirt. Same deal with dresses and jackets; the jacket keeps my shoulders warm, so the rest of me is fine in shorter/thinner clothing. It's not really fair to impose your ideals on teenaged girls, just because you're cold looking at them. Let them wear what they like, it's their own fault if they're chilly or catch a cold from their clothing or lack thereof.

Quick clip: That's not a good omen...

On Twitter: 1) Climate change: the awful truth...
2) Twitter says: "We have found the reported account is currently not in violation of the Twitter Rules at this time"
3) How grapes are made...

Video: At last someone has invented a computer for women...

Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz