spinnetrouble@sh.itjust.workscake to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 3 months agoRudesh.itjust.worksimagemessage-square30fedilinkarrow-up1665arrow-down10
arrow-up1665arrow-down1imageRudesh.itjust.worksspinnetrouble@sh.itjust.workscake to Science Memes@mander.xyzEnglish · 3 months agomessage-square30fedilink
minus-squareQuetzalcutlass@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up17·3 months agoHence the idiom “canary in a coal mine” for early detection of a failure. Miners used to carry a caged bird with them to detect pockets of deadly gasses. If the canary suddenly drops dead, it’s time to get the hell out.
minus-squareKevin@programming.devlinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up5·3 months agoMy favourite tidbit about them is how there were dedicated devices to bring them back from the brink of unconsciousness: https://museumcrush.org/this-device-was-used-to-resuscitate-canaries-in-coal-mines/
minus-squareWhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.worldcakelinkfedilinkEnglisharrow-up7·3 months ago“This canary died of natural causes.”
Hence the idiom “canary in a coal mine” for early detection of a failure. Miners used to carry a caged bird with them to detect pockets of deadly gasses. If the canary suddenly drops dead, it’s time to get the hell out.
My favourite tidbit about them is how there were dedicated devices to bring them back from the brink of unconsciousness: https://museumcrush.org/this-device-was-used-to-resuscitate-canaries-in-coal-mines/
“This canary died of natural causes.”