After watching a duck dive or splash, it’s interesting that their feathers appear to be quite dry after immersion. Fowlologists (I just made up that word!) tell us that this is because duck feathers are coated in a special oil that repels water.

We’re all familiar with the phrase “like water off a duck’s back”, a saying which actually originated in the 1800’s, in pointing out that other folks’ negative actions shouldn’t affect us emotionally.

So next time someone says you’re stupid or a lousy driver or a bad neighbor, just imagine that you’re covered in duck oil and that insult will bounce right off.