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What in the world ...? Thursday, November 20, 2008

We haven't had a "What in the world ...?" quiz in awhile, so I thought it was time. The precise answer to this puzzle is something pretty unique to Portland, so you might need to do a bit of research if you're not from these parts. Leave your guesses in the comments ...

6 comments:

Jef said...

it looks like one of the public drinking fountains found downtown in Portland

AudreyLinden said...

I was going to say water fountain too. Maybe frozen?

Matthew said...

You're right ... it is a fountain (not frozen, except by the camera). But what are they called?

ajg said...

We figured it out but I guess we weren't the first. A little online research provided some interesting facts such as you aren't supposed to really use them for drinking, they are only decorative and they are known as "Benson Bubblers". Did we get it right? Is there a prize for Jef?

P&A

Matthew said...

You guys figured it out. I can understand where you may have been led to believe that they are decorative--when you Google them, the first City of Portland page is about their decorative fountains. But that's referring to the big fountains that, well, decorate the city. You may or may not want to drink from the bubblers, but that is what they are for. I'm sure the city would shut them off promptly if the water was unsafe.

Matthew said...

Oh, and no prizes, sorry ... just pride!