Guatemala has been seized with mass hysteria — possibly fostered by the Guatemalan military for reasons of its own — about Americans stealing Guatemalan children for adoption or, more omniously, for organ transplants. A current urban legend tells of villagers finding a child’s body with several vital organs missing. Stuffed into the cavities were wads of U.S. dollar bills, and along with them, a note saying, “Thank you for your collaboration.” (4/2/94)

The patent for Pez candy dispensers, which allow the user to pop candies into the mouth using one hand, states that they are “not only for persons having only one hand but also persons who often have only one hand free (for example motor-vehicle drivers), or whose occupation causes their hands to become smeared with dirt.”

A make of Japanese tires was withdrawn from the market in Brunei after it was discovered that the tread design resembled a verse from the Koran (7/25/92).

In Hollywood’s early days, film crews covertly greased the streets of Los Angeles and shot footage of the car accidents that resulted, this being cheaper than staging accidents with actors (1/19/92).

Sen. Robert Dole has a schnauzer that barks only at liberals. (12/29/91)