Though Google has aggressively risen to the top as the number one search engine in the world, it hasn’t lost its sense of humor. Maybe that’s why Google stays at the top of Fortune Magazine’s “Best Companies to Work For” list — either that or their celebrated cafeteria. Whatever the reason, internet searchers worldwide continue to be surprised, delighted, and made to LOL at Google’s playful and inventive search tricks and gags. Here are some of the best “Easter Egg” search queries to date:
Askew
Type the word “askew” into the Google search bar and learn the definition of the word in a new, effectively visual way that you’ll have to crook your neck to understand.
Recursion
Any philosophy major — or just general nerd — will know that recursion refers to any process that repeats itself, usually to an infinite degree. If you’ve ever stood between two mirrors that face each other and have seen the illusory hallway that appears in both mirrors, apparently extending out in either direction forever, you have seen recursion. Type “recursion” in Google’s search bar, and something similar will happen, sans the infinite hallway.
Do a Barrel Roll
Popular culture has made this phrase from the 1993 SNES game Star Fox legendary. Google “do a barrel roll” and watch your screen pay homage to Nintendo and internet culture.
Flight Simulator
And speaking of barrel rolls, if you have Google Earth installed on your computer, click on the “Tools” tab, and then click “Enter Flight Simulator.” Aviation enthusiasts, along with anyone who’s ever dreamed of flying, will be amazed as Google Earth puts you in the pilot seat in a plane that can fly around the globe and not use a single drop of gas.
Ninja
The next time you’re in Google Reader, push your cursor keys in this sequence: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A — and prepare for a sneak attack!