ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Concerned city officials considered
banning foam cups after learning that the "dangerous" chem-
ical dihydrogen monoxide was used in their production. Then
the red-faced officials learned that dihydrogen monoxide,
or H2O for short, is the scientific term for water. "It's
embarrassing," said City Manager David J. Norman. "We had
a paralegal who did bad research." The paralegal believed
information posted on an official looking Web site that
described dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless
chemical" that can be deadly if inhaled. The City Council
had planned to vote next week on a proposed law that would
have prohibited the use of foam cups at city-sponsored
events. The measure has since been pulled from the agenda

Source