Quirky Google: Hidden Secrets and Easter Eggs

The Google Search Engine has now been developed over a number of years. No doubt by now, there are have been thousands of programmers and developers involved in it's evolution and some have left their mark in surprising ways. Google has a number of little secret "outcomes", many of which are amusing, some pure "geek" and nearly all perfect for those of us that tend to procrastinate. I won't spoil any of the surprises or try to give too much away, I'll leave it to you to see the outcome!

If there are any of your favourites that I might of missed, please feel free to comment and share! Thanks!

Google's home page is perfect in it's simplicity but if you sometimes fancy a change from plain old "Vanilla" English, here are a few options. Either cut and paste the URL's below or type the full URL into your Browser address bar.

If you fancy your searches with a sprinkling of salt? Then why not try;

www.google.com/webhp?hl=xx-pirate

If you want to search for Wabbits, you could try;

http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=xx-elmer

Or if you want to boldly go?

http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=xx-klingon

When you suddenly lose your internet connection and you are flipped to a blank page telling you that there is no internet connection and to try a few things (see below). You might wonder why there is a little retro cartoon dinosaur on the screen. Well press the "Spacebar" and see what happens.....a little game to reduce the stress and tension whilst waiting for your internet to come back up! Just keep pressing the spacebar at each obstacle!

Some searches within Google provide you with more than just a text explanation. Many of these have been around for a few years now but if you're not familiar, they are worth a quick go!

Try typing the following into the Google Search Box and see what happens (Note: You might need to try these in the primary Search page rather than using a quick search option, if it doesn't work first time)

Tilt

askew

do a barrell roll

Z or R twice

zerg rush (As of 2022, this may no longer work, but you can still try it at https://elgoog.im/zergrush/)

Answer to life the universe and everything

Type blink html and see what happens!?

Type in Once in a Blue Moon - Google calculator will come up with the answer (apparently this is based on a calculation by British Astronomer David Harper, Google for more info)..see! pure geek!

Many of the above are direct/indirect a references to various internet "Meme's" referencing classic video games (the Barrell roll and Z or R apparently references Star Fox 64 and Zerg is a reference to Starcraft). Reader's of Douglas Adams would be familiar with the answer to the last!

Unfortunately for Star Wars fans, the - A long time ago in a galaxy far far away - appears to be retired for now, but it was an epic one!

Type ; Google in 1998 - it will transport the page back in time!

Google provides some entertaining (but some might say, practically useless!) searches! For example, the well known game of "Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon" has a useful tool within Google that by typing "Bacon Number" and a film stars name; for example -

Bacon Number Keira Knightly

This will return the famous persons "degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon and provide a brief explanation of how that number is achieved (don't be too disappointing if by typing your own name, you don't get a number)

Cha Cha Slide

Google "Cha Cha Slide" apart from displaying links to DJ Casper's 2000 hit, press on the microphone and enjoy what happens!

Not quite hidden Easter Eggs, but typing https://www.google.com/doodles/ lets you search the archive of all the historic Google Doodles, many of which are interactive. Some particular favourites (well of mine!) are 11 Aug 2017 - 44th Anniversary of the Birth of Hip Hop, in which you can be tutored on a set of decks! Or 9 June 2011, which lets you play and record a guitar, in celebration of the 96th Birthday of guitar legend Les Paul.

Google developers are obviously unsurprising tech geeks. If you search for a number of retro games, such as Pacman, Solitaire, Tic Tac Toe, Minesweeper, Zerg Rush, Play Snake, Spin a Dreidel and Atari Breakout, not only will it return the search results, but at the head of the page, it will allow you to play the searched games as well!

Although some of the Game Easter eggs may no longer work, there is a fan archive compiled at https://elgoog.im/

If you're a fan of the "Avengers" series of movies (or even if you're not!), type in "Thanos Gauntlet" into the Google search engine, the expected results should appear, but you should also notice a cartoon golden gauntlet on the right hand of the search result (see below) and see what happens!

If you're a fan of the now classic US Sitcom , then search each individual characters name and on the landing page, there will be a icon relating to each charachter, below the pictures on the far right, double click on the icon and see what happens? Ross's icon benefits from multiple clicks!!

Type in the above to reveal search results, but it will also display a pair of the iconic Ruby Red Shoes. Click on them and enjoy!

Further click on the "tornado" icon and see a secondary entertaining outcome!

Unsurprisingly, Google Search Engine isn't the only product from Google to include hidden Easter Eggs and quirks.

Android Jelly Bean 4.1

If you have a Android Smart Phone or Tablet running Android "Jelly Bean" 4.0/4.1, go to settings and Tap on the section of the screen showing "Android Version" and see what happens! Press your finger down on the screen and see what happens next!?!

*Note this may well work with different versions of Android - try it and see!

Google Earth

As well as being informative, educational and in many cases, completely time-wasting, the Google Earth Application allows you to have a bit of fun as well. Press the CTRL + A and instantly you can become "Maverick" or "Iceman" from the comfort of your chair!

Google Maps

In Walking Directions, type in "The Shire" and destination "Mordor" and see what it says.

Enjoy!!