It wasn't in the show, but mumps is one of the few common diseases that still needs an extended quarantine, and I wanted a reason for Lois to be in Washington and doing the job of the Planet's usual reporter.
Yes, I thought it was funny, though, because it's so rare these days - but mostly because it's so rare in adults. And it can have implications for males that aren't so pleasant. (It can make them sterile.)
First American vegetable name that popped into my head, Meet Sam Wayne is probably why.
American, huh? Maybe so, but I'm clueless as to what one looks like... My understanding is that it's something like a turnip.
