the buzz log

Here's what you need to ensnare a leprechaun: an empty shoebox, some green tissues, a liberal dose of four-leaf clover stickers, a handful of pennies or chocolate coins, and a wee little ladder. Assemble these according to directions (note that experts differ here on the exact technique). Angle the get-up someplace off in the yard. And wait.

The emerald-clad elves should be especially wary in these final days leading up to St. Patrick's. Over the past week, queries for "leprechaun trap" surged 1,300%, leaping willfully into our top movers for the week. Searchers stalking the mischievous shoemaker-sprites sent "how to build a leprechaun trap" shimmying upwards and boosted investigative queries for "leprechaun pictures." Tiny little man, check. Reddish beard, check. Green suit, check. That must be him.

The bulk of the searches for leprechaun traps come from two groups: searchers beneath the age of 13 and those between the years of 35-44. Isn't it nice to see families united with a purpose? As for what the merry stalkers get out of trapping a tiny Irish imp with a big Irish attitude, we turn to another query clattering upwards in Buzz this week: "leprechaun pot of gold."