doodle and hoob

I have the bad habit of assuming that everything from my childhood is kind of universal to all childhoods.  Since moving to the States, I’ve found myself blabbing away to completely blank stares more than I wish to admit.  Apparently, sticking maple keys on the bridge of one’s nose is not, in fact, universal (believe it or not).  And, I was surprised to find that the term “maple key” is not necessarily known (they’re also called “helicopters,” “whirligigs,” “polynoses (??),”  and, more technically, “samaras,” btw).  Huh.  While I’m at it, might I complain about Americans not really having a suitable word for “touque/toque/tuque“?  What’s that all about?

PS – I have no idea what kind of creature this is.