I hate this so much about growing cucumbers...

Sure can, I do the same.

To add to your suggestion, make sure it is reasonably clean, dry, soft brush.

ie- don't rest it on the grass or soil between pollination and rinse clean between different plant pollination.

There are male and female blooms. The female blooms need to be pollinated by the male blooms. The bees usually do this, but if you don't have any around your garden thanks to Monsanto - you can do it yourself. Just use a q-tip and swirl it gently inside the male bloom than inside the female bloom. The female blooms have tiny little baby cucumbers growing beneath them.

Many people think they little cucumber means it's been pollinated - not necessarily. They always grow on female blooms, but will only continue to grow and develop if fertilized by the males.

They have dictionaries online for free.

my cukes and zukes did not make it this year...

lol...I can't believe I wrote through instead of throw...wtf??