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Thread: Strange facts

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  1. Strange facts 
    #1
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    In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
    Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'
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    Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented.
    It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'... ..
    And thus, the word GOLF entered into the English language.

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    The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone
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    Coca-Cola was originally green.

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    The cost of raising a medium-size dog
    To the age of eleven:
    £ 10,120.00

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    The first novel ever
    Written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.
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    Each king in a deck of playing cards represents
    A great king from history:
    Spades - King David

    Hearts - Charlemagne

    Clubs -Alexander, the Great

    Diamonds - Julius Caesar

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    111,111,111 x
    111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321
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    If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle.
    If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle.
    If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died
    Of natural causes
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    Q.. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'?
    A. One thousand
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    Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windscreen wipers and laser printers have in common?

    A. All were invented by women.
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    Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?

    A. Honey

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    In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
    When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened,
    Making the bed firmer to sleep on.
    Hence the phrase...'Goodnight , sleep tight'
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    It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
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    In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts....
    So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down. It's where we get the phrase: 'mind your P's and Q's'

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    Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle'
    Is the phrase inspired by this practice.

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  2. Re: Strange facts 
    #2
    Chatterbox Jon_W's Avatar
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    On the old wooden navy ships, cannon balls were carried on brass holders called "monkeys". On a very cold day the brass would contract and the cannon balls would fall off, and it was said to be "cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey"

    Hence the phrase brass monkeys.

    On old navy ships the plates that food was eaten off of were square. This was to aid storage and prevent them rolling abount in rough seas. The sailors were given two full meals a day, often called the "two square meals"


    Old electric Trams were controlled by a rotary switch with notches cut in the panel for indication. To get full power (and speed) the tram had to be run on the top notch. Trams on good condition were described as being in "Top Notch" condition.




    "there's no aspect, no facet, no moment in life that can't be improved with pizza"

     
     

  3. Re: Strange facts 
    #3
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    Just fyi the one about the statues of horses isn't true ... sorry
     
     

  4. Re: Strange facts 
    #4
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    humans and armadillos are the only things that catch leprosy!
     
     

  5. Re: Strange facts 
    #5
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    Armadillos give birth to Genetically identical young and can hold the fretilised eggs for years before becoming pregnant.
    "there's no aspect, no facet, no moment in life that can't be improved with pizza"

     
     

  6. Re: Strange facts 
    #6
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    If you like these, read 'red herrings & white elephants'!
     
     

  7. Re: Strange facts 
    #7
    Diamond Member R1chie's Avatar
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    I don't think rule of thumb and the statues/battle are totally true. I'm sure QI debunked those facts.
    Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
     
     

  8. Re: Strange facts 
    #8
    The Boss Dabz's Avatar
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    the golf one (gentlemen only ladies forbidden) isn't true either...
    http://twitter.com/WiltshireBikers
    http://www.facebook.com/WiltshireBikers
     
     

  9. Re: Strange facts 
    #9
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    Lol not going to be many left soon ;D
     
     

  10. Re: Strange facts 
    #10
    Chatterbox Jon_W's Avatar
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    We have four nostrils.....

    Two on the front of out face and two at the back of out mouth. Most of the taste sensation we get is actually smell. Thats why a strong taste can cause your nose to run!
    "there's no aspect, no facet, no moment in life that can't be improved with pizza"

     
     

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