These 50 facts will blow your mind!
1. The national animal of Scotland is the Unicorn.
2. Catnip is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitos than DEET.
The chemical nepetalactone, found in Catnip, is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitos than DEET, the chemical found in most insect repellants.
3. “Almost” is the longest word in English to have all its letters in alphabetical order.
This one almost didn’t make the list.
4. The artificial banana flavor tastes nothing like real bananas because the synthetic variant was based on a banana wiped out by a plague in the 1950s.
The artificial flavor we know as banana resembles the fruit found on the Gros Michel trees. The trees were essentially wiped out in the 1960s. That’s when the Cavendish became prominent because of its tolerance to the fungal plague. These are the bananas we eat today.
5. The tea bag was invented by accident.
In 1908, tea merchant Thomas Sullivan distributed tea samples in silk bags. Not understanding that these were samples, customers dunked the bags in water, and Thomas was suddenly swamped by orders for his “tea bags.”
6. You are three times more likely to get a virus on your computer from visiting a religious website than a porn website.
This is likely due to porn websites having a vested interest in keeping their sites free of malware as they want visitors to return.
7. Approximately 1,000,000 dogs in the United States are listed as heirs in their owner’s wills.
People think the world of their pets and are willing to leave them everything when they die.
8. Australia has over 10,000 beaches!
You could visit a new beach every day for 27 years straight if you wanted to.
9. A proposed amendment to the U.S. constitution in 1916 would have citizens vote on all acts of war.
The Ludlow Amendment would have forced congress to put any declaration of war to a vote of the citizens unless the U.S. were attacked first.
10. The Apollo missions left 96 bags of human excrement on the moon.
NASA has shown interest in retrieving the bags of poop to examine the effects of solar radiation on living organisms in the poop.
11. A group of parrots is called a pandemonium.
This term is not as commonly used as “flock” or “company,” but it has been used to describe a group of these colorful birds in some literature and popular culture. It makes sense as the noise produced would easily cause pandemonium.
12. Ancient Romans’ lower class went on strike by leaving the city, leaving the upper class to fend for themselves.
In ancient Rome, there were occasional instances of lower-class citizens protesting against the government or the upper class by staging a “strike” or a mass exodus from the city. One famous example is the secession of the plebs in 494 BCE, during which the plebeians (the lower class) left the city and camped out on a nearby hill in protest against the patricians (the upper class).
During these protests, the lower-class citizens often withdrew their labor and refused to work or carry out their usual duties, disrupting the city’s functioning. The patricians, who relied on the labor of the lower classes for many essential services, would then be forced to negotiate and make concessions to bring the plebeians back to the city.
13. Roosters can see the Earth’s magnetic field.
An unusual fact about roosters is that they have a built-in “compass” that helps them to navigate. Researchers have found that roosters have a special protein called cryptochrome in their eyes, which allows them to detect the Earth’s magnetic field. This helps them to orient themselves and navigate accurately, especially when they are far from home or in unfamiliar territory.
Studies have shown that when the magnetic field around them is disrupted or changed, roosters can become disoriented and confused. For example, when researchers exposed roosters to a magnetic field that was artificially rotated, the birds became disoriented and started circling around as if they had lost their sense of direction.
14. Elephants use their trunks as snorkels when they swim.
Elephants are capable swimmers and can use their trunks like snorkels to breathe while swimming. They can also use their massive bodies and powerful legs to swim long distances if necessary.
Elephants have been observed swimming across rivers and lakes that are several miles wide in some cases. They are also known to use their swimming abilities to cross waterways and to access food and resources on islands or other aquatic environments.
15. Bill and Melinda Gates have given away over $45 billion since 1994.
Bill and Melinda Gates have been among the world’s most generous philanthropists. They have donated over $45 billion through their charitable organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, since its inception in 1994. The foundation focuses on addressing global health issues, reducing poverty, improving education, and promoting innovation, among other causes.
16. Seven of ten U.S. youths would not qualify for the military.
According to a 2019 report by Mission: Readiness, a national security organization of retired military leaders, seven out of ten young adults in the United States would not qualify for military service due to various factors such as physical fitness, education, and criminal history.
The report found that many young adults in the U.S. cannot meet the minimum standards for military service, which include being in good physical shape, having a high school diploma or equivalent, and having no serious criminal history. The report also noted that many potential recruits are disqualified due to health issues such as obesity, asthma, and hearing loss.
17. The secret service was initially formed to combat counterfeiting money.
The United States Secret Service was initially formed in 1865 as a federal law enforcement agency to combat the rampant counterfeiting of U.S. currency, which had become a significant problem during the Civil War and in the years that followed.
At the time, up to one-third of all currency in circulation was believed to be counterfeit, and the problem was undermining public confidence in the U.S. financial system. To address this issue, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law creating the Secret Service as a division of the Treasury Department to investigate and prosecute counterfeiting cases.
Over time, the Secret Service’s responsibilities expanded to include other areas of law enforcement, such as protecting the President and other high-level officials and investigating financial crimes such as credit card fraud and cybercrime. Today, the Secret Service is a multi-faceted agency with a wide range of national security, law enforcement, and criminal investigation responsibilities.
18. Brown spots in older books is known as Foxing.
It happens when the (F)errous (Ox)ide or Iron in the paper is exposed to humidity.
19. The United State’s longest-standing unbroken treaty is with Morocco.
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship lasted over 230 years, making it the oldest unbroken treaty in U.S. history. The treaty has been renewed several times, most recently in 2019. Today, the United States and Morocco maintain a strong relationship based on shared interests in security, trade, and cultural exchange.
20. As much as 80% of Hong Kong’s toilets are flushed with seawater.
Due to its location and limited freshwater resources, Hong Kong has long relied on seawater for various purposes, including toilet flushing. Seawater flushing systems use seawater instead of freshwater to flush toilets, which can help conserve freshwater resources and reduce water usage.
21. Charles Dickens’s novels were so popular when they first came out that illiterate people would pay someone to read them out loud.
In the 19th century, when Dickens was writing, literacy rates were lower than they are today, particularly among the working class. Dickens’s books were serialized in newspapers and magazines, which made them more accessible to the general public, but many people still struggled with reading and comprehension.
To address this, “readers for hire” became a common profession in the mid-19th century. These readers would travel to different locations, such as pubs or people’s homes, and read books out loud to groups of people who had paid to hear them. Dickens’s novels were particularly popular for this purpose, as they were engaging and often dealt with social issues that were relevant to the working class.
22. The more money couples spend on their weddings, the more likely they are to get a divorce.
Some studies have suggested that couples spending more on their weddings may focus more on the wedding day than building a solid and lasting relationship. These studies have found a correlation between high wedding expenses and an increased likelihood of divorce. However, other studies have found no correlation. So take this one with a grain of salt. The relationship between wedding expenses and divorce rates is more complicated than a simple cause-and-effect relationship.
23. Zebras are black with white stripes.
Zebras actually have a base coat of black skin underneath a coat of white or cream-colored hair, and their stripes are caused by the pigment melanin.
Scientists are still studying the precise mechanisms by which zebras develop their stripes, but it is believed that the stripes are formed through a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences. The stripes themselves are made up of individual hairs that are pigmented differently depending on their position on the zebra’s body.
24. The Microraptor is the smallest dinosaur ever discovered. It was 16 inches long.
The Microraptor is a genus of small, feathered dinosaurs that lived during the early Cretaceous period, around 120 million years ago. They were approximately the size of a crow, with a length of about 2 feet from head to tail.
Microraptors were unusual among dinosaurs in that they had feathers on all four of their limbs, as well as on their tails. This suggests they could glide through the air, using their feathered wings to control their descent. They were also carnivorous and likely hunted small animals such as lizards and insects.
25. “Sombrero” is a generic Spanish word for “Hat.”
It is a generic term that can refer to any hat. Still, in widespread usage, the sombrero is often associated with a specific type of broad-brimmed hat commonly worn in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America.
The sombrero is typically made of straw or felt and features a wide brim that provides shade from the sun. It is often decorated with colorful embroidery or other embellishments and may be worn as part of traditional costumes for festivals and other special occasions.
26. The United States has more millionaires than Sweden has people.
According to a report by Credit Suisse, the United States had the highest number of millionaires in the world in 2021, with over 20 million individuals having a net worth of at least one million US dollars. This represents about 60% of the world’s total millionaire population.
In comparison, the population of Sweden as of 2022 is approximately 10.4 million people, according to the World Bank. This means that the number of millionaires in the United States is more than twice the population of Sweden.
27. Babies see everything in black and white after being born.
This is only partially accurate. While it is true that newborn babies have limited visual acuity and cannot see colors as vividly as adults, they are not actually “seeing in black and white.” Instead, newborns have immature color vision that is still developing and takes time to mature fully.
Newborns can see objects and shapes from a very early age. Still, their visual acuity is generally limited to about 8-12 inches, the distance between their eyes and their mother’s face while nursing. In addition, newborns prefer high-contrast patterns, such as black and white stripes or simple geometric shapes, which are easier to distinguish than more complex patterns.
As babies develop and their visual system matures, they perceive colors with increasing clarity and can distinguish between different hues. By around 3-4 months, most babies have fully developed color vision similar to that of adults.
28. Dolph Lundgren, of the Rocky movies, has an IQ of 160.
According to various sources, including interviews with Lundgren, he reportedly has an IQ of around 160, considered to be in the “genius” range.
Lundgren is perhaps best known for his role as the imposing Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in the 1985 film “Rocky IV.” He has also appeared in numerous other movies and television shows and worked as a director and producer.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Lundgren has also pursued academic interests. He holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney in Australia and a degree in chemistry from Washington State University. He has also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Stockholm in Sweden.
29. Mountain Dew was originally a slang term for moonshine.
The term was used in the Appalachian region of the United States to refer to homemade, high-proof alcohol distilled in secret by local residents. The name “Mountain Dew” was said to have been inspired by the practice of distilling moonshine under the moon’s light, which cast a glow on the mountain dew as it dripped from the still.
The term “Mountain Dew” was later adopted as the name of a popular citrus-flavored soft drink first introduced in the 1940s. According to legend, the glass was created by two Tennessee beverage bottlers looking to diversify their product line. They reportedly developed the original Mountain Dew recipe as a mixer for whiskey, but the drink soon became popular and evolved into a standalone brand.
30. Sperm whale puke known as Ambergris, is used in many perfumes due to its pleasant smell.
Ambergris is a substance produced by sperm whales due to the digestion of their food. It is believed to be formed in the whale’s intestines and is usually expelled from the body through the mouth or anus.
Ambergris has a unique and complex scent described as sweet, earthy, and musky. It has been highly prized for centuries as an ingredient in perfumes and fragrances and was particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries when it was used to scent gloves, soaps, and other luxury goods.
While the use of ambergris in perfumes is controversial due to its origins, many perfume companies continue to use it today. However, synthetic substitutes are often used instead due to the high cost and rarity of natural ambergris.
Harvesting ambergris is illegal in many countries, including the United States, where the sperm whale is protected under the Endangered Species Act. As such, the use of ambergris in perfumes and other products is strictly regulated. Many companies now use synthetic alternatives to avoid contributing to the exploitation of endangered animals.
31. Fortune Cookies are an American invention.
The exact origins of fortune cookies are unclear, but they are believed to have been invented in California in the early 20th century. There are several stories about how they were created. Still, one popular theory is that they were inspired by Japanese senbei crackers made and sold by Japanese immigrants in California.
The first fortune cookies were simple, flat cookies made from flour, sugar, and oil, with a slip of paper inside containing a fortune or a piece of advice. Over time, the cookies became more elaborate, taking on their familiar curved shape and often dipped in chocolate or decorated with sprinkles or other toppings.
Fortune cookies quickly became associated with Chinese restaurants in the United States, and they are now a staple of American Chinese cuisine. While not commonly found in China, they have become a famous symbol of Chinese culture and are often included in celebrations and festivals in the United States and other countries.
32. Greenland sharks can live up to 500 years.
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is one of the longest-living vertebrate species known to science. Researchers have estimated that these sharks can live for up to 400 years and possibly as long as 500 years.
Greenland sharks are slow-growing and late-maturing, with females not reaching sexual maturity until they are around 150 years old. They are found in the cold, deep waters of the Arctic, and North Atlantic oceans and are known for their scavenging behavior and ability to tolerate extreme cold and low oxygen levels.
33. A female gladiator was called a gladiatrix.
While the exact number of female gladiators in ancient Rome is unknown, there is evidence that they existed and were often celebrated for their bravery and skill. Female gladiators fought in various styles, including armed combat with swords, spears, and unarmed combat.
The idea of female gladiators has been popularized in modern culture through movies, TV shows, and other media. Still, historians continue to debate the extent to which they were a common or accepted part of ancient Roman society. Nonetheless, “gladiatrix” is still used today to refer to female fighters in combat sports or other contexts.
34. Peanuts are not nuts; they are classified as legumes.
Despite their name, peanuts are not nuts but are classified as a type of legume. Specifically, they are the seeds of the peanut plant, a legume family member, along with beans, lentils, and peas.
The peanut plant produces a yellow or white flower that eventually develops into a “peg,” which grows downward and finally burrows into the ground, where the peanut pod forms and matures. The mature peanut pod contains one to four peanut seeds, which can be roasted, boiled, or otherwise prepared for consumption.
35. OMG was first used in 1917 in a letter to Winston Churchill.
36. The space between your eye brows is called the “glabella.”
The glabella is the skin area on the forehead between the eyebrows and just above the nose. It is sometimes called the “brow ridge” or “super ciliary arch.”
The glabella is a distinctive feature of the human skull, and it is believed to have evolved due to changes in the shape and size of the brain throughout human evolution. In some cultures, the glabella is also considered an essential feature for aesthetic or spiritual reasons. It may be decorated or modified for cultural or religious purposes.
37. Alexander the Great was buried alive.
38. The shortest war in history was 38 minutes long.
The British Empire and the Zanzibar Sultanate fought the Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896. The British issued an ultimatum to the Sultan to step down from power, but he refused. As a result, the British launched a naval bombardment that destroyed the Sultan’s palace and killed over 500 people. The Sultan surrendered 38 minutes later, making it the shortest recorded war.
39. Tug of war used to be an Olympic sport.
Tug of war was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920. During that time, the event was open to both men’s and women’s teams, and teams from various countries contested it.
The Olympic tug-of-war rules were similar to the traditional game, in which two teams of eight athletes each compete to pull a rope over a distance of 11 meters. The winning team was the one that managed to pull the rope a specified distance or that managed to pull their opponents across a marked line on the ground.
40. The strongest muscle in the body is in the jaw.
The strongest muscle in the human body is the masseter muscle, located in the jaw and responsible for closing the jaw during chewing and biting.
The masseter muscle is one of the most powerful muscles in the body, capable of exerting tremendous force. This muscle is necessary for chewing and biting and is highly developed in many animals, including humans.
41. Crocodiles cannot stick out their tongue.
A crocodile’s tongue is attached to the bottom of its mouth by a membrane, making it impossible for them to protrude outside its mouth like most other animals. Instead, their tongues remain hidden inside their mouth and are used primarily for moving food down their throat.
42. It’s impossible to lick your elbow.
Most people can’t lick their elbows due to human anatomy. The human arm isn’t long enough to reach the elbow with the tongue. However, some people with exceptionally highly flexible joints can accomplish this feat. Nevertheless, for the majority of people, it is a physical impossibility. Try it for yourself.
43. Rhythms is the longest English word without a vowel.
Although the ‘Y’ in Rhythms is considered a vowel in this sense, rhythms are still the longest word that doesn’t use the traditional ‘AEIOU’ vowels.
44. Honey is the only food that won’t spoil.
Honey is a natural preservative due to its low water and high sugar content, inhibiting microorganisms’ growth. While it may crystallize over time and change in texture and flavor, properly stored honey can remain edible for a very long time, possibly even decades or centuries.
However, honey can spoil if it contains too much moisture, is exposed to air or light, or is contaminated with bacteria or spores, so store it in a cool, dry, and dark place and using clean utensils when handling it. Therefore, while honey has a very long shelf life, it is inaccurate to say that it never spoils.
45. Longest wedding veil ever was pretty long.
The longest wedding veil ever recorded was longer than 63 football fields put together. It measured 22,843 feet and was worn by a bride in Cyprus in 2018.
46. Wearing headphones for just one hour will increase the bacteria in your ear.
Wearing headphones can increase the moisture and warmth in your ear canal, creating a more favorable environment for bacteria to grow. However, the actual increase in bacteria will depend on various factors, such as the cleanliness of the headphones and the individual’s hygiene habits.
47. The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.
German chemist Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner invented the first cigarette lighter in 1823. He called it the Dobereiner’s Lamp and used hydrogen gas to ignite a flame. The modern cigarette lighter, which uses flint and fuel, was invented in the 1930s. English chemist John Walker created the first friction match in 1826, three years after Dobereiner’s invention.
48. Earth contains enough gold to cover its surface.
49. German Chocolate cake was not invented in Germany or Texas.
Samuel German developed dark-baking chocolate in 1852 while working for Baker’s Chocolate Company in Massachusetts. In 1957, a homemaker created a recipe for “German Chocolate Cake” using German Chocolate and published it in a Dallas newspaper. The recipe gained popularity, and people started calling it “German Chocolate Cake,” even though it had no connection to Germany.
50. The main ingredient in household dust is skin cells.
The main component of household dust is dead skin cells, other materials such as fibers from clothing, bedding, and carpets, and dirt, pollen, and other particles brought in from the outside.
That’s it for this list. Did you learn anything new? If so, let me know by commenting or rating this post below.
