What weird facts do you know?

[trenzafeeds]

One of the only things I like on Reddit is /r/TIL, I love all the interesting little factoids that people have to share.
I didn't actually learn this today, but I'll start:
The stereotype that pimps where lots of jewelry is actually based in fact. Criminals of various type used to do this (and still sometimes do) because cash is confiscated upon arrest, but jewelry is not, so it can be pawned from inside jail (using their criminal connections) in order to raise bail.

[CPTBadAss]

For my own convience, I made a thread to organize my mechanical keyboard "knowledge". They are all weird facts and opinions.

[Flyersfan1]

Yoda and Miss Piggy were both voiced by the same person.

[hudson0804]

12+1 = 11+2, and "twelve plus one" is an anagram of "eleven plus two."

[trenzafeeds]

Yoda and Miss Piggy were both voiced by the same person.

I can kind of hear that now that you say it... it's weird though

[Findecanor]

Yoda and Miss Piggy were both voiced by the same person.

He is also a film direction, who has directed Nicole Kidman, Eddie Murphy, Robert de Niro and Peter Dinklage, among others (all for different movies).

[rowdy]

111,111,111 * 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

[noisyturtle]

I know a lot of random facts about sea creatures because throughout college at the end of every semester they give you a teacher review form. The final question is always "Is there anything you would like to add?" to which I would invariably write something like:

Did you know dolphins never actually sleep? they are capable of resting each hemisphere of their brain separately, therefore never requiring actual sleep like most mammals.

Did you know there are two main types of nudibranchs (sea slugs.) Not all nudibranches are sea slugs, but all sea slugs are nudibranches. Dorid nudibranchs breathe through gills that sprout from their butts. And aeolid nudibranchs have cerata which are finger-like appendages that cover their entire back. The cerata can be a variety of shapes - thread-like, club-shaped, clustered, or branched. They have multiple functions, including breathing, digestion and defense.

Did you know sharks are covered with tiny little teeth called dermal denticles. Even though denticles are similar to scales, they are really modified teeth and are covered with a hard enamel. These structures are packed tightly together and grow with their tips facing backwards. That’s why their skin feels like sandpaper.

Did you know that when the Parrot Fish sleeps it encases itself in a bubble of it's own mucus to avoid being smelled by close-by predators.


I could go on and on, my brain is filled with 5 years of this useless ****.

[njbair]

It is generally believed that George Lucas' wife saved Star Wars by re-editing the film following George Lucas' awful original cut. She won an Academy Award for Best Editing that year.

I've heard that the New York City subway system was constructed with poor safety standards, and 16 people died during construction of the original underground system. I've also heard that even with modern technology, it would be nearly impossible to build the NYC subway system today without significant loss of life.

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

[grav3serker]

You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping. Definitely going to invest in a better bed after learning this! 

[katushkin]

The original German version of 99 Red Balloons (99 Luftballons) is an anti-war song inspired by watching balloons floating over the Berolin Wall during a Rolling Stones concert in West Berlin in 1982

[trenzafeeds]

It is generally believed that George Lucas' wife saved Star Wars by re-editing the film following George Lucas' awful original cut. She won an Academy Award for Best Editing that year.

Huh, that's funny. That's why they shouldn't have let him mess with the extended editions I guess.

[HoffmanMyster]

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

But...chlorophyll is part of the leaf, so leaves are green. That's like if I said "if we pretend that the parts of the leaf that make it red, orange, and yellow weren't there, it would have no color at all."  It's true, but does it really tell you anything?

[FranklinScudder]

Birthdays are good for you - the more you have the longer you live.

[njbair]

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

But...chlorophyll is part of the leaf, so leaves are green. That's like if I said "if we pretend that the parts of the leaf that make it red, orange, and yellow weren't there, it would have no color at all."  It's true, but does it really tell you anything?

Except that the chlorophyll is just a pigment, produced by the tree and used up to turn sunlight and CO2 into plant food. When the tree stops replenishing the chlorophyll, the leaf shows its true self.

[Incredigasmic]

Optimus Prime and Eeyore are voiced by the same guy

[absyrd]

I'm going to post all these on facebook and pretend I knew it all before. Thx.

[HoffmanMyster]

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

But...chlorophyll is part of the leaf, so leaves are green. That's like if I said "if we pretend that the parts of the leaf that make it red, orange, and yellow weren't there, it would have no color at all."  It's true, but does it really tell you anything?

Except that the chlorophyll is just a pigment, produced by the tree and used up to turn sunlight and CO2 into plant food. When the tree stops replenishing the chlorophyll, the leaf shows its true self.

But you've made the logical jump that the 'leaf' ends where the chlorophyll begins.  Isn't that sort of like saying our blood isn't part of our bodies?  And when we stop replenishing blood (we die), we show our true selves (no blood, pale complexion, etc)?  Chlorophyll is a critical part of a plant's survival (it's a huge part of what makes a plant a plant), so I have a hard time agreeing that it's not part of the plant.

[SpAmRaY]

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

But...chlorophyll is part of the leaf, so leaves are green. That's like if I said "if we pretend that the parts of the leaf that make it red, orange, and yellow weren't there, it would have no color at all."  It's true, but does it really tell you anything?

Except that the chlorophyll is just a pigment, produced by the tree and used up to turn sunlight and CO2 into plant food. When the tree stops replenishing the chlorophyll, the leaf shows its true self.

But you've made the logical jump that the 'leaf' ends where the chlorophyll begins.  Isn't that sort of like saying our blood isn't part of our bodies?  And when we stop replenishing blood (we die), we show our true selves (no blood, pale complexion, etc)?  Chlorophyll is a critical part of a plant's survival (it's a huge part of what makes a plant a plant), so I have a hard time agreeing that it's not part of the plant.

So what I get from this is that humans are actually blue and the blue man group knew this all along.

[keshley]

Led Zeppelin is so named because when they told Pete Townshend their band name was "The New Yardbirds" he told them they were going down like a lead zeppelin.

Not sure if that's weird.

Speaking of Pete Townshend, the name Pink Floyd is the joining of two artists, Pink Anderson, and Floyd Council.

[keshley]

Also also speaking of Pink Floyd, the sound in the beginning of Echoes is plucking the string between the tuning nob and the top nut.

[HoffmanMyster]

Following the music theme:

Sting got his name because he used to run around in a black and yellow striped shirt when he was a kid.  Bumble bee, sting, etc.

The Police were originally called Strontium 90, which is a radioactive isotope of Strontium.

Sting's son wanted nothing to do with music* when he was growing up, and studied environmental science in school.  He ended up being the bassist and lead singer for the band Fiction Plane.

*"Nothing to do with music" may be an exaggeration - he certainly didn't aspire to be a musician like his dad, though he likely did learn music in his youth

[njbair]

Here's one for the fall season: a tree's leaves are not actually green, but they are red, orange and yellow like we see in the fall. Only the chlorophyll covering the surface makes them appear green. When the tree stops producing chlorophyll, the leaves' true colors are exposed.

But...chlorophyll is part of the leaf, so leaves are green. That's like if I said "if we pretend that the parts of the leaf that make it red, orange, and yellow weren't there, it would have no color at all."  It's true, but does it really tell you anything?

Except that the chlorophyll is just a pigment, produced by the tree and used up to turn sunlight and CO2 into plant food. When the tree stops replenishing the chlorophyll, the leaf shows its true self.

But you've made the logical jump that the 'leaf' ends where the chlorophyll begins.  Isn't that sort of like saying our blood isn't part of our bodies?  And when we stop replenishing blood (we die), we show our true selves (no blood, pale complexion, etc)?  Chlorophyll is a critical part of a plant's survival (it's a huge part of what makes a plant a plant), so I have a hard time agreeing that it's not part of the plant.

I would say a better comparison would be the melanin which makes us tan in the sun. We all have different amounts of melanin in our skin, which is why we all have different skin tones. Our real color is not tan, which is why maintaining a tan is harder than losing one. And before anyone points it out, dark-skinned people can get a tan. I've asked my brother-in-law. He looked at me funny before patronizingly confirming that yes, black people tan, too. I told him I knew it was a stupid question but I figured it was better than asking to see him naked.

Blood gives our flesh its reddish hue, but as you mentioned, when we die that goes away and we become pasty white. Likewise, a live leaf has a colorful hue even after the chlorophyll goes away. Then once it falls to the ground and dies, that color goes away and it becomes brown.

[trenzafeeds]

Also also speaking of Pink Floyd, the sound in the beginning of Echoes is plucking the string between the tuning nob and the top nut.

That doesn't really surprise me, but it sure is interesting. I'm quite the music nerd myself.

[nubbinator]

The octopus is more closely related to Vulcans and Romulans than humans.


Not really, but like those two fictional races, it has copper based blood.

[katushkin]

I ****ing love The Police.

[njbair]

The octopus is more closely related to Vulcans and Romulans than humans.


Not really, but like those two fictional races, it has copper based blood.

Does that have anything to do with its crazy camouflage ability?

[SunPanda]

Russia has a larger surface area than Pluto

[njbair]

Russia has a larger surface area than Pluto

It's also colder and harder to get into than Pluto.

[ANightOnCloudNine]

Echidnas have 4 headed penises.

[Goranth]

Mr Feeny from Boy Meets World prefers dark turkey meat.

[noisyturtle]

In Alberta Canada it is 100% legal to rob a bank, but only with a crossbow that was manufactured prior to 1874.

[hudson0804]

Welshmen are prohibited from entering the city of Chester before the sun rises – and have to leave again before the sun goes down, according to an old by-law.

[trenzafeeds]

In Alberta Canada it is 100% legal to rob a bank, but only with a crossbow that was manufactured prior to 1874.

I'll keep that in mind. 

[darkclone24]

Welshmen are prohibited from entering the city of Chester before the sun rises – and have to leave again before the sun goes down, according to an old by-law.

It's similar to the fact you're allowed to kill a Scotsman inside York's walls, so long as it's with a bow and arrow.

Both laws are not actually in effect. Whilst they weren't repealed - they were overwritten by new laws and reclassification of old laws. Killing a Scotsman within York's walls with a bow and arrow is murder, denying a Welshman entry to Chester is a human rights violation.

Slavery comes under this as well. Until 2011, you were allowed to legally own another human being in the UK. However that person was entitled to the minimum wage, and every human right out there - you could own someone, but you couldn't actually make them do anything legally, so it was pointless.

Weird UK fact - we don't all drink tea.

[baldgye]

I ****ing love The Police.

Your right, that is a weird fact.

[keshley]

I ****ing love The Police.

Your right, that is a weird fact.

Particularly with how stalkerish they are...

[HoffmanMyster]

I ****ing love The Police.

They're my best friend's favorite group of all time, so I know a few more facts about them than I really need to.   

[ANightOnCloudNine]

We are all weak flesh.

[noisyturtle]

Humans are born with the ability to swim, and we lose it as our brains develop past infancy and have to relearn.
If you toss a baby into a pool it's bradycardic response will kick in causing the infant to hold it's breath.

[bcredbottle]

Under the Pashtunwali, a married man is not only allowed but obligated to murder his wife's lover if she makes him a cuckold.

[ANightOnCloudNine]

Humans are born with the ability to swim, and we lose it as our brains develop past infancy and have to relearn.
If you toss a baby into a pool it's bradycardic response will kick in causing the infant to hold it's breath.

I just killed my nephew, all your fault. not mine.

[trenzafeeds]

Under the Pashtunwali

Sorry what is that?

[yowaffle]

At minimum wage working a regular40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

Source: urban planner! and the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach Studies http://nlihc.org/oor

[SpAmRaY]

At minimum wage working a regular40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

Source: urban planner! and the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach Studies http://nlihc.org/oor

When I was first married we rented a house, had our first child and bought a new to us used car all while on minimum wage but that was almost 10 years ago.

[heedpantsnow]

Under the Pashtunwali

Sorry what is that?

I'm assuming tribal law of Pashtun people group, in Afghanistan/Pakistan.  Probably mixed with Muslim Sharia law.

[yowaffle]

At minimum wage working a regular40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

Source: urban planner! and the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach Studies http://nlihc.org/oor

When I was first married we rented a house, had our first child and bought a new to us used car all while on minimum wage but that was almost 10 years ago.

Ohhhh sorry I wrote that when this morning when I was running late for work and forgot to include an important part of the fact :x It should read as:
"At minimum wage working a regular 40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent without being cost burdened."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development consider paying more than 30% of your income for housing being cost burdened.

[SpAmRaY]

At minimum wage working a regular40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

Source: urban planner! and the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach Studies http://nlihc.org/oor

When I was first married we rented a house, had our first child and bought a new to us used car all while on minimum wage but that was almost 10 years ago.

Ohhhh sorry I wrote that when this morning when I was running late for work and forgot to include an important part of the fact :x It should read as:
"At minimum wage working a regular 40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent without being cost burdened."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development consider paying more than 30% of your income for housing being cost burdened.

At $8.50 x 40 x 52 = $17,680, we paid $275/month for 2 bedrooms/one bath.

[yowaffle]

At minimum wage working a regular 40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

Source: urban planner! and the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach Studies http://nlihc.org/oor

When I was first married we rented a house, had our first child and bought a new to us used car all while on minimum wage but that was almost 10 years ago.

Ohhhh sorry I wrote that when this morning when I was running late for work and forgot to include an important part of the fact :x It should read as:
"At minimum wage working a regular 40 hour week, there is no single state in the US where you can afford a one or two bedroom apartment at fair market rent without being cost burdened."

The Department of Housing and Urban Development consider paying more than 30% of your income for housing being cost burdened.

At $8.50 x 40 x 52 = $17,680, we paid $275/month for 2 bedrooms/one bath.

Congrats on not being income burdened back then! If you're interested in looking further into your situation 10 years ago, you could look for the data on what Fair Market Rent (FMR) was for a 2 bedroom apt. for your location back then. You could also learn more about my fact by checking out the link from my original post. It has the NLIHC's Out of Reach reports for the last several years as well as some fact sheets and interactive maps.

[keshley]

Cats don't meow at eachother, they only meow to communicate with us humans.