Bored? Read Some Random Facts...

We all know someone who is full of useless information. Well now, you can give them a run for their money, with these random facts.

The study of bodily tissue as it changes over time from infectious disease, is called Histopathology. Speaking of long words, Dactylography is the study of fingerprints. Oh, and the fear that a duck or goose is watching you, is called anatidaephobia.

Being watched gives you a weird feeling. But you know what else is weird? Kiefer Sutherland’s full name, is Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus Sutherland. And, following the name theme for a minute, Richard Gere’s middle name, is in fact, Tiffany. One more name related fact… the colour orange, is named after the fruit… not the other way around.

Ahh writers. They have one of the toughest jobs (I’m speaking from experience here as a writer). The two best-selling authors of all time are William Shakespeare and Agatha Christie. They have sold between 2-4 billion books… each. Not fair.

Speaking of not fair, the inventor of the fire hydrant is unknown, because the devices’ original pattern was destroyed in a fire. Also, Charlie Chaplin and Dolly Parton both entered look-alike competitions of themselves… but lost. Talking of which, The Beatles lost the plot at one point. They tried to get a Lord of the Rings movie made, staring the four of them. They approached Stanley Kubrick with the idea, but he turned them down. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say: Thank you Stanley!

Boy, was that a stupid idea. Oh! Stupidity. Here’s one. Tomatoes are the official state vegetable of New Jersey… even though they are actually a fruit. And Tomato Juice is the official state beverage of Ohio. Another beverage fact - Cuba and North Korea are the only countries that do not sell Coca-Cola products.

Coca-Cola is a trademarked name. But did you know, that at one point, Aspirin, Cellophane, Escalator, Flip Phone and Trampoline were all originally trademarked too, but have since become generic terms. Generic has connotations of boring. Well, the official most boring and uneventful day of the 20th century, was 11th April, 1954.

Metallica are the only band to have performed on all seven continents… an accomplishment they achieved within a single year. Makes me sick just how easy they made that look. Which reminds me, Rabbits cannot vomit. But you might, when I tell you that Jellied Moose Nose, is a delicacy in North America.

Interested in some number facts? Well, Forty, is the only number with its letters in alphabetical order, whereas one, is the only number with its letters in reverse alphabetical order. Also, every number shares a letter with its predecessor. Dates are numbers too, yeah? Well, the least common birthday is 29th February, closely followed by 25th December.

Another number fact is this: all official Casino Poker chips weight between 8.5 and 10 grammes. Remember I mentioned writers before? Here’s a bonus fact that is about a writer AND numbers… Edgar Allan Poe was paid $9 for The Raven.

Alright, alright, this is the last number fact. But I had to include it because it makes me question everything I thought I knew about chairs (which isn’t a lot, to be honest). The most expensive chair ever sold at auction, was a leather piece, designed by the late Irish architect Eileen Grey – for approximately $28 million.

Before alarm clocks, there was a profession where someone would come and knock on your window at the time you wanted to wake up. They were called ‘knocker-uppers’. Speaking of the old days, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson were originally named Sherringford Hope and Ormond Sacker. BUT, ‘no shit Sherringford’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Loud noises make your ears ring. Like babies crying. But, did you know? New-borns don’t cry. They scream, but don’t cry. They cannot produce tears till about two weeks old. Another baby-related fact - Bats give birth upside down. They use their wings to catch their babies once they’re out.

Mind. Blown.

Blown? Explosion? Dynamite! Thought nuts were only dangerous to people with nut allergies? Well, one of the ingredients in dynamite, is peanuts.

Honey does not spoil… but being called Honey gets old REAL quick. Talking of spoiling, not to spoil a great film for you, but, The Nightmare Before Christmas, was not actually directed by Tim Burton, it was directed by Henry Selick, who went on to direct James and the Giant Peach and Coraline.

To end this piece, I leave you with three random facts -

• Ray Tomlinson is credited to be the inventor of email. He sent the very first email to himself.

• Car tyres are actually white, until car manufacturers add Carbon to the rubber.

• Dissected maps – first name for jig-saw puzzles.

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Thanks for reading, and have a great day.

Fun fact: you’re awesome!