Once upon a time, there was a reindeer. It was a very special reindeer because part of its body glowed brightly in the night. If it weren’t for that unnatural light source, […]
Finland’s Reflecting Reindeer Plan … And How It Turned Out
Does Finland Really Exist?
You’ve heard the conspiracy theories about Area 51, that Paul McCartney died in 1967, and that “conspiracy theories” are just a big conspiracy. Did you know that every time you looked at […]
How Disney Made Us Believe Lemmings Commit Mass Suicide
In this uncertain world, there are at least three things on which all of us can be certain: Disney loves animals, nature documentaries are reliable, and lemmings commit mass suicide by throwing […]
Eukonkanto — the Sport of Wife Carrying
Some say that behind every successful man, you will find a successful woman. Commonplace Fun Facts rejects this sexist notion. In the spirit of equality, we affirm that it is far more […]
Dip Your Frog to Keep Your Milk Fresh
We are beginning to believe frogs may be the true superheroes of the natural world. We have previously documented their amazing powers of levitation, and times when it literally rained frogs on […]
How Sweden’s King Experimented on Prisoners With Coffee
Coffee seems to have had a love/hate relationship with royalty. For centuries, many people viewed the caffeinated beverage with suspicion. Around the year 1600, many in Roman Catholic circles viewed coffee as […]
Some Cheesy Facts About Cheese
Who doesn’t like cheese? With all of the different kinds of the tasty food item and the infinite variety of uses in cuisine, cheese is an indispensable staple in the kitchens of […]
How Much Do You Know About Santa Claus?
One of the most recognized people in the world is that jolly, old elf, Santa Claus. Everything about him — his beard, hat, coat, belly, and even his distinctive laugh — immediately […]
Piercing the Penguin Poop Projectile Predicament
If we at Commonplace ever find ourselves at a loss for something to write about, the Ig Nobel prizes are sure to be a goldmine of inspiration. One of the 2005 laureates […]
The Crazy Story of the Finnish Soldier Who O.D.’d on Speed, Stepped On a Mine, Skied 250 Miles, and Outmaneuvered the Soviet Army
Aimo Koivunen needed some help. As a soldier and proud citizen of Finland, he was committed to serving his homeland, but when faced with the overwhelming might of the Soviet enemy, there […]
Do You Know Which Day is Leap Day?
Every four years we get to experience the phenomenon known as Leap Year. One additional day is added to the calendar to account for the fact that it takes about 365.25 days […]
Some Timely Facts About Time Zones
Time zones are relatively new phenomena in world history. Prior to the late 19th century, the authoritative source for the official time of day was the town clock. At noon each day, […]
Steamy Facts About Finnish Fun
Although there are some who believe Finland doesn’t really exist, for those who actually go there, they will discover some steamy relief from the country’s cold winters. Within Finland’s borders, there are […]
Dressing for Academic Success — The Finnish Way
You might think a diploma would be the main thing a graduate would receive. In Finland, however, at least for those who earn a Ph.D., there are two other important mementos of […]
Does the Thought of Cricket Bread Bug You?
Does the thought of cricket bread bug you? #crickets #food #Finland #funfacts
Commonplace Fun Facts 