President Abraham Lincoln personally reviewed over 1,600 cases of military convictions during his 1,503 days in office and issued many pardons and commutations to soldiers who were convicted of desertion. Lincoln referred […]
The 85-characters long Maori name for a hill in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, is the longest place name found in any English speaking country. It is, Taumatawhakatangihangaoauauotameteaturipukakapikimaungah-oronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, which roughly translates as, “the […]
In Denmark, the law prohibits a person from being charged for a meal unless, in the sole opinion of the person who has eaten, he or she is “full.” As long as […]
In Milan, Italy the law requires everyone to smile at all times, unless attending a funeral or visiting the hospital. source
“A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations which require the use of his superior skill.” — Frank Borman, commander of Apollo 8, in Flying Lessons, Federal Aviation Administration, January 8, 2008
Got a craving for ice cream? Try one of these distinctive flavors from around the world: Honey Jalapeño Pickle from Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver, Colorado Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel from […]
PJ O’Rourke P.J. O’Rourke is not known for holding back when he has a strong opinion. This is how he described those who made up the administration of President Bill Clinton: “Those […]
“Her hat is a creation that will never go out of style. It will look ridiculous year after year.” — Fred Allen
“Curse the blasted, jelly-boned swines, the slimy, the belly-wriggling invertebrates, the miserable soddingrotters, the flaming sods, the sniveling, dribbling, dithering, palsied, pulse-less lot that make up England today. They’ve got white of […]
“The old woman was not only ugly with the ugliness age brings us all, but showed signs of formidable ugliness by birth – pickle-jar chin, mainsail ears and a nose like a […]
In March 2009 James Carroll Butler found that working with his co-worker, Michael Utz, was more than he could handle. Butler collected urine from the toilet and poured it into Utz’s coffee. […]
Nomophobia (short for “no mobile phone phobia”) is the constant fear of not having mobile phone service. Researchers report that more than half of the people of the United Kingdom have this […]
In the United States people customarily greet each other with a handshake. A hug is acceptable among friends and family. Other cultures say, “Hello” in ways that might surprise those who are […]
The island of Foula in the Shetland Islands of Scotland operates off of a different calendar than the rest of the United Kingdom. When Great Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 