H.L. Mencken did not hide his dislike of President Warren G. Harding. He especially loathed Harding’s mangling of the English language and called such utterings “Gamalielese”, in honor of the President’s middle […]
No Awards for Presidential Grammar
Commonplace Fun Facts
In a Democracy the People Always Get What They Deserve
“As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks […]
Adding New Meaning to “Having the Runs”
In honor of World Toilet Day (November 19, for those of you who havent yet sent out your annual World Toilet Day greeting cards), take note that the world record for running […]
Who Was the Only President to Obtain a Patent?
Abraham Lincoln holds the distinction of being the only US President to have obtained a patent.
The Jury Has Deliberated… And Deliberated… And Deliberated….
The longest U.S. jury deliberation in a civil lawsuit took place in a 1992 California trial in which a woman and her son sued the City of Long Beach for preventing the opening […]
Happy Birthday! Now Let’s Pick Out Your Casket
Yet one more reason to dread the approach of your birthday: researchers have concluded an increased risk of dying on the anniversary of your birth. Annals of Epidemiology, Volume 22, Issue 8 […]
You Mean Peter Parker Wasn’t the First Spider-Man?
Shortly before the start of the Marvel Era of comic books, Journey Into Mystery #73 published “Where will you be, when… The Spider Strikes!” In it, a common household spider was doused with radioactive rays. […]
I Hope It Comes With All the Options
The most expensive car sold at auction was a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, which sold in 2014 for $34.65 million. It is one of only 36 such cars made by Ferrari. For the […]
Bring Your Appetite — and Your Wallet
One of the priciest dining experiences in Japan is at Kitcho, a beautifully designed restaurant in Kyoto run by award-winning chef Kunio Tokuoka. The chef believes every dish that is served to […]
Boy, Have Things Ever Changed!
In 1937, Mae West made a guest appearance on the radio program “The Chase and Sanborn Show.” She appeared in two skits during the show. One was a scene with ventriloquist Edgar […]
The Luck of the Irish to Have It
The oldest known manuscript of the New Testament of the Holy Bible is housed in the Chester Beatty Library, next to Dublin Castle, in Dublin City Center. source
Spotty Childhood
Dalmatian puppies are born pure white, without spots. The spots begin to appear after birth.
Maybe He Should Have Chosen Easier Words to Remember
Harry Houdini, the famed magician and escape artist who died in 1926, left in his will 10 random words to his wife. He stated in his will that she should hold a […]
Ducking Out Before Last Wish Is Fulfilled
Derek Jarman was an artist, writer, and filmmaker. His last words: “I want the world to be filled with white fluffy duckies.”
She Was Trouble in Life And Provided for Trouble in Death
New York hotel magnate Leona Helmsley left $12 million for the upkeep of her Maltese terrier, Trouble. The will was successfully contested, however, leaving Trouble with only $2 million. The dog still […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 