How to Recognize a Logical Fallacy – Part 2
Is it Kitty-Corner or Catty-Corner?
Suppose a friend asks you for directions to the nearest coffee shop. Your friend knows how to get to the grocery store on the corner of Main Street and Oak Avenue. You […]
Why Hanson Gregory is Remembered for Inventing Nothing
When you get to the end of your days, the last thing you want to hear is the solemn proclamation that you were responsible for nothing. You would likely defend yourself against […]
The Ancient Egyptian Job That Earned Hatred If Done Right
Anyone who has ever watched a movie that features a mummy knows that running away from the mummy is what people invariably do. That’s how it is in science fiction, anyway. It […]
Wigging Out on British Legal Customs
If you enjoy watching television programs that deal with the law, you have a good idea of what a courtroom looks like. It’s relatively easy to spot the lawyers, due to their […]
North Carolina Prohibits Attending a Meeting in Costume
Let’s face it — meetings can be tedious. Anything that can introduce a measure of entertainment or levity is generally welcome. Consider the most tedious meeting that you have attended in the […]
Ablaut Reduplication: The English Language Rule You Didn’t Know You Knew
Want to hear about this great new dessert we’ve invented? It’s a chocolate snack cake covered in chocolate and filled with whipped cream. We call it a Dong Ding. The mascots for […]
Why Do Prices Always End With 99 Cents?
Being the intelligent, observant, and contemplative person that makes you a reader of Commonplace Fun Facts, you have undoubtedly noticed something about prices. They always seem to end with 99 cents. It’s […]
Human Memory Began on Thursday, July 6, 1189
“Time immemorial.” That’s the term we use to describe anything that has been around for so long that no one knows when it started. It is older than human memory. It refers […]
How to Recognize a Logical Fallacy — Part 1
Reasoned, civil discourse is increasingly a thing of the past. Rather than analyze disagreements through some rational filter, social media seems to encourage the debate strategy of screaming loud enough to drown […]
Learn the Benjamin Franklin Method For Success
Few people have been more successful or better remembered than Benjamin Franklin. During his long life, he made an impact on almost every area of human endeavor. Political science, literature, technology, diplomacy, […]
The International Organization That Makes The Pieces Fit Together
The most amazing coincidence happened to us the other day. Our mechanical pencil ran out of lead. Fortunately, our interns are always grateful for a chance to emerge from the basement and […]
Was Elizabeth I Poisoned By Her Makeup?
”If looks could kill…” No, we’re not talking about the imperious glare for which Queen Elizabeth I was feared. The killing looks in this case refer to the appearance of Her Majesty. […]
Why Butter is Shaped Differently Around the USA
Everyone knows there is a difference between the western and eastern halves of the United States. The weather, culture, cost of living, and political preferences are so stark that it is almost […]
Remembering the Origins of Mother’s Day
As we enter into Mother’s Day weekend in the United States, we present this article from Waxing Poet, regarding the origins of this special day. Give thanks this day for your mother. […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 