What do coffee, crypts, bones, and friars have in common? No, they aren’t the ingredients for a misguided Halloween party theme. They are, instead, the basis for what may be one of […]
Coffee, Crypts, Bones, and Friars — the Origin of the Cappuccino
Why You Don’t Remember the Amazing Contributions of H.A. Largelamb
What do you know about the fantastic accomplishments of H.A. Largelamb? Don’t be so quick to say you never heard of him. Although you might not immediately recognize his name, you almost […]
What Can You Expect With a Name Like Millard Fillmore?
Some people seem destined for greatness on the basis of their names, alone. Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, for example, may have achieved success as secretary of the interior and associate justice of […]
Contemplate the Variegated Cancerous Concoctions of the Asphyxiating Snare in the Escalating Venality of a 19-Year-Long Court Case
Charles Dickens’ novel Bleak House introduced the world to the never-ending legal saga of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. In Dickens’ uniquely-descriptive words: Jarndyce and Jarndyce drones on. This scarecrow of a suit has, […]
Who’s On First — The Greatest Comedy Routine in History
It was 1938. Very little about that year was generating laughter. The Great Depression continued to hold the world’s economy in its grip. War clouds were building in Europe, Asia, and Africa. […]
When the United States Takes on The Snake, the Nutcracker, Joey the Clown, and Fat Tony
It’s rare when we hear laughter emerge from behind the doors of the Commonplace Fun Facts Legal Department. The usual sound of wailing and the gnashing of teeth is generally more than […]
Australia’s Name-Changing Tallest Mountain
If you stand on the summit of Mount Kosciusko, you have made it to the peak of Australia’s highest mountain. You share that achievement Pawel Edmund Strzelecki, the first Westerner to reach […]
What Do You Call the Piece of Paper That Sticks Out of a Hershey’s Kiss?
We are always looking for quirky, interesting facts that can be expressed in just a few words. These are handy to throw into the publication rotation to help compensate for those articles […]
Improve Your Memory With These Helpful Mnemonics
Who hasn’t wished to have a better memory? Whether you struggle with recalling the names of people whom you just met, have difficulty with how many “c”s and “m”s to include in […]
It Took One-Fourth of the U.S. Army to Capture Geronimo
The most feared Native American leader of the 19th century was a yawning man. At least, that’s what his name meant. Born on June 16, 1829, in what is now Turkey Creek, […]
When Does the Winner of the Election Become the President-elect?
The title “President-elect” is not found in the U.S. Constitution. It is a designation given to the person who has officially been elected to office but has not yet assumed the office. […]
Absaroka — the State that Never Was
Talk of secession was in the air. No, it wasn’t slavery in the days leading up to the Civil War, and the movement wasn’t fueled with weapons and rebellion. This time, secessionists […]
The Pepper and the Friendship that Endured Beyond War
George was cold. Actually, “cold” doesn’t begin to describe it. He was freezing. He was learning the hard way that although the desert is famously hot during the day, the nighttime conditions […]
How the Wilhelm Scream Became One of Hollywood’s Biggest Easter Eggs
Certain lines from movies are so iconic that they are immediately recognized. “I am your father!” is instantly associated with James Earl Jones’ powerful portrayal of Darth Vader. Who can read the […]
Cut Loose of the Misuse of the Mispronounced Name of Dr. Seuss
Theodor Geisel is known around the world by his pen name Dr. Seuss. The author and illustrator of more than 60 children’s books such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 