Commonplace Fun Facts

The Great Fire of London (1666): Strange Facts Behind the Famous Disaster

The Great Fire of London wasn’t just a disaster—it was full of odd decisions and strange moments. Here are the quirkiest facts from 1666.

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April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

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Meet Sir George Sitwell: “The Strangest Old Bugger You Ever Met”

Harold Acton said of Sir George Sitwell that he was “the strangest old bugger you ever met.” Was this an accurate description, or was Acton being unfair? Read on and judge for yourself.
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The Volcano Eruption That Was an April Fools’ Day Joke

It had been 400 years since Alaska’s Mount Edgecumbe last erupted. The long-dormant volcano towers at the southern end of Kruzof Island. The 8,000-plus residents of Sitka delight in the mountain’s majestic snow peak, while simultaneously taking for granted that there is no imminent danger from the volcano that is a mere 15 miles (24…
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Words Created by William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was unquestionably one of the greatest influencers of English literature. He was also an unequaled contributor to the English language itself. Many of the words you have used in the past 24 hours had their origin in his fertile imagination.
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Literature Professors Who Know More Than the Authors

Who hasn’t sat through a class, wondering if you knew more about the subject than the person who is teaching? Have you ever received a grade that you absolutely knew was unfair? You aren’t alone. Two of the top authors of modern times faced the same problems.
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The Practical Joke that Resulted in the First Woman Mayor

When Susana Salter’s name appeared on the ballot on April 4, 1887, it was all supposed to be a late April Fools Day gag. As it turned out, the joke was on those who pulled the prank when she won the election and became the first woman elected as mayor in the United States.
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A Posthumous Jab at a Favorite Team

Many people are lifelong sports fans. For some, their dedication is so strong that it carries on past death, including the need to get in one last dig against their favorite team.
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Celebrities Who Have Trouble Being Themselves

Actors and actresses make fortunes by being able to convince the public that they are someone else. Even for those who can master this skill, it can still be difficult to play one role: themselves.
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Pierre Brassau: the Chimpanzee Who Made a Monkey Out of Modern Art

When the paintings of Pierre Brassau were released for public viewing in 1964, the artistic community was lavish in its praise. Rolf Anderberg of the Göteborgs-Posten wrote, “Brassau paints with powerful strokes, but also with clear determination. His brush strokes twist with furious fastidiousness. Pierre is an artist who performs with the delicacy of a…
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Weird Books for Curious Collectors

Some books are like unexpected party guests: wildly inappropriate yet hard to ignore. From “I Wish Daddy Didn’t Drink So Much” to “Cooking to Kill,” the titles are a wild ride through subjects ranging from cancer to butt cracks, leaving us to wonder if the publishers were just having a laugh. Explore these weird books…
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Golf Balls, a Feather, and Bags of Poop: What Have We Left on the Moon?

If you imagine the moon as a barren landscape, completely untouched by man, you would be mistaken. Perhaps you realize that it does have a couple of manmade items, such as an American flag and an abandoned lunar rover, but assume that is pretty much the extent of it. Either way, you would be wrong.
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Mind-Controlled Spiders and Zombie Ants

The influence happens so slowly that she isn’t even aware of her loss of free will. As the invading alien inside her grows and develops, it gradually assumes more and more control, until the host is nothing more than a mindless, zombie-like shell, obeying the orders of her parasitic controller. No, this is not the…
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The World Record for the Most World Records

What must it be like to be recognized as the best in the entire world at something? There can only be one recipient of the most honorary degrees, owner of the biggest collection of belly button lint, or person dragged the furthest by a horse while on fire. Out of all of the billions of…
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Starbucks at the CIA: Customer Names Are a Grande Secret

Discover the Starbucks at the CIA — your one-stop-stop for caffeinated espionage.
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Striped Shirts: Better than Bullet-Proof Vests

In Natoma, Kansas, it is illegal to throw a knife at anyone wearing a striped shirt. Read about more stupid laws. Read fun facts about fashion.
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British Brake for Dogs, But Not Cats

Drivers in the United Kingdom whose cars collide with a dog are required to file a report with the police. If they hit a cat, no one seems to care. The law does not require any notification of a cat/car calamity.
Read more: British Brake for Dogs, But Not Cats