If everyone is laughing, that’s usually a sign that things are going well. Not so in the case of a peculiar and unexplained phenomenon that hit Eastern Africa in the 1960s. Plenty […]
The Not-So-Funny Tale of the Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic
What Was the First Thing Sold on eBay?
One of the most successful internet businesses in history is eBay. Started in 1995, the online auction site has grown to over 187 million users, 1.7 billion listings, facilitated over $100 billion […]
This Is One Sandbox You Won’t Want to Play In
Few things can seem more suited for children than a sandbox. It is a place of safety, creativity, and playfulness. For that reason, if you have young children, you might be inclined […]
The Weird, Wonderful, Wacky, and Whimsical Writings of Sir Thomas Urquhart
Certain historical figures are worth studying for the sheer entertainment value. Near the top of that list would be Sir Thomas Urquhart, the Scottish author of the 17th century. What can we […]
The Quaint and Curious Book “Unlikely Stories, Mostly”
The entertaining (and downright weird) book Unlikely Stories, Mostly by Alasdair Gray becomes entertaining — and downright weird — before the reader gets to the first story. When it was released in […]
Mixed Scottish Feeling About Global Warming
How Wile E. Coyote Could Finally Catch Road Runner
Those of us who grew up watching Looney Tunes know that Wile E. Coyote is perpetually frustrated in his efforts to catch his speedy nemesis, Road Runner. Despite his many efforts to […]
On July 27 Take Your Pants For a Walk
Getting up and taking a walk is one of the best ways to improve your health. It burns calories, sharpens the mind, and strengthens bones. When walking, it is generally a good […]
Trust, Decency, and Age Are the Secrets to the Marriage of Burns and Allen
George Burns and Gracie Allen not only had a wildly successful career as a comedy duo but they also enjoyed a happy marriage. When asked about the basis for the trust between […]
Fun and Surprising Facts About the Olympics
At this writing, the focus of the athletic world is in Tokyo for the 32nd Summer Olympic Games. While most of the attention will be on the winners of this year’s various […]
Brainteasers To Keep Your Mind Sharp
One of the best ways to prevent mental decline is to take some time every day to exercise your brain. As a public service, Commonplace Fun Facts offers you this opportunity to […]
First Prize For Printing a Story That Can’t Be Printed
The delightful book Littlewood’s Miscellany by John Edensor Littlewood contains a snippet that will cause brain cramps if you contemplate it for very long: It notes that in a writing competition in […]
Fun Facts Trivia Quiz #1
If you have read the nearly 2,000 articles published in Commonplace Fun Facts over the past 7 years, we think you should qualify for an advanced degree. Unfortunately, the accreditation agencies are […]
The Love Affair That Began and Ended With a Shave
Grace was watering flowers one morning when she saw the most extraordinary thing. The young schoolteacher was just a couple of years into her teaching assignment at the Clarke Schools for Hearing […]
How Many Ways Can Santa Arrange His Reindeer?
As of this writing, it is the middle of summer in our part of the world, but Christmas is just around the corner. That is if you define “just around the corner” […]
