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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Herbert Hoover’s Expectations
Read more: Herbert Hoover’s Expectations“My country owes me nothing. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor.” — Herbert Hoover
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Giving the Boot to the Star Wars Shoe Asteroid Myth
Read more: Giving the Boot to the Star Wars Shoe Asteroid MythAccording to legend, some asteroids in Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back were potatoes and one was a shoe. Is this true?
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Vending Machines Are More Deadly Than Sharks
Read more: Vending Machines Are More Deadly Than SharksThey have invaded human society so completely that they can be found in all areas of life. Businesses, hospitals, schools, and even police stations are their habitat. These silent killers lure their unsuspecting victims with enticements of candy, soda, and chips. They appear to be harmless, but they are more deadly than sharks. Who are…
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When Churchill Got His Foot Caught on a Dangling Preposition
Read more: When Churchill Got His Foot Caught on a Dangling PrepositionFew people have ever commanded such a mastery of the English language as Winston Churchill. He labored over his speeches and writing, carefully selecting just the right words in just the right order to accomplish their intended purpose. Once he settled on the way to express his thoughts, he did not take kindly to anyone’s…
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How Do Dogs Bark in Other Languages?
Read more: How Do Dogs Bark in Other Languages?Who knew that animals are like people in having to learn other languages to be understood in different cultures? It may seem that the basic sound made by dogs, “woof,” would be universally understood. Curiously, an English-speaking (English-barking?) dog might be hopelessly confused in another country. Consider Russia, where dogs say, “gav gav,” or France,…
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The Mistake that Made Lake Peigneur Vanish
Read more: The Mistake that Made Lake Peigneur VanishPrior to 1980, there was little about Lake Peigneur of particular interest. The 1,300-acre freshwater lake near New Iberia, Louisiana was only 11 feet deep and attracted its share of fishing enthusiasts, but little else. All of that changed in the span of three terrifying hours when Lake Peigneur disappeared. The tranquility of Lake Peigneur…
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Sharpen Up Your Knowledge of the Pencil
Read more: Sharpen Up Your Knowledge of the PencilAs summer ends and students return to school, it is appropriate to take a moment and reflect on one of the things that is as indispensable to studies as notebooks and backpacks: the pencil. This seemingly-simple writing utensil may seem uninspiring at first glance, but it holds enough history that it would take several pencils…
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The Surprising American Origin of the German Chocolate Cake
Read more: The Surprising American Origin of the German Chocolate CakeDiscover the fascinating American origin of the German Chocolate Cake. Learn how this iconic dessert got its name and the story behind its sweet success!
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Uranus Used To Be Called George
Read more: Uranus Used To Be Called GeorgeUranus is the third-largest planet in the solar system — and used to be named “George.” Find out why.
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What Happened to the Lost Letters of the English Alphabet?
Read more: What Happened to the Lost Letters of the English Alphabet?Although the English language presents more than its fair share of challenges, its alphabet is pretty cut and dry. Granted, there are simpler alphabets to learn. Rotokas, spoken in parts of Papua New Guinea, for example, only has 12 letters in its alphabet. Even at 26 letters, however, the English alphabet is still much less…
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Leadership Lesson From Eisenhower About the Privileges of Rank
Read more: Leadership Lesson From Eisenhower About the Privileges of RankWhat are the privileges of rank? Learn a leadership lesson from Eisenhower from the point of view of his son.
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Totally Awesome Facts About Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Read more: Totally Awesome Facts About Bill and Ted’s Excellent AdventureAs the release date for Bill & Ted Face the Music approaches, the nerdiness level at Commonplace Fun Facts Headquarters is rising exponentially. In anticipation of the sequel that has been almost thirty years in the making, we bring you these totally awesome fun facts about the first movie in the trilogy, in hopes that…
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There are More Trees on Earth Than Stars in the Milky Way
Read more: There are More Trees on Earth Than Stars in the Milky WayDid you know there are more trees on earth than there are stars in the galaxy? Learn the facts in this eye-opening article.
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What Do Disney and the Pentagon Have in Common?
Read more: What Do Disney and the Pentagon Have in Common?The Disney theme parks are billed as being the most magical places on earth. Millions of visitors flock to the parks each year to escape from the cares of everyday life. In stark contrast is the Pentagon. It stands as the focal point for the defense of the Free World. Access to its facilities is…
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What’s the Buzz About the McDonald’s Built for Bees?
Read more: What’s the Buzz About the McDonald’s Built for Bees?Those who follow the news about fast food, architecture, and apiology were all abuzz with a development that was as sweet as honey. Sweden recently opened the doors to the world’s smallest McDonald’s. It is not only the tiniest, but it is also the most exclusive in terms of clientele: it only serves bees.
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A Buttload is an Actual Unit of MeasurementFebruary 5, 2020
