There is a long tradition that connects advanced educational degrees to solemn oaths. Recipients of medical degrees take the Hippocratic Oath, promising to do no harm. Nurses take the Florence Nightingale Pledge […]
“Show how it is possible to determine the height of a tall building with the aid of a barometer.” As far as the teacher was concerned, it was a simple enough concept. […]
Dear Santa Claus: I know you’re pretty busy at this time of year, and I hate to be a pest, but I am writing again in hopes that you will reconsider putting […]
The image of Col. Harlan Sanders tends to evoke happy thoughts. The founder and symbol of Kentucky Fried Chicken is a grandfatherly, pleasant-looking chap. The last thing you would associate with him […]
We acknowledge from the beginning that we have our doubts about the authenticity of this story. It has a been reported on several websites, such as this one, this one, and this […]
“If you swallow your gum, it will stay in your stomach for ten years.” This was the sage warning given by our 7th-grade science teacher, and we took it to heart. Of […]
Funerals can be awkward events for most people. Those who show up to provide emotional support to the grieving family frequently find themselves at a loss for words. Repeated expressions of, “I’m […]
Weird things can happen when mistranslating words from one language to another. See these articles for some examples. The results can be hilarious, embarrassing, or disastrous. If you search for examples of […]
When it comes to dams, there are plenty to consider. There is China’s Three Gorges Dam that is so big that it slows the earth’s rotation. There is another Chinese dam whose […]
Have you heard about the fabulously wealthy Indian ruler who was snubbed at a Rolls Royce showroom? When the salesman did not recognize the distinguished visitor and dismissed him as someone who […]
The elite command and military intelligence officers of the United States gathered every day at a high-security location. The timing of their meetings left no doubt that it was not a coincidence. […]
One of the first rhymes learned by children is “Humpty Dumpty.” We all know that poor ol’ Humpty was an anthropomorphic egg who, despite his fragile physique, unwisely sat on a wall. […]
If you spend any amount of internet searching for interesting facts about Star Wars and you will eventually come across this interesting tidbit: some of the asteroids in The Empire Strikes Back […]
We all know that if you drop a penny from the top of the Empire State Building, it will kill anyone it happens to strike. We think we know it, anyway. Has […]
It was April 2014, and the excavators approached the rumored burial site with high hopes. Many expressed doubt that the place even existed. Those who were in the best position to know […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 