Here are some fun facts to help get you through the day and look like the most informed person at the water cooler…
Fun (or not-so-fun) Facts:
- The word “hot” became a synonym for “popular” or “in demand” around 1909. In the 1920s, its meaning was extended to include sexual desirability.
- The Carpenters’ hit “We’ve Only Just Begun” started out as a jingle for a bank commercial. The writer, Paul Williams, decided to expand it to a complete song . . . and the Carpenters liked it and recorded it.
- Albert Einstein was so sure he was going to win a Nobel Prize that he included the prize money in a divorce settlement three years before he won it.
- Sharks are older than trees. Sharks have been around for 400 million years . . . and trees, only 350 million.
- In the 1800s, there was a superstition in the New England area that tuberculosis was caused by vampires.
(New York Times / Huff Post / Wikipedia / Smithsonian / The A.V. Club)
Strange and trending news:
- Taco Bell has introduced a new “Ultimate GameDay Box” featuring an array of stuff, including a Mexican Pizza, the returning Crispy Chicken Wings, and more. It’ll be available starting next Thursday for a limited time. (Full Story)
- The lights have been on at a Massachusetts school for over a year because no one can turn them off. There was a software glitch in the system on August 24th of 2021 . . . and they’ve been on 24/7 ever since. (Full Story)
- A drunk thief tried to steal from a church in Monterrey, Mexico last weekend . . . but, in the dark, he tripped on a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, and fell on the angel’s sword, injuring his NECK. He was caught and was taken to a clinic where he was treated for the wound. (Full Story)
- Trip Advisor says the #1 “food destination” in the world is Rome. The top American city is New Orleans, which came in ninth overall. (Full Story)
- Nearly 40% of pet owners have made a New Year’s resolution for their PET . . . and the top two are: “Get more exercise” and “lose weight.” (Full Story)
- A couple on TikTok accidentally locked themselves in dog crates. (Full Story)
- A list of things people order at restaurants because they’re too lazy to make them includes: Homemade ravioli . . . sushi . . . and eggs benedict. (Full Story)
- The price of eggs is so high that people are apparently trying to sneak them across the border from Mexico, where they’re a lot cheaper. (Full Story)