Random Facts.

[green1]

For those of you going to Nissan this year. Balls Bluff is a hop skip and jump from Bull Run, which is just about right next to Nissan Pavillion.

[luvinlife]

The pitcher that lost the 7th game of the 1986 world series for the Boston Red Sox was left hander Bruce Hurst. If you take the letters of his name and mix them up you can spell

B RUTH CURSEHMMMMMMM There really was a curse.

[bravedave]

Jackson Volcano, an extinct volcano located 2900 feet beneath the city of Jackson, Mississippi (under the Mississippi Coliseum) is the only volcano located directly below a major population center in the United States, and the only volcano east of the Mississippi River.

[Wino you know]

The three best-known western names in China: Jesus Christ, Richard Nixon, and Elvis Presley.

[Snowparrot]

The three best-known western names in China: Jesus Christ, Richard Nixon, and Elvis Presley.

and what about Norman Bethune, eh?

[rich_big]

The three best-known western names in China: Jesus Christ, Richard Nixon, and Elvis Presley.

Western names? How about John Wayne, Partner and Tex?

[Wino you know]

It is believed that Shakespeare was 46 around the time that the King James Version of the Bible was written. In Psalms 46, the 46th word from the first word is shake and the 46th word from the last word is spear.

[bravedave]

One of Mooney's Blue Tits laid six eggs in the gardens of Irish President Mary McAleese.


I have no idea what that means, but I saw it on the internet, so it must be true.

[Bicycle Bill]

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before the invention of commercial fertilizer, so large shipments of guano (manure) were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, a by-product of which is methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bales or kegs, you can imagine what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!!!   Several ships were lost in this manner before it was determined just what was happening.

After that, the containers of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them. This meant that the sailors would stow it high enough in the cargo hold so that any water that came into the hold would not touch the cargo and start the production of methane. From this term ("Ship High in Transit") came the acronym "SHÏT", which has come down through the centuries and is still in use to this very day.

You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I.

-"BB"-

[SuperTrooper]

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before the invention of commercial fertilizer, so large shipments of guano (manure) were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, a by-product of which is methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bales or kegs, you can imagine what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!!!   Several ships were lost in this manner before it was determined just what was happening.

After that, the containers of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them. This meant that the sailors would stow it high enough in the cargo hold so that any water that came into the hold would not touch the cargo and start the production of methane. From this term ("Ship High in Transit") came the acronym "SHÏT", which has come down through the centuries and is still in use to this very day.

You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I.

-"BB"-

Sorry BB, this story is internet urban legend. Snopes looked into it: http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/s***.asp

*Sigh* The spelling censor altered the address, so once you click on the URL you have to insert "hit" in place of the *** so it will work.

[Bicycle Bill]

Sorry BB, this story is internet urban legend. Snopes looked into it: http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/s***.asp

*Sigh* The spelling censor altered the address, so once you click on the URL you have to insert "hit" in place of the *** so it will work.

I know, but it was just too good to pass up, and I thought more people would see it here than in the "joke" thread elsewhere on this site.

-"BB"-

[Wino you know]

Skepticisms is the longest word that alternates hands when typing.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

Thomas Edison, lightbulb inventor, was afraid of the dark.

A whale's penis is called a dork.

According to Genesis 1:20-22 the chicken came before the egg.

Actor Tommy Lee Jones and vice-president Al Gore were freshman roommates at Harvard.

During the chariot scene in 'Ben Hur' a small red car can be seen in the distance.

During World War II, W.C. Fields kept $50,000 U.S. in A German bank 'in case the little bastard wins'.

February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon.

Gerald Ford pardoned Robert E. Lee posthumously of all crimes of treason.

Gilligan of Gilligan's Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy. The skipper's real name on Gilligan's Island is Jonas Grumby. It was mentioned once in the first episode on the radio newscast about the wreck. The Professor's real name was Roy Hinkley, Mary Ann's last name was Summers and Mrs. Howell's maiden name was Wentworth.

[Capt.Flock]

Astronauts become a little taller in space. There is less gravity, so their bones are less squashed together.

Astronauts' footprints and Lunar Rover tyre tracks will stay on the moon for millions of years as there is no wind to blow them away

[Wino you know]

(I think someone has mentioned this already, but......)-

There is a reference to Superman in every episode of "Seinfeld."

[lime rickie]

Gilligan of Gilligan's Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy. The skipper's real name on Gilligan's Island is Jonas Grumby. It was mentioned once in the first episode on the radio newscast about the wreck. The Professor's real name was Roy Hinkley, Mary Ann's last name was Summers and Mrs. Howell's maiden name was Wentworth.

Did they ever mention Mrs. Howell's first name? I only ever heard her called "Lovey".

On Scooby Doo, Shaggy's real name is Norville.

[Frank4]

On this day in 1934, John Dillenger was shot to death outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago.

[Bicycle Bill]

On this day in 1934, John Dillenger was shot to death outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago.

He was supposedly 'set up' for Melvin Purvis by Anna Sage, known forever afterwards as the enigmatic "Lady in Red".

Or was he?

Here's a link to an article that suggests it wasn't Dillinger who bought it at the Biograph, but a small-time hood who had been set up by Sage and another woman to take the rap. According to this article, there are enough discrepancies in the official autopsy to fuel this theory...

But I see one glaring weakness. In order to make this scheme work, the stand-in for Dillinger had to die .
If he had been taken alive, he would have sung like a canary.

-"BB"-

[Wino you know]

Gilligan of Gilligan's Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy. The skipper's real name on Gilligan's Island is Jonas Grumby. It was mentioned once in the first episode on the radio newscast about the wreck. The Professor's real name was Roy Hinkley, Mary Ann's last name was Summers and Mrs. Howell's maiden name was Wentworth.

Did they ever mention Mrs. Howell's first name? I only ever heard her called "Lovey"

Nope. She was always referred to as "Lovey."
In fact, in the very first episode when the radio announcer was broadcasting the news of the missing castaways, HE even said "And among the other missing passengers aboard the "Minnow" were Mr. Thurston Howell III, and his wife, Lovey.

And as much as a Gilligans Island buff as I was, I have to admit, I never heard or read anywhere where Gilligan's first name was "Willy."

[Frank4]

On this day in 1934, John Dillenger was shot to death outside the Biograph Theatre in Chicago.

He was supposedly 'set up' for Melvin Purvis by Anna Sage, known forever afterwards as the enigmatic "Lady in Red".

Or was he?

Here's a link to an article that suggests it wasn't Dillinger who bought it at the Biograph, but a small-time hood who had been set up by Sage and another woman to take the rap. According to this article, there are enough discrepancies in the official autopsy to fuel this theory...

Bus I see one glaring weakness. In order to make this scheme work, the stand-in for Dillinger had to die .
If he had been taken alive, he would have sung like a canary.

-"BB"-

Now that is a truly interesting fact.

[bravedave]

The first generation iPod [Classic] was launched on October 23, 2001. Most of its sales occurred during 2002, during which time the 2nd gen was released. By Spring 2003 both had been completely replaced by the third generation iPod Classic.

The (color) fifth generation iPod Classic sold for almost three years, the longest sales run for any model.