A Variety of Facts

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented.

It was ruled “Gentlemen Only…Ladies Forbidden”…and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

 

In the 1400’s a law was set forth that a man was not allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have “the rule of thumb”

 

Coca-Cola was originally green.

 

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

 

The percentage of Africa that is wilderness is 28%. Now get this; the percentage of North America that is wilderness is 38%.

 

The average number of people airborne over the US any given hour is 61,000.

 

Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.

 

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:

Spades – King David

Hearts – Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds – Julius Caesar

 

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

 

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

 

Q: Half of all Americans LIVE within 50 miles of what?

A: Their birthplace

 

Q: If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter ‘A’ used?

A: One thousand

 

Q: What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?

A: They were all invented by women.

 

Q: What is the only food that doesn’t spoil?

A: Honey

 

Q: Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?

A: Father’s Day

 

In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase, “Goodnight, sleep tight.”

 

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month. We know this today as the honeymoon.

 

In English pubs, ale used to be ordered by pints and quarts. So, in old England when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them, “Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.” It’s where we get the phrase, ‘Mind your P’s and Q’s.’

 

Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. ‘Wet your whistle’ is the phrase inspired by this practice.