Buzz
It's not common for us to follow up one list with another so quickly, but after discovering a fresh batch of fascinating facts that were completely new to me, I knew I had to share them immediately. I hope that most of these will be entirely new to our readers. While you may recognize one or two, I trust you'll walk away from this list knowing at least 10 new things that you didn't before.
1 Facts 1 – 5
1. Mozart, always the prankster, composed a 1782 piece for six voices titled “lick me in the ass” (“Leck mich im Arsch”), or more casually, “kiss my ass”. You can hear it in the YouTube video linked above. For those with a musical ear, it's K. 231 (K. 382c). He also created another work titled “Lick my ass until it is nice and clean” (K.233/382d). While it may raise a few eyebrows, here are the lyrics to the second piece.
Lick my ass nicely, lick it clean, clean and neat, lick my ass. It’s a greasy craving, well buttered, like the savoring of roast meat, my daily habit. Three can lick more than two, come on, give it a try, and lick, lick, lick. Everyone licks their own ass themselves.
2. A 2×4 (or 4×2 in British measurements) is not what it seems. It's a term used to describe a common size of lumber, but what most people don’t realize is that it’s actually 1.5×. This size refers to the rough timber before it's dried and planed.
3. Hippopotamuses, which are surprisingly dangerous creatures, have a fascinating trait: instead of sweating, they secrete a natural pink liquid that acts as a sunscreen. Combined with their ability to remain submerged in water for extended periods, this helps protect them from the harsh sun.
4. Kangaroos are unable to fart. The small amount of methane they produce is converted into energy and reused by their bodies. Scientists hope to transfer the bacteria responsible for this process in kangaroos to cows in an effort to reduce methane emissions and fight global warming.
5. During the Cold War, the U.S. military developed a rifle capable of firing nuclear warheads. This weapon, known as the Davy Crockett, was created in 1956, with 2,100 units produced. It was in use by U.S. Army forces from 1961 until 1971.
2 Facts 6 – 10
6. Have you ever observed that when you have a bowl of mixed nuts, the larger ones always seem to rise to the top? This phenomenon has a scientific name: the Brazil Nut Effect. It describes the occurrence where the biggest particles rise to the surface when a mixture of objects of different sizes is shaken.
7. Have you ever woken up and gone through your daily routine, only to realize later that you were still dreaming? This disorienting experience, where you need to re-live everything you’ve already done, is called a 'false awakening' or a 'dream within a dream'. It's even possible to have multiple false awakenings in one dream. This concept, though perhaps overused now, is a popular trope in movies.
8. Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S., holds the distinction of having the longest name. Officially, it’s called 'Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' on all state documents.
9. Throughout history, some bizarre methods have been used in the search for cures for mental illness. In 1650, Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher invented a peculiar musical instrument to treat melancholy. Known as the 'katzenklavier', it featured a row of cats fixed under a keyboard with their tails sticking out. When the keys were pressed, the cats would meow in pain. Needless to say, the concept was never widely adopted. [Picture above]
10. In 1859, the Earth was struck by the largest solar storm ever recorded. Caused by powerful sunspots and solar flares, it was so intense that auroras were visible around the globe, even in the Caribbean. The auroras over the Rocky Mountains were so bright that gold miners mistook them for morning. The storm also caused widespread disruption, knocking out telegraph systems across Europe and North America. This event is known as the 'Solar Storm of 1859' or the 'Carrington Event'.
3 Facts 11 – 15
11. You may have noticed that actors and TV hosts once had a more refined accent than the typical American one we hear today. This distinctive accent is called Mid-Atlantic English or the Transatlantic accent. It's not a natural dialect, but rather one learned in boarding schools before 1960 or acquired by spending extended periods in English-speaking countries like the U.S. and the U.K. Though less common now, Kelsey Grammer (of 'Frasier') still uses this accent. (clip above)
12. Have you ever noticed that when you try to correct someone's grammar online, you inevitably make a mistake yourself? This phenomenon is known as Muphry’s Law (purposefully misspelled). So, keep that in mind the next time the grammar enthusiast inside you decides to make an appearance.
13. It turns out you can get drunk in prison thanks to something called 'prison wine' or 'pruno'. Made from ingredients like apples, oranges, fruit cocktail, ketchup, sugar, and sometimes bread, this homemade alcohol is popular in prisons because it's cheap, easy to make, and discreet. The taste? It’s often described as resembling a vomit-flavored wine cooler.
14. The PhD is not the ultimate academic degree one can earn. There are also titles such as Doctor of Sciences (DSc/ScD) and Doctor of Letters (DLitt/LittD), typically awarded in Britain, Ireland, and the Commonwealth nations, though occasionally in the U.S. These degrees are usually given for significant, sustained contributions to fields like science or literature. For instance, Mark Twain was honored with a Doctor of Letters by Oxford University. To add to the complexity, there's also the PhB, which stands for Bachelor of Philosophy, and is equivalent to a Master's degree, despite its name.
15. Have you ever noticed how some people's names seem almost too fitting for their careers? Names like Usain Bolt (the Jamaican sprinter), Lord Brain (the brain surgeon), or Alto Reed (the saxophonist)? This is known as an 'aptronym' – a name that suits its owner perfectly. Some believe that such names might influence a person's career path, a concept known as nominative determinism.
+ Wilhelm Scream
Just for fun, here’s a bonus: the Wilhelm Scream. It’s a stock sound effect often heard in films and television, first used in the 1951 movie *Distant Drums*. It became an inside joke, especially after its inclusion in *Star Wars* and many other blockbusters, TV shows, and video games. The scream is typically used when a character is falling from a great height. Enjoy the video above, which features a compilation of Wilhelm screams from various movies.
