Buzz
After adopting the term “factlet” for our collection of short fact lists, we’ve curated four previous lists of fascinating tidbits of knowledge. This is the fifth list, which includes mainly facts but also some myth-busting, which is always a nice touch. Enjoy and feel free to contribute your own facts in the comments.
1 Factlets 1 – 5
1. Karl Marx, the figure most associated with the rise of communism and the Soviet Union, never actually visited Russia. Here's another interesting tidbit about communism:
2. Communism is the final stage in a three-step plan. The first step involves revolution (to overthrow the monarchy or government), followed by the establishment of a ruling proletariat, referred to as ‘socialism’ (a government by the people). Once the socialist government achieves its primary goal – the elimination of private property – the government is supposed to dissolve, leading to a stateless society, known as communism. Hence, a true communist state has never been realized, as all socialist states ultimately retain their government.
3. The Earl of Sandwich may have given his name to the popular snack, but he was not its inventor. The first known instance of a sandwich occurred in the first century BC when Rabbi Hillel placed chopped nuts, apples, spices, and wine between two pieces of matzoh, creating what is now known as ‘charoset’.
4. Contrary to popular belief, the Dead Sea is not the saltiest lake on Earth – that distinction goes to Lake Asaal in Djibouti (shown above). It contains 400 grams of salt per liter, while the Dead Sea has 340 grams per liter. However, don’t rush to Lake Asaal for a vacation – the lake emits a pungent odor, and walking barefoot through it will likely leave your feet torn apart by sharp salt crystals.
5. While yawning is commonly associated with tiredness, we also yawn for many other reasons – such as boredom, nervousness, or sometimes for no reason at all. Dogs, too, yawn when they are tired, excited, or anxious.
2 Factlets 6 – 10
While the phrase 'all that glisters is not gold' is often mistakenly credited to Shakespeare, it actually originates from philosopher Alain de L’Isle in the 12th century. He said, 'Do not hold everything that shines like gold.'
The famous Sphinx, though known for its missing nose, did not lose it due to Napoleon's actions. The true cause remains uncertain, but it is widely believed that the erosion of sand over time contributed to the loss of its nose.
Many cats are lactose intolerant, and milk should not be given to them after their kitten stage. Instead, water is a much better choice for hydration, preventing unpleasant consequences like loose stools around the house.
The first Olympic Games weren’t just physical competitions but also featured mental sports. When the Olympics were revived in 1912, events like architecture, painting, sculpture, music, and literature made their way back into the program. These 'brain games' were included until 1948, when they were discontinued due to the dominance of professionals in these fields. One such artist, Jean Jacoby, won his second gold medal with the drawing titled 'Rugby'.
Despite what many believe, elephants do not create graveyards. While there are instances where multiple elephant skeletons are found near one another, this usually happens because elderly elephants tend to remain close to water sources, and as a result, they often pass away in the same area.
Factlets 11 – 15
In the tragic Hindenburg disaster, 35 passengers lost their lives, but 97 others survived. There were 36 fatalities in total, as one member of the 200-strong ground crew also perished in the event.
If you’re planning a trip to Roswell in hopes of encountering aliens, you’ll be disappointed. The famous alien crash site wasn’t even located in Roswell! The site is simply called 'Roswell' because the nearby large city is the closest to the crash site. In fact, the debris was found in three different locations, and the one nearest to Roswell is located 30 miles to the north.
Charles Lindbergh was not the first person to fly nonstop across the Atlantic. The honor actually belongs to two British pilots, John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown, who achieved this feat in 1919, eight years before Lindbergh. In fact, by the time Lindbergh made his iconic flight, at least 81 other aviators had already accomplished the same journey.
Marx never stated, 'Religion is the opiate of the masses.' What he actually said was: 'Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.'
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