Have you ever stumbled upon an interesting, but ultimately value-less, piece of information that nevertheless piqued your curiosity? Our minds, unfortunately, can only hold a finite amount of information, usually procedural functions that we engage in every day. Information without any discernible practical utility is often a casualty in the more immediate transactions our executive functions must quickly transact. That’s often why, when we trespass upon something novel or mildly extraordinary, we feel a tinge of youthful delight and wonder. It lends us temporary pause, as we utter the usual refrain to ourselves: “Hmm, I never knew that.”
In that vein, here are ten interesting and obscure facts that might catalyze a temporal sense of wonder during an otherwise prosaic day. Moreover, if you’re ever a contestant on Jeopardy, it could be useful.
Which state has the longest shoreline in the contiguous United States?
Answer: Minnesota. That’s correct, a state in Middle America actually has more miles of shoreline than California, Florida, and Hawaii combined. The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” or, more accurately, 11,842 lakes, features more sandy shores than states with ocean-front views, according to National Geographic.
Where is the world’s most expensive hot dog?
The world’s most expensive hot dog, with a price tag of $169.00, is the “Juuni Ban,” sold at the Tokyo Dog Truck in Seattle. It includes smoked cheese bratwurst, butter Teriyaki grilled onions, Maitake mushrooms, Wagyu beef, foie gras, shaved black truffles, caviar and Japanese mayonnaise.
Sounds delicious, but I’d personally prefer a cheaper hot dog at my local Wienerschnitzel.
Do identical twins have identical fingerprints?
Can a twin theoretically blame their sibling for a crime they perpetrated? One might think so, but they apparently cannot. Due to environmental factors in the womb that impact fetal development, identical twins still emerge from the womb with distinctive fingerprints.
What’s the tallest mountain in the world?
Most people assume Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, reaching a peak of 29,032 feet. Technically however, if one were to include landmass submerged beneath the water, the tallest known mountains in the world are the volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii. Both mountains reach a height of approximately 33,000 feet, were we to include what lies beneath their aquatic surface.
What does it mean when your dog tilts his head ever so slightly?
Have you ever noticed your dog tilting his head when you utter a word, or make a peculiar sound? As you might assume, it’s largely because your dog is curious about what you’re attempting to intimate to him. When pups tilt their head, they are attempting to more accurately detect a familiar word or the tenor of your voice. Your dogs really are interested in listening to you!
How long was the lifespan of a typical dinosaur?
The average lifespan of a common dinosaur was relatively limited. A Tyrannosaurus Rex’s median lifespan, for example, was between 27-33 years. Larger dinosaurs, such as the Brontosaurus, lived marginally longer, generally living into their 50’s, but nevertheless, our reptilian ancestors led somewhat truncated lives.
Why is your household dust accumulating?
According to researchers at Imperial College in London, humans shed around 200 million skin cells each hour. Hence, if you’re indoors, much of the debris you might identify in your home might be your own detritus. Don’t fret overmuch, however, if the idea of dawdling in your own filth upsets you: A report from the American Chemical Society discovered that skin oil naturally helps reduce indoor ozone levels by up to 15 percent.
What was once regarded as useful for skincare?
Arsenic, the poison, was once thought to be highly beneficial health in preserving youthful skin. During the Victorian era, some of the most popular cosmetics available were riddled with arsenic. There were some products, like Dr. James P. Campbell’s Safe Arsenic Complexion Wafers, which were actually intended to be consumed! At the time, many skincare experts believed arsenic was beneficial in removing facial irregularities like freckles, blackheads, and a poor complexion.
Why is Chicago referred to as the “Windy City.”
This may be more commonly known, but Chicago is not known as the “Windy City” because of its vehement gusts of wind. Rather, the term was coined by a journalist who regarded much of the city’s denizens as “windbags” and being “full of hot air.”
Why are movie previews referred to as trailers?
When movies were first being released in theaters, previews for upcoming films were displayed only after the film rolled. Hence, these ads did not act as precursors to the feature film, but “trailed” it. The first trailer appeared in 1912 and was for a Broadway show, not a movie.
Sugar as a salve?
If you find yourself with an open wound, an unexpected source of relief can be applied. Pouring sugar on top of any open sore and wrapping it with a bandage can aid in your recovery, as the granules of the sugar crystals are capable of absorbing any moisture that bacteria can thrive in.
What’s the most effective way of curing a hangover?
I suppose it isn’t astonishing to learn that brunch was conceived as a way of ameliorating the effects of a particularly nasty hangover. The meal can be enjoyed later in the morning and consists primarily of fatty foods that can abet the process of further metabolizing alcohol.
For additional lifestyle articles, reference the links below:
10 Reasons Swimming Is Good For Your Health
6 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally
