12 Trivia Tidbits for Thursday, July 4, 2024
Shiny, new and begging for a crisp bite to be taken!
The Origin of the Word Alphabet
Even the word “alphabet” is a nod to the, well, alphabet’s origins. It comes from the combination of the Greek letters alpha and beta.
The Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC Shared the Same Terrible Founder
Given their rivalry, you might be surprised to learn that the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC shared the same manager — a guy named Lou Pearlman, who they both wish they’d never met, as he was eventually arrested for massive fraud.
The Oldest Casino in the World
It’s the Casino di Venezia, in, you guessed it, Venice. It wasn’t purely a casino upon opening, but rather a theater, called the Theatre Saint Moses, which offered gambling during intermissions.
Much Better Than A Birdie
An albatross, a score of three strokes under par on a single hole, is one of the rarest occurrences in golf. Therefore, it’s only achievable on holes of at least par 4, making it more difficult than a simple hole-in-one. The only score rarer is the “condor,” requiring a hole-in-one on a par 5 or above, which has only happened five recorded times in history.
Moles, Insatiable Little Munchers
Get your “it me” Instagram posts ready. Moles will die of starvation if they don't eat every few hours.
The Munich Olympics’ Tagline Didn’t Hold Up All That Well
The 1972 Munich Olympics were branded “Der Heiteren Spiele,” meaning “the happy games.” Given that they’re now best known for a massacre, this was a bit of wishful thinking.
The Hottest Day Recorded on Earth
Until recently, the record belonged to El Aziziya in Libya, which hit 136 degrees Fahrenheit in 1922. That measurement has been questioned since, however, so the current accepted record holder is Death Valley in 1913 at 134 degrees Fahrenheit. At least until next week.
The Vanilla Substitute From Beavers’ Butts
Though fallen out of favor for clear reasons, castoreum, a secretion from a beaver’s anal glands, was often used for a “musky vanilla” flavor by chefs.
The Origins of Those Ever-Present Zodiac Signs
The next time you get asked your sign, you’ll know that you have, in fact, the ancient Babylonians to thank for it.
The Military Academy Edgar Allan Poe Got Kicked Out Of
The gothic, bookish Poe doesn’t seem like the military sort — and West Point agreed, formally dismissing him in 1831.
The Only City in the World That Crosses Two Continents
Istanbul, Turkey exists in two different continents: Europe and Asia.
The Element Named for A Scottish Village
The element Strontium is named for the Scottish village of Strontian, also known as Sron an t-Sithein, where it was found in a mine.