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Skip that afternoon coffee. These facts are the post-lunch lull fighters you need right now

39 Random Bits of Trivia to Give You Just Enough Dopamine to Get Across the Finish Line Today

October 09, 2024

If you’ve taken a gander at one of our “Things America Gets Wrong” lists, you’d know that we yanks push through the afternoon sleepies rather than take naps like some of our European friends. The siesta in Spain and the riposo in Italy just seem so right to us, but here we are, slugging a second cup of coffee after a lunchtime burrito like suckers.

These zippy little facts help get us through the day, but since we know our editors have to read this blurb, we’re hoping they get the hint and just let us sleep!

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

39

Tea bricks were used as currency in some places until World War II. CRACKED.COM In Tibet, tea bricks were in such demand that swords, horses and other property were sometimes priced in a given num- ber of tea bricks. — Source

38

The number of sea turtle nests in Florida has increased more than 85,000% in the past 40 years. CRACKED COM In 1979, there were 62 known North Atlantic green sea turtle nests in Florida. By 2017, that num- ber had climbed to 53,102, thanks to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. — Source

37

There is over a 99% recycling rate for asphalt. Asphalt pavement is the most recycled product in the USA, easily beating materials that are more commonly associated with recycling, such as alumi- num with just a 55% recy- cling rate. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

36

Pro-Trump Rally-Goers Blame Mysterious Bogeymen for Latest Event Flop.

Low attendance at a pro-Trump rally was blamed on a mysterious forces. KEEP AMERICA GREAT! ER AVERICA GREAT! - A GRACKED.COM Right-wing speaker and lawyer Deborah Weiss blamed the low num- bers on e-invites being directed to spam fold- ers by unnamed, sinister figures. — Yahoo / Unsplash

35

We can see World Peace in real time.

Volatility of the world is measured in the World Peace and Stability Index. CNN NEWSROOM LIVE CRACKED.COM It is calculated as the num- ber of times CNN repeats a tape. Zero indicates a tur- bulent world with a lot of disturbing events going on in various parts. Canada is doing great, America not so much. — Vision of Humanity

34

In January 2019, 5 teenagers died after a fire in an escape room in Poland. CRACKED.COM Poland's interior minister then ordered fire safety in- spections at more than 1,000 escape room loca- tions across the country, which previously did not officially require them. — Source

33

During the 17th century, women's fashions with exposed breasts were common in society. CRACKED.COM Queens to common prostitutes particiapt- ed, and it emulated by all classes. An exposed ankle however was considered to be more risqué. — Source

32

The creators of Spam sued Jim Henson Productions for using the name Spa'am. CRACKED.COM The judge dismissed the suit for failure to prove damages from the pig character in Muppet Treasure Island, noting, one might think Hormel would welcome the association with a genuine source of pork. — Source

31

Movie Showtimes

Having standard showtimes for films was not common until 1960. CRACKED.COM Previously most films would just play on a loop, and people could enter at any time. Hitchcock's Psy- cho required that people watch from the beginning to the end and made show- times more standard. — Source

30

The longest Cricket Test match was played over 12 days. CRACKED.COM The game was between England and South Africa in Durban in 1939. It was eventually abandoned, otherwise, the England team would have missed the boat back home. — Source

29

Pennsylvania is spelled 'Pensylvania' on the Liberty Bell. PHOTADA BY ORDER OF AND Pass AND STO للدر CAD a CCLINI GRACKED.COM This spelling was one of several acceptable spell- ings of the name at that time. The spelling also ар- pears on the US Constitu- tion, as well as the double N version we are used to. — Source

28

An earthquake profoundly shook the belief in a merciful God and the power of the church across Europe. CRACKED.COM In 1755, a massive earth- quake hit Lisbon, Portugal on a major Catholic holi- day, destroying the city's churches while sparing its brothels. Tens of thou- sands of worshipers were killed. — Source

27

A law was passed that required psychiatrists and psychologists to dress up as wizards in court proceedings. CRACKED.COM The 'Expert Wizard Amendment' in New Mexi- со (1995) was revealed to be satire before the vote, yet passed the New Mexico Senate unanimously. It was not signed into law. — Source

26

The term log book comes from determining the speed of a ship. GRAGKED.COM A log was put into water tied to a rope and they measured knots to see how far they traveled. A person who timed this procedure would then write down the ship's speed in a book. — Source

25

Pet allergies are not caused by the animal's fur. CRACKED.COM Pet allergies are caused by an allergic reaction to the animal's saliva. The allergens come from sali- va, urine, and dander, which then attach to the fur. — Source

24

The Icelandic city of Reykjavik had a ban on keeping dogs as pets for decades. CRACKED.COM In the 1880s, 20% percent of autopsies performed in Iceland revealed echino- coccosis, a type of tape- worm that can be passed from dogs to humans, causing blindness and se- vere complications. — Source

23

70% of elite distance running races have been won by Kenyans. MOROCCO ©TDK Selmour I - 1 15 и BTDK it KONY FOR Kipsino FOR Spinsk Chepker TIMORA 16 OTOK Bekele 4 Y GRACKED.COM Specifically, Ken- yans from the Kalenjin communi- ty, who make up just 0.06% of the world's population. — Source

22

Dairy farmers in San Francisco sued to get almond milk relabelled as Nut Juice. CRACKED.COM The Federal District Court dismissed the suit, in 2013, as No reasonable consumer would mistake a product like soy milk or almond milk with dairy milk from a cow. — Source

21

The world's oldest university still in operation was created 1,160 years ago. GRACKED.COM The University of Al Quar- aouiyine in Morocco, founded by Muslim woman Fatima al-Fihri in 859 A.D., and became one of the leading spiritual and edu- cational centers of the Is- lamic Golden Age. — Source

20

Resurrectionists were legally employed grave robbers who dug up bodies for anatomical research. CRACKED COM The public hated them and frequently attacked them. The profession came to an end when several people were murdered for ana- tomical research in the 19th century. — Source

19

60,000 people a year are treated for injuries sustained while experiencing wrap rage. CRACKED.COM In one survey, 71% say they've been injured while opening packages and in 2004 the US had 6,500 emergency room visits due to these kinds of injuries. — Source

18

William Shatner avoided appearances at Star Trek conventions for 10 years after an incident in the '60s. CRACKED.COM In April, 1968, rabid fans cornered Shatner and attempted to tear his clothes from him as he left 30 Rockefel- ler Plaza. — Source

17

Beer Hops naturally produce an acid that can kill off a parasitic mite known to annihilate entire colonies of bees. CRACKED.COM Hops have shown such promise in helping Colony Collapse Disor- der, that the EPA has even approved their use as a biochemical miticide. — Source

16

Keanu Reeves was forced into starring in The Watcher after a friend forged his signature on the contract. CRACKED.COM Unable to conclusively prove the forgery, Reeves says that he fi- nally agreed to take the role rather than face a protracted legal battle. — Source

15

Billionaire Boys Club was a Ponzi scheme started in 1983 by young boys from rich families. CRACKED.COM Money contributed by in- vestors was spent support- ing lavish lifestyles. When funds ran short in 1984, club members turned to murder & at least two peo- ple were killed as they tried to raise more money. — Source

14

The Han dynasty of China drilled for natural gas in 200 BC. CRACKED.COM The Chinese had drilled deep boreholes to trans- port natural gas from bamboo pipelines to stoves where cast iron evaporation pans boiled brine to extract salt. — Source

13

The goliath tigerfish is so dangerous that only a handful of fishermen have caught it. CRACKED.COM It has 32 teeth that are of similar size to those of a great white shark. It has been known to at- tack humans and even crocodiles. — Source

12

Visa began as an experiment by Bank of America. Onyfast 4000 1234 5678 9010 GOOD THRU 12/24 A. MILLER VISA MILLER ON MARKET Prépavée CRACKED.COM In 1958, BoA mailed 60,000 residents of Fres- no, California a small plas- tic card with a $500 credit line. Bank of America fig- ured if it failed, there'd be no media coverage be- cause it was in Fresno. — Source

11

The International Space Station has a treadmill named C.O.L.B.E.R.T. after Stephen Colbert. CRACKED.COM Stephen Colbert used his show The Colbert Report to encourage his viewers to write in votes to use Colbert during a naming contest that NASA held. — Source

10

9

Taking in too much information daily can cause Busy Life Syndrome. GRAGKED.COM This disorder causes for- getfulness and lack of concentration, caused by hectic lives bom- barded with information overload from our ev- eryday devices. — Source

8

Beloved children's author Dr Seuss supported the internment of Japanese Americans during World War ll. OIV 0 nmt EV CAT w HAT He went on to write Hort

7

Cheap Trick CRACKEDCON got their name from watching SLADE perform, after bassist Tom Petersson remarked, I love these guys, but god, they're using ev

6

Everybody dropped Lindsay Lohan when her life imploded. Not even obscure companies wanted her. A clothing company called Odaingerous decided that ev

5

EVIAN WATER BRA Do your breasts often burst into flame? Then the Evian Water Bra is for you! This water- evian cooled bra will stop your fiery bosom from immolating you and your loved ones. ev - CRACKED.COM evian evian evian — Source

4

Mark Hamill voiced the droid EV-9D9 in Ep. 5 of The Mandalorian. That means Hamill's voice shows up in all the Star Wars films, except for the prequel

3

Fermont, Canada gets so cold in the long winters, they had to build a 0.8 mile long, 5 story windbreak complex. CRACKED.COM The Wall holds ev- erything from com- mercial real estate to residential housing, so citizens don't have to venture out into the severe cold. — Source

2

CRACKED CON Garry Shanding studied Buddhism, and helped found a monastery. He personally introduced the renowned monk Thich Nhat Hanh at a speaking ev

1

Potatoes

Prevent peeled/sliced potatoes from turning brown by submerging them in cold watero As long as they're refrigerated, this can prevent discoloration ev

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