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Things you didn't know until very recently...

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What interesting things have you only recently learned about?

To be clear, this is about things which have been true for some time and you only recently learned about, not things that only happened recently. In particular, recent deaths of celebrities and other high-profile individuals should go in the General RIP Thread.

    Original post 
Hey guys...and gals...I was just browsing through an XKCD strip and ended up learning that Jimmy Carter was attacked by a swimming rabbit.

Courtesy link...

So, what interesting things have you guys...and gals...only recently learned about?

Edited by Twiddler on Apr 8th 2023 at 1:07:55 AM

Blau Court Jester from Blauretania Since: Jan, 2001
Court Jester
#276: Jul 16th 2009 at 8:32:32 AM

Contemplating it further, I now think that it's kinda cool that for some reason, you cannot change scientific names of critters. If I should ever come across a heretofore unknown species of bug I could give it a really offensive name and there is nothing anybody could do against it. What ever will happen in the world, scientific faux-latin names will remain the same. The one thing you can always rely on...

Sheila is selling her shop at the seashore for shops at the seashore are so sure to lose. Now she's not so sure of what she should be selling, should Sheila sell seashells or should she sell shoes?
Set Since: Jan, 2001
ccoa Ravenous Sophovore from the Sleeping Giant Since: Jan, 2001
Ravenous Sophovore
#278: Jul 16th 2009 at 10:08:17 AM

(Besides caribou, which are just reindeer...IN AMERICA.)

Actually, no. Reindeer and caribou are a distinct subspecies and a trained observer can tell the difference. Reindeer are smaller and grow differently shaped antlers. It may have to do with selective breeding, since reindeer have been domesticated (and it stands to reason that wild and tame stock have interbred at times), while caribou have not.

They are cross-fertile, but people who study one or the other consider them different.

edited 16th Jul '09 10:08:42 AM by ccoa

Waiting on a TRS slot? Finishing off one of these cleaning efforts will usually open one up.
Morven Nemesis from Seattle, WA, USA Since: Jan, 2001
Nemesis
#279: Jul 16th 2009 at 2:53:10 PM

According to Wikipedia, it's even more complex than that: there are/were nine subspecies, split into tundra and forest varieties (six of the former, three of the latter).

Yes, the European subspecies are different ones than the North American. Two tundra and one forest subspecies are European. Two are extinct, and the rest are North American. Greenland is part of North America as far as this goes.

I'm suspecting it's simply down to the fact that the populations have been completely isolated from each other for so long.

A brighter future for a darker age.
Arilou Taller than Zim from Quasispace Since: Jan, 2001
Taller than Zim
#280: Jul 16th 2009 at 3:12:27 PM

Michelangelo was a bit crazy.

People also kept offering him jobs (as an architect, or a painter) that he wasn't really qualified for (he was a sculptor damnit!) and said so, but managed to pull off anyway.

He also worked for several years on the St. Peter's basilica without getting paid.

"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Ent
trouserwearingbarbarian Since: Jan, 2001
#281: Jul 16th 2009 at 8:46:18 PM

Contemplating it further, I now think that it's kinda cool that for some reason, you cannot change scientific names of critters.

I started a Just Bugs Me thread about this one a while back, because some pretty good names have been rendered incorrect due to this little rule.

Though I do find it somewhat disappointing that Scrotum humanum isn't recognized as the official name for Megalosaurus bucklandii, despite the fact that it came first. (Just imagine Earl Sinclair calling himself "the mighty Scrotum!")

If I should ever come across a heretofore unknown species of bug I could give it a really offensive name and there is nothing anybody could do against it. What ever will happen in the world, scientific faux-latin names will remain the same. The one thing you can always rely on...

There's some pretty funny ones here, though most of them aren't offensive.

edited 16th Jul '09 8:47:01 PM by trouserwearingbarbarian

Blau Court Jester from Blauretania Since: Jan, 2001
Court Jester
#282: Jul 17th 2009 at 8:58:01 AM

Thanks for that link, TWB. Now that I know of the existence of a "Vampire-Squid from HELL" (Vampyroteuthis infernalis) I begin to wonder if there is some sort of "[Whatever]teuthis Cuthulhui" or something like that. My latin wordformation skills are more than poor.

Also, that website increased the amount of completely useless trivia stuff already in my head. Which is a good thing, for some reason...

Sheila is selling her shop at the seashore for shops at the seashore are so sure to lose. Now she's not so sure of what she should be selling, should Sheila sell seashells or should she sell shoes?
Arilou Taller than Zim from Quasispace Since: Jan, 2001
Taller than Zim
#283: Jul 17th 2009 at 4:56:43 PM

"[Whatever]teuthis Cuthulhui"

There is: Pimoa cthulhu, a kind of spider.

Darth Vader appears to have several species of insects named in his honour.

edited 17th Jul '09 4:58:12 PM by Arilou

"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Ent
InverurieJones '80s TV Action Hero from North of the Wall. Since: Jan, 2010 Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
'80s TV Action Hero
#285: Jul 19th 2009 at 3:12:56 AM

Linux works on Macs. I didn't know that and, I'm afraid, I don't care.

Oh, and Raiden is a guy, but given that I only know of him from a VG-Cats strip that suddenly makes more sense, I guess that's...um...yeah.

On a faaaaar more interesting note, there is a species of jumping spider in South America that is largely herbivorous.

edited 19th Jul '09 3:15:09 AM by Inverurie Jones

'All he needs is for somebody to throw handgrenades at him for the rest of his life...'
Buttercupistiny Battle Scowler from next to ponicalica Since: Nov, 2011
Battle Scowler
#286: Jul 19th 2009 at 4:28:30 AM

"Agathidium bushi, A. cheneyi and A. rumsfeldi Miller and Wheeler, 2005 (slime mold beetles)"

I probably shouldn't have laughed as hard as I did...

‎"Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair."
LullTheConqueror Love Freak from eternal loli Hell Since: Jan, 2001
#287: Jul 19th 2009 at 4:59:19 AM

Something new for all of you to know: the Short (8oz.) version of any Starbucks espresso drink tends to have an espresso-to-milk ratio in the zone of optimal deliciousness. The effect can be replicated by ordering a Grande (16oz.) drink and asking for two extra shots, thereby effectively getting two Short drinks in one cup.

GI Joeeeeee!

the dice are loaded, the deck is stacked, the game itself will hold you back
Zyxzy Embrace the mindscrew from Salem, OR Since: Jan, 2001
Embrace the mindscrew
#288: Jul 19th 2009 at 5:02:32 AM

He also liked to wear his clothes to bed and hated eating.

What's the frequency Kenneth?|In case of war.
DasAuto Sapere Aude from Eastphalia Since: Jul, 2009
Sapere Aude
#291: Jul 27th 2009 at 7:17:56 AM

I just noticed five Minutes ago that there are edit/page history/etc. buttons on the bottom of the page.

Now if you excuse me, Starfleet is about to award the Christopher Pike Medal to my dick.SF Debris
Kinkajou I'm Only Sleeping Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Hiding
I'm Only Sleeping
#292: Jul 27th 2009 at 7:44:31 AM

I just learned that this discussion has 291 292 posts.

INT is knowing a tomato is a fruit. WIS is knowing it doesn't belong in a fruit salad. CHA is convincing people that it does.
Noimporta Since: Jan, 2001
#293: Jul 27th 2009 at 9:46:52 AM

I just learned that this discussion has 291 292 posts.

Everything You Know Is Wrong.

PadurKaril Bile Connoisseur from San José, CA Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Cigarettes and Valentines
#294: Jul 30th 2009 at 2:21:33 PM

Guys don't kiss as well as chicks.

On a related note, I now know for sure that I'm straight.

I'd rather the world betray me, but I won't betray the world.
Komodin TV Tropes' Sonic Wiki Curator from Windy Hill Zone Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: I like big bots and I can not lie
JethroQWalrustitty Since: Jan, 2001
#296: Jul 30th 2009 at 2:26:16 PM

@Padur. Damn, you know how to dissapoint a guy.

edited 30th Jul '09 2:26:28 PM by JethroQWalrustitty

PadurKaril Bile Connoisseur from San José, CA Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Cigarettes and Valentines
#297: Jul 30th 2009 at 2:39:02 PM

Jethro wrote:

Damn, you know how to dissapoint a guy.

Sorry, but I spent the night at a party with the hottest guy I've ever met, and wasn't turned on. Cant help it.

I'd rather the world betray me, but I won't betray the world.
Midna Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they) from way down south in the land of the traitors (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Blorbonmyoji (he/she/they)
#298: Jul 30th 2009 at 3:19:55 PM

I just recently learned that my 11-year-old sister is a bit of a Lucky Star nut. I first found out when I walked into the bedroom to play a little Secret Of Mana and she was watching a LS AMV set to Ieva's Polka (which she quickly closed out of, for some reason). She used two separate online picture editors to edit two separate pictures of Konata during my play session.

Of course, she's a big anime fan in general, but it's kind of heartwarming to know that she knows what Lucky Star is.

pearlina brainrot affects millions of people worldwide. if you or a loved one are suffering from pearlina brainrot, call 1-800-GAY-NERDS
Eriksson Since: Dec, 1969
#299: Jul 30th 2009 at 6:46:27 PM

In Europe, the term "government" is used in the way "administration" is used in the United States.

Oscredwin Cold. from The Frozen East Since: Jan, 2001
Cold.
#300: Jul 30th 2009 at 6:59:06 PM

I said I think.

Sex, Drugs, and Rationality

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