Sometimes you learn a fun fact and you almost can't believe it's true. You can't always believe everything you read online, but these pieces of trivia are very true and very surprising. You might think that you know all the wild facts on the internet, but these are some you've never realized...
Hum Drum
Did you know? It's impossible to hum while you are holding your nose. This is due to the fact that the human vocal cords are driven by air. The air in your lungs must be used to create a humming sound, so when the mouth is closed, it must travel through the nose. When the nose is plugged, the hum is very short because the air in your lungs cannot escape.
Breathing Exercises
The human body has some pretty strange limitations. There's a ton of cool things we can't do, like breathe underwater or go weeks without sleeping. However, one of the more peculiar ones involves swallowing. Turns out that you cannot swallow while breathing. Try it out for yourself, your body will stop the airflow while you are swallowing breath. That's pretty crazy.
Folding Space
Folding paper doesn't sound very scientific, but there's a lot of physics going on behind the scene. Try folding a piece of paper. How many times can you fold it? Probably seven or eight, but after that, it becomes pretty impossible. Well, did you know that if you were able to fold it 42 times, it would be thick enough to reach the moon? Now that's really out of this world!
Killer Coconuts
When you're staying on a tropical island, you might be afraid of the sharks living in the waters. However, the real danger is on the land and in the trees. Coconuts might be delicious, but they kill more people than sharks do every single year. Cows also kill more people than sharks do. You have a better chance of swimming than standing under a palm tree!
Brussel Sprout Stalks
Some people love them, some people hate them, but either way, Brussel sprouts have earned quite a reputation as a superfood. While most people know what they taste like, not many realize that they actually grow in a strange way. As you can see from this photo, the sprouts grow in stalks, not on bushes like many presume.
Upside Down
Have you ever heard the term "umop apisdn"? Probably not. It is pretty crazy though because that's the term "upside-down" written upside down! It uses different letters from the alphabet though, but it's still something to think about. Maybe umop apisdn should mean right side up!
Pineapple Openings
Pineapples are a delicious fruit, but do you know how they grow? They don't come from trees as most people might assume, but actually as the center of this strange bush. These fruits are originally from South America, though they have become staples in grocery stores worldwide for their iconic tart flavor and sweetness.
Close to Cleopatra
Cleopatra is likely the most famous Egyptian leader in all of history. You probably imagine she was alive thousands of years ago, but such is not the case. In fact, Cleopatra was closer in history to the invention of the iPhone than she was to the construction of the Great Pyramid. Maybe she was more like a millennial than she was an original Egyptian!
Mother Russia
Russia is huge. This truly massive country might look big on a map, but it also looks big in space! The surface area of Pluto is less than that of Russia. Pluto is about 1.67 x 107 square kilometers, and while it's pretty close to the same size as Russia, it's just a little bit smaller. Hey, maybe we can get Russia declared to be its own planet!
Camel Imports
Camels are known to be great for travel, and you probably associate them with crossing big deserts in the Middle East. Rather surprisingly though, these camels are not native to the region. They are typically imported from countries like Australia. So, next time you see a camel crossing a desert, know that it might be just as lost as it looks!
Hippo Milk
This fact is two crazy truths in one. First, did you know that hippos produce milk? Just like mothers for their children, hippos sweat out their milk. Second, this sweaty milk actually comes out pink! However, you might want to avoid drinking it. While it might look strawberry flavored, it doesn't taste like what you want.
Barbara Millicent Roberts
Barbie is actually just a nickname! The iconic doll's real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. She was named after Ruth Handler's daughter. Ruth was the president of Mattel Toys at the time of the doll's creation. Ken is also named after Ruth's son by the same name. His full name is Kenneth Sean Carson, though only the first name came from Ruth's son.
Woody Pride
Of course, the best cowboy in the West has to have a full name too. His full name is Woody Pride. No one really knows why, but according to the director, "Woody's actual full name is 'Woody Pride', and has been since the earliest days of developing the original Toy Story." Hopefully, he has quite some pride in his name!
Chicken Ears
Did you know chickens have earlobes? Furthermore, did you know you can figure out the color of a chicken egg by looking at said earlobes? They range from white to darker colors. Chickens that have white earlobes lay white eggs, while chickens with brown earlobes lay brown eggs. Even the beautiful pale blue eggs come from birds with pale blue earlobes.
Longtime Player
Though most people assume Nintendo launched with the invention of the Gameboy, the company is actually much older than you think. It was founded in 1889! However, things looked very different from how it is today. The game empire originally sold playing cards before making some major changes. It wasn't until the 1970s that they launched computer and video gaming.
Pledge to PR
The Pledge of Allegiance might be a symbol of American Patriotism now, but it once was just a simple PR stunt. Written by Francis Bellamy, it came from a contest. This contest would help promote sales of the children's magazine Youth's Companion. The version we know today has undergone quite a few rewrites from that original one, but it still rings true for the red, white, and blue!
Bountiful Bed Bugs
Bed bugs have actually been around the earth about as long as the dinosaurs. It is believed that they first came into existence some 115 million years ago. Not too surprising considering how difficult the tiny little creatures can be to get out of your home. This discovery was huge for scientists, who previously had no idea that bugs were such an important part of history.
Chin Up!
Humans are unlike any other creature on earth. Sure we have similar traits to monkeys, dolphins, and more, but the human mind is truly unique. Another trait people have that animals do not have been right under our noses this whole time...chins! It's one of the few characteristics that are completely human. Our bodies really are pretty unusual!
Cricket Counting
Did you know crickets can measure the weather? The bugs are known for their quick chirps to adjust their signature sounds according to the temperature. You'd have to do some simple math to figure it out. If you count how many times a cricket chirps in 15 seconds and then add that number to 37, you'll get the temperature in Farenheight, though it might be off by a few.
Puppy Eyes Are Evolutionary
Aren't puppies just the cutest? Well, that's actually a survival tactic. According to a 2019 study, these dogs don't look like wolves for a reason. Over thousands of years, domesticated dogs have evolved to have adorable facial muscles around their eyes. These muscles are not found in wolves, but allow dogs to show expressions of concern, excitement sadness, and joy.
Not So Superman
Originally, Superman did not have the ability to fly. He could only leap tall buildings in one jump, but he'd always return to Earth. In the 1940s, he was going to be animated for a TV show. Animators didn't want to constantly draw his bended knees, so they changed it! Readers were surprised by the change but liked the edit in the end. Wow, how times have changed...
Big Storm Coming
Hate thunderstorms? Well, you might not like to learn that there are about 2,000 happening around the world at any one time. It's just some math applied to a very terrifying ordeal. The United States has about 100,000 thunderstorms annually. Around the world though, this number is about 16 million annually. That means there's about 2,000 happening all the time.
Steak Space
According to astronauts, space smells quite a bit like seared steak. It has also been described as hot metal. It's a sensation that very few will get to experience in their lifetime, so it likely isn't extremely accurate. Still, every time you enjoy a fancy steak dinner, you could imagine you were one with the stars.
Bug Poop
Shellac is the stuff that gives gooey, chewy candy its texture. You can find it coating the outside of jelly beans and candy corn and it is sometimes called "confectioner's glaze" because of this. However, you might not be aware that this glaze comes from bug poop. Kerria lacca insects are the ones who excrete it, but you're the one who intakes it. Ew...
Scottish Unicorn
The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. Sure, if they wanted to pick a mythical creature for this title, they could have chosen their famous one--the Loch Ness Monster. However, the unicorn plays an integral part in Scottish history and lore. William the First even included it in the royal coat of arms!
Left Handed Dangers
Being left-handed is pretty difficult in a right-hand dominant world, but did you know it can also be very dangerous? Well, maybe not very...there is a 1 in 4,400,000 chance that someone who is left-handed hurts themselves due to right-handed equipment being the norm. More than 2,500 lefties die every year due to this same issue, so be careful out there!
Ben's Bodies
Ben Franklin has some skeletons in the closet...and the basement! Once, a dozen bodies were found in Benjamin Franklin's London basement. The reasoning is not as scary as you think, as it is likely skeletons used in an anatomy class held in his home. Still, that place is definitely haunted by the ghosts of Ben's past...
Snail Teeth
Don't get on a snail's bad side, he might just bite your finger off! Snails have several thousands of tiny, microscopic teeth that humans cannot see. The little creatures have a hidden ribbon-like tongue and a radula—also known as a jaw-- that allow the animals to destroy their meal and fit it in their mouths. They might not seem like it, but watch your back around these guys!
Sugary Slaves
A pharaoh, a very cruel one probably, once covered his slaves in honey. This was because he wanted to keep bugs away from himself. The critters would be attracted to the salves instead of him. King Pepi II really believed he was divine and any inconvenience was getting in the way of his rule.
60/50
Have you ever had to sneeze while driving? It can be pretty scary to take your eyes off the road so suddenly like that. When you're driving at 60 miles per hour and suddenly sneeze, you will have had your eyes closed for 50 feet! That's a lot of roads to miss on a drive. Keep your eyes ahead!
Most Wasabi is Fake
Wasabi is a delicious addition to any sushi dish...or something is. Turns out, 99% of all the wasabi sold in the US is fake! The real stuff is pretty expensive, selling at $160 per kilogram. What people in the US are used to eating is a dyed mixture of horseradish and hot Chinese mustard. So maybe you like wasabi on your dish, but it's not likely to be the real deal.
Flying Fried
Cooking oil doesn't just make for a tasty dinner, but also for a type of jet fuel! Well, kind of. Qantas Airlines, one of the largest airlines in Australia, has been on the hunt for jet fuel alternative and discovered that a blend of half regular fuel and half cooking oil works just fine for the skies! Even better, it produces 60 percent fewer carbon emissions than the way we've been doing it.
Human Hibernation
Ever wish you could lock yourself inside all winter like a grizzly bear in hibernation? Well, maybe you can! Scientists have discovered that human hibernation is possible. Maybe not for months on end, but research shows that humans have the ability to submit ourselves to deep sleep for days. It usually only happens under extreme conditions, but still pretty crazy!
Mammoth Time
If you think of woolly mammoths as ancient creatures, you might not be able to wrap your head around this next fact. The giant beasts were around a long time, and they were still hanging on when the Great Pyramid of Giza was being constructed in the years of 2580 to 2560 BC. The last known existence of the gigantic creatures was some 4,000 years ago.
Oldest Unopened Wine
The world's oldest unopened bottle of wine has been sealed since the 4th century. The Speyer wine bottle is 1.5-liters. Discovered in a Roman nobleman's burial in what is current Germany, the drink dates back to the years between 325 and 359 AD (about 1,650 years old). No one knows how it would react to the air if opened, but it would probably taste pretty gross.
Fire Devils
Don't get caught up in this storm! Fire devils are tornados mixed with forest fires...can you imagine that nightmare? Those who have seen one say it appears otherworldly and apocalyptic. The opposite can occur too. Tornados can also consist of water. These instances are known as waterspouts and are still very deadly, but not as terrifying to see in the sky.
Oklahoma Watermelon
Watermelon is the best, juiciest, most delicious summer fruit on the market...or is it a vegetable? Well according to the state of Oklahoma, it's the latter. The state vegetable is the watermelon according to the 2007 bill passing the decision. Since the watermelon is closely associated with gourds and cucumbers, the state said they felt comfortable classifying it as such.
Iron Stomach
Bhola Shankar, 43, was experiencing abdominal pains so he went to the hospital. There, doctors discovered 116 iron nails in his stomach, each about 2.5-inches in length. They were able to safely remove them from his stomach, but the man gave no explanation as to how the nails even got inside of him. Nevertheless, it could be considered a miracle that he escaped with his life.
Ladybug Killers
Who kills the most ladybugs? Ladybugs themselves. These insects are cannibals and tend to feast on one another. An adult ladybug typically devours around 50 sap-sucking insects known as aphids every single day, but those little guys aren't always in surplus. When that's the case younger ladybugs are often eaten by the elders to sustain their lives. Pretty gruesome...
Old Apples
Most apples that you've been buying from the supermarket are likely up to a year old. In the messy and long process of packing, shipping, and storing the fruits, the apples take quite a long time to find their way to you. They are injected with chemicals that make them stay fresh for longer and make them consumable even after a long time away from the store.
World's Smallest Bat
Bats have earned quite a reputation as being scary rodents of the sky, but the smallest bat in the world might not be so threatening. He's actually about the size of a dime! He doesn't even weigh two full grams. These bats are known as Bumblebee bats, although they are sometimes referred to as Kitti's hognose bats. They are tiny, but still just as spooky as the big guys.
Ronald MacDonald Robbed Wendy's
It was 2005 when a 22-year-old man named Ronald MacDonald made fast-food history. In Manchester, New Hampshire, Ronald was charged with stealing money from a safe in the restaurant. Despite the ironic name, the man seemed to have no real connection to the fast-food empire or the clown who bears the same name.
Pilot Santa
Don't worry, Santa Claus is not getting a ticket for riding around up in the winter night sky. This big bearded fellow has a pilot's license. Gifted to him in 1927, Ol' Saint Nick got his license to fly from William P. MacCracken, the assistant secretary of commerce for aeronautics. He had his photo taken and was he was given his license, airway maps, and a Christmas wish.
Lettuce Flowers
Lettuce is of the Lactuca genus, which is a member of the Asteraceae family, making it in the same realm as sunflowers! Though you might not think the beautiful and tall flower has anything in common with the short veggie, and you would be right. Aside from their shared family and genus, these two plants have almost nothing in common.
Smoking Problem
Pez is known today as a delicious treat for kids, usually coming out of a silly character head. However, the tasty little candy was originally intended to be an alternative to smoking. Created in 1927 by Eduard Haas III in Vienna, Austria, he made mint-flavored candies that would encourage smokers to pop in their mouth instead of a cigarette. Not quite the outcome he expected...
Urea Cigarettes
Cigarettes aren't exactly known for their exquisite flavoring, but what little they do have comes from a chemical called urea. Urea is also found is a less than appetizing spot...human urine. It is added into the cigarettes to add more taste, though many don't know this fun fact. Maybe this knowledge is the best way to quit smoking!
Hologram Circus
A circus is a twisted place that capitalizes on the discomfort of animals for human enjoyment. While most animal-lovers are sick of this display, one German circus has found a way around this by creating a circus of hologram animals! Anything from horses to fish to elephants makes people laugh and smile with some otherworldy tricks and stunts.
Knights of the Snow
Norway once actually knighted a penguin! Back in the year 1972, Nils Egelien picked a penguin at Edinburgh Zoo to be the loyal and official mascot of the King's Guard. Named Nils Olav, the little critter was shadowed by another penguin who later acquired the name and rank. After him, a third knight joined the ranks in the year 2005. What a happy family!
Purple Carrots
While today we recognize carrots as the orange veggies, they were originally purple! You can still buy these original purple carrots, though they're less common. They contain several helpful antioxidants and nutrients. By the early 1500s, orange carrots had arrived on the scene in Italy, but prior to that, they were variations of purple and yellow on the inside!
Vindictive Vendor
Vending machines are pretty deadly, or at least, more deadly than sharks. The odds of dying from a shark attack are one in 250 million. However, a vending machine death can be closer to around 1 in 112 million. So, while neither are very possible, you might be warier of those $1.99 chips than a deadly shark in the deep oceans.
Pocahontas' Play
Many people know that Pocahontas was a real woman, but assume she lived a long, long time ago. Well, she was actually alive at the same time as Shakespeare! The man who wrote classics like Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet was producing plays people would read for centuries while her home was being overtaken. Some truths of history are pretty hard to swallow...
Egghead
Think this one through... Humpty Dumpty is not an egg. At least, it was never explicitly stated in the nursery rhyme. It just says the mythical being fell off a wall, had a great fall, and could not be put back together. The illustrations associated with the rhyme are likely to subdue its gruesome nature. Kind of dark for a children's song unless he's a silly egg man...
Guillotine Star Power
Time is a tricky thing. While Star Wars was filming, the guillotine was still being used in France. The device of beheading has since been retired and saved in a museum of the country's brutal history. The last known use of the weapon was in 1977 when a convicted murder and rapist was put to death. Though it was behind closed doors, it was still too gruesome to justify continuing...
Armadillo Children
If you think having twins is difficult, imagine having quadruplets! Though there are some exceptions to the rule, it's known in the animal kingdom that armadillos almost exclusively give birth to identical quadruplets. The beautiful act of nature is inexplicable to scientists, but it's still pretty crazy. Now that's a full family!
Sliced Bread
Betty White is an American icon of television and cinema, but did you know she's old? Like, really old. In fact, Betty White is older than the invention of sliced bread! The product was first sold in stores in the year 1928, while Betty was born in 1922. She never had to make a sloppy sandwich in her lifetime! Betty White remains one of the best actresses of all time.
Banana Berries
Here's something crazy: bananas are berries. Even wilder, strawberries are not berries! Technically strawberries are an aggregate fruit. Some other berries you might not expect are avocados and watermelon. That sounds like a very different (and probably much less delicious) kind of smoothie. Either way, all of these foods are pretty tasty any way you slice it.
Shakespearean Names
Jessicas of the world, say hello to your namesake. Jessica was a name created by William Shakespeare for his plays. He was known for inventing very common words we use today such as swag, bandit, critic, dauntless, dwindle, elbow (as a verb), green-eyed (to describe jealousy), lackluster, and even lonely. Imagine how different languages would have been without him!
John Tyler Jr.
John Tyler is best remembered as the 10th president of the United States. However, by his family, he is remembered as a grandfather. That's right, this old man has a grandson who is still alive today. Lyon Tyler is admittedly very old, but still a line to the 10th president. History isn't always as far back as we might imagine, sometimes they're just around the corner.
Dino Water
Is anyone thirsty? Well, next time you grab a glass of water, think about this unreal fact. Water has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, so it only makes sense that a molecule that has passed through a dino might also pass through you at some point. That chance is almost 100%. Just think, you might have some dinosaur inside of you right now!
Goat Accents
A lot of animals have some human attributes, but this is one you might not have heard before. Goats, much like humans, have accents! Professor Alan McElligott from Queen Mary University of London has studied this phenomenon and says "It is possible that this is related to forming a sort of group identity, wherein knowing members of your own group are actually important, and also knowing if other individuals actually don't belong to that group."
Atoms On Earth
There are quite a lot of atoms that make up the world, but not as many as you might think. In fact, there are fewer atoms on Earth right now than there are ways to shuffle a deck of cards. There are 80,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (67 zeros) ways to shuffle a standard 52 deck.
Gnurr
Aren't you ever surprised by the gunk found in the bottom of your pockets? Shockingly, that lint has a name, and it's called gnurr. The exact description is "what collects over time in the bottoms of pockets or cuffs of trousers." It's not a word you'll need to use a lot, but it's a pretty rare vocabulary word.
Aztec Education
Cambridge University is very impressive and very old. In fact, the university is older than the entire Aztec empire! The school was founded in 1209 by King Henry III. The school is the second-oldest higher education institution in the English-speaking world and the world's fourth-oldest surviving higher education institution. Not to mention how beautiful it is!
Beethoven Washington
Beethoven was one of the best musicians and songwriters of all time. By contrast, George Washington was the first President of the United States. Did you know that both were alive at the same time? They weren't even that far apart. When George Washington was about 40, Beethoven had just been born. How greatness overlaps!
Pluto Planet
Many of us either grew up with pluto classified as a planet or the opposite. It has been classified, unclassified, reclassified, and unclassified. Pluto has never made a full orbit while still being classified as a planet! The space rock was discovered by a scientist named Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 and was then formally declared to be the ninth planet from the Sun.