Post * 16klV — Curious Curator

› added 11 months ago

52

TIL that "U and non-U English" was a British theory of dialects in the 1950s that noted that the aspiring middle classes actually used "more refined" language than the upper classes - like "pardon?" instead of "what?", and to "pass on" instead of to "die"

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MPkK TIL that the phrase “to turn a blind eye” comes from British Vice Admiral Nelson, who was blind in one eye; in one battle, when he was signaled to stop attacking a fleet of Danish ships, he held up a telescope to his blind eye, saying “I really do not see the signal,” and attacked anyway

oNwK TIL that the good comeback you think of after an argument, but it’s way too late, is called “L'esprit d'escalier” or “staircase wit”.

DZLg TIL the sequel to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory includes a trip to a space hotel, the group being mistaken for aliens by the US Government in the hotel, 24 deaths, shape shifting aliens who travel at the speed of light and Willy Wonka saving the day.

9w8kM TIL that in the 1920s a German architect had a plan to drain the Mediterranean sea . The plan called for building a gargantuan dam across the straits of Gibraltar . if successful, this new land connecting Europe and Africa together would have been called Atlantropa .

KOwL4 TIL the Greeks invented "Worry Beads" (kompoloi) as a tool to destress. While many cultures and faiths created beads for religious purposes (Catholic Rosaries or Buddhist Mala for example) these beads aren't related to a religious practice. Greeks carry and play with them to relax or fidget.