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TIL the pollen of the cattail plant is a good source of protein that can be mixed with flour and used in baking. Young cattail shoots and roots can also be eaten.

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JYXlm TIL: Before electricity, theatrical groups would heat up calcium oxide, also known as quicklime, for stage lighting. This is where the expression “in the limelight” originates from. People use to literally be in the limelight.
j6GmQ TIL about the United States of Europe, a hypothetical scenario of European integration leading to the formation of a sovereign superstate (similar to the USA), organized as a federation of the member countries of the European Union (EU).
lomJK TIL: Tattoo removal is so difficult because macrophages keep eating and storing the ink!
Jxm8 TIL the term “waffle” (meaning blather or to be indecisive) is not based on the food. It actually comes “waff” which is the 17th century version of “woof,” - the implication being the speaker’s words have as much meaning as a dog barking.
jN7Bn TIL that bonito flakes are basically shaved fish jerky. Traditional katsuobushi is skipjack tuna preserved using smoke, caves, mold and the sun in a process that can take years. The fish is so tough that it is shaved with a katsuobushi kezuriki, which looks like a wood carving tool.