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TIL the term " white elephant gift exchange " comes from a legend about the King of Siam giving rare albino elephants as gifts to those who displeased him. The idea was that the upkeep costs would financially ruin them.

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x9y5 TIL the government attempted to develop a “gay bomb.” The theory was the bomb could discharge female sex pheromones on the enemy forces to make them sexually attracted to each other. Development was stopped when researchers determined it was impossible.
9WPX TIL Gordon Ramsay left one of his first jobs while as an aspiring chef because he was tired of “the rages the bullying and violence” perpetrated by the head chef
LkdEv TIL "pioneer" was originally a 16th century military rank, meaning people who advanced first into enemy territory to cut down forests, clear trails, make roads and bridges, etc., so the actual troops could march through after. Pioneer has the same French root as pawn or peon, meaning foot soldier.
b9Oaa TIL of a sheep named Shrek, who hated getting his wool sheared. He escaped his enclosure and was on his own for 6 years. After being found and sheared his wool weighed 60 pounds, enough material to make 20 suits for men. All of his fleece was auctioned off to support medical charities for children.
VBRlG TIL that the animation film Stand by Me Doraemon helped ease diplomatic tensions between China and Japan.