› added 1 year ago

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TIL: Pufferfish create intricate underwater crop circles as part of their mating ritual.

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via reddit.com

KObxR TIL the first alt-history novel about the Axis winning World War Two was published in 1937, two years before the war started
pVN8 TIL Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, longest name-place on Earth. Translate: “The summit where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, the slider, climber of mountains, the land-swallower who travelled about, played his nose flute to his loved one.”
w64P TIL that the first casualty of the Battle of Hastings was William the Conqueror’s jester. He allegedly taunted the English army by juggling his sword and was promptly killed for the display.
7rPKM TIL the name X-Ray came from its discoverer Wilhelm Röntgen while he investigated many properties of the new rays. He temporarily termed them "X-rays", using the mathematical designation ("X") for something unknown.
OGE4g TIL that fighting off bad spirits is serious business in Romania, and they do it in the coolest way possible—with a bear dance! You guys... every December, people in Comănești wear intricate bear costumes and perform traditional dances to banish evil spirits and welcome in the new year!