› added 3 years ago

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TIL about Thamsanqa Jantjie who was a fake sign language interpreter who is most famous for his actions at Nelson Mandela's funeral where he "signed" incorrectly for world leaders around the world as they spoke.

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JYVXV TIL that the word “rays” has the most homonyms, being one of seven words pronounced the same but spelled differently
1n87 TIL that Roger Corman, low-budget B movie director, helped kick start the careers of Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Francis Ford Coppola, and Ron Howard. He reportedly told Howard, “If you do a good job on this film, you’ll never have to work for me again”.
4oR5 TIL that the first automated telephone exchange was created by Almon B. Strowger, because a competitor’s wife was the operator of his local exchange, and therefore redirected calls meant for him to her husband’s business instead.
epnwn TIL that back in 2010, the White House had to assure people that the President's upcoming State of the Union address would not conflict with the season premiere of LOST (season 6)
mxenM TIL the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 was intended to help the USPS be more competitive. The provision for funding in advance health benefits for retirees was added because the Bush White House threatened to veto the bill without it.