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175

TIL the meaning of the word mortgage is literally “death contract”

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47vb TIL that the influential American poet Walt Whitman’s collection of poetry,“Leaves of Grass”, was so controversial when first published in 1855 for its reference to open sexuality & homosexuality, that a major literary weekly publication recommended in its review that Whitman kill himself.
5YoQp TIL that 2014, a famously terrible year for video games, was the first year since 1983 where not a single video game was considered one of the all time greats. The requirement for this certification was appearing on at least six "best of all time" lists by different publications and journalists.
EdMV TIL The Atlantic ran an essay in 1939 titled “I Married A Jew.” The author complained her Jewish husband was “clannish” and too tough on Hitler. “100 years hence the world will no more call Hitler a swine for expelling the Jews”
xVlQ0 TIL after she was burned at the stake, Joan of Arcs brothers hired an imposter so they could collect on her good name fraudulently.
N7DA1 TIL about the ancient Italian city of Matera, where up until the 1950’s, some people were living in caves as old as 9,000 years