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TIL that giraffes used to be called "camelopards", because medieval Europeans once believed them to be mythical hybrid creatures that were born from the union of a leopard and a camel. As such, giraffes are still called "camelopards" in European heraldry.

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WXnA TIL that Robert De Niro was so dedicated, to prepare for his roles, he actually gained 60 lbs for Raging Bull, lived in Sicily Italy for The Godfather Part II, ground his teeth for Cape Fear, became a cab driver for Taxi Driver, and learned to play the saxophone for New York, New York.
e0o55 TIL in her youth, at school, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin attempted to test the efficacy of prayer by dividing her exam group in two groups, one using prayer and the other being a control group. The latter got better marks
epOgD TIL French ambulances always stabilize patients at the scene rather than rushing to a hospital. Many injuries in the US result from penetrating trauma & require fast "scoop-and-run" management by surgical teams. In France, most injuries are due to blunt trauma so a "stay-and-play" strategy is used.
ema5 TIL that a whale’s ear wax builds up over the course of its life and can be analysed like tree-rings.
RnpQ TIL when the Emperor Nero began to go nuts, he would stage long singing performances wherein the audience would not be allowed to leave. Women gave birth during these performances and men would fake their deaths in the hopes of being carried out just so they could get away.