› added 12 years ago

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TIL the word hexadecimal should really be sexadecimal (proper latin) or hexadecadic (proper greek) but hexadecimal was used so that computer hackers wouldn’t abbreviate it as “sex”.

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xVZY7 TIL that in 1979 the Soviets tried to poison the Afghan president but it didn't work because he drank Coca-Cola, which carbonation diluted the poison.
8ajoZ TIL that there are ancient languages that are considered untranslatable or ‘extinct’ because we have no descendant languages to use as a frame of reference for translation. One example is the Etruscan language of Italy that belonged to people who lived in Italy before the Romans.
KYKKG TIL The White House has a Chief Calligrapher. Job includes writing invitations to dinners, greetings, and proclamations. The position earns $104,200 a year.
8e8PG TIL that one of the most prominent Korea Towns is located in a small city in Mexico. A KIA manufacturing plant was built there in 2014, leading thousands of Koreans to migrate over.
X0vaD TIL that July 5 is known as the busiest day for animal shelters, as many pets escape due to the fear generated by the 4th of July fireworks.