› added 11 years ago

266

TIL that the opposite of a euphemism (a more pleasant term for an unpleasant thing) is called a dysphemism. For example, “took a dirt nap” instead of “died.”

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LkD1Z TIL that the Apollo computers were 100% reliable, with 2,504 hours of flight time and only 73KB of memory.
VBJGB TIL about Capesize ships, the largest dry cargo ships with a deadweight tonnage of over 170,000 tons. They are called "capesize" because, until 2009, they were too large to transit the Suez Canal and had to pass Cape Horn to traverse between oceans.
x5eo TIL a mental disorder exists, in which people believe that they are dead, do not exist or have lost their blood or internal organs.
DEGv TIL that soldiers are required to “route step” (or walk out of step) when crossing bridges because, in 1831, the rhythmic march of British soldiers broke a bridge, throwing soldiers off of the bridge.
awE5J TIL: Pineapples were once so rare and exotic during the 18th century they used mainly for display at dinner parties, rather than being eaten, and were used again and again until they began to rot.