› added 2 years ago

112

TIL that in the world's first novel, the 11th-century Japanese "Tale of Genji", none of the characters are given explicit names. It was considered rude to call people by name, so the characters are referred to using (for example) their jobs or clothing color, which change throughout the story.

4kEOo TIL of Exploding Head Syndrome: auditory hallucinations of loud noise experienced when falling asleep or waking up. Treatment involves medications to promote sleep and lower blood pressure, as well as "reassurance."
R7nKQ TIL In 1989 a naked man climbed a flagpole at a McDonald's in Anchorage, Alaska. He stretched his arms out and nosedived onto the pavement. There were no drugs in his system, and he has never been identified.
GY4JE TIL that on the side of Prussia in the Napoleonic War a woman named Friederike Krüger served disguised as a soldier and after the discovery of her gender was not only NOT thrown out of the army, but was allowed to continue fighting and was even promoted several times.
rymy TIL the first time “Instant Replay” was used was in the 1960 winter olympics. In the men’s slalom event, officials who were unsure if a skier had missed a gate asked CBS if they could review tape of the event. This request gave CBS the idea for what is now known as instant replay.
5YpJp TIL that in Friday the 13th (1980) an actual snake was killed in the scene where one is found in one of the camper's cabins. The snake's handler, who was unaware of the snake's fate, was incredibly upset and had to be held back by crew members after it happened.