› added 9 years ago

710

TIL that rolling the tongue or “taco” is commonly taught as a genetic trait in classrooms despite being debunked numerous times.

Read more udel.edu

via ift.tt

OM7g TIL that in 1835 Richard Lawrence attempted to assassinate President Andrew Jackson. When both of his pistols misfired, Jackson proceeded to beat Lawrence with his cane, and was then aided by Davy Crockett.
vRjr TIL in 2002, Sega’s president donated all ~$695 million of his own company stock to save Sega from going bankrupt due to the Dreamcast; he died shortly afterwards.
NayE TIL: The Antiques Roadshow appraised a grotesque jug to be worth $50,000, comparing it to a Picasso. Unknown to the appraiser, it was actually made by some random high school kid over 40 years ago. After finding out, he changed his appraisal to $5k, saying it was “not bad for a high schooler”
pY4Ne TIL the word shark used to mean "scoundrel" and sharks used to be called "sea dogs" instead. The term "loan sharks" predates its use for the fish and refers to them being villains, rather than a comparison to the predator.
4XDyg TIL as early as 839 AD, Swedes & Scandanavians served as mercenaries in the Byzantine army. Swedish men left to enlist in such numbers that a new law "Västgötalagen" was created that said no one could inherit while staying in Greece to stop emigration.