› added 2 months ago

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TIL it's unclear how the Mexicas were renamed the Aztecs. The term ‘Aztec’ has no very precise meaning.

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via reddit.com

0d7r1 TIL one of the fastest operational aircraft in the world in 1941 had an airframe constructed mostly of wood
rRQEx TIL 'Procrustes analysis' is a form of shape analysis. The name 'Procrustes' refers to a bandit from Greek mythology who made his victims fit his bed. If they were short, he would stretch their limbs. If they were too tall, he would cut their limbs off.
PngL TIL that during the Nazi occupation of France, Hitler did not destroy the Canadian Vimy Memorial and told the Allies that it remained intact, as he admired the peaceful nature of the sculpture
OyPe TIL Weird Al intended to parody the Beatles “Free as a Bird” on his album Bad Hair Day. Paul McCartney gave permission for the parody, but since John Lennon wrote the song, he passed the decision on to Yoko Ono, who said no.
pYoRG TIL the Mississippi River was once five miles wide and whales swam up it from the Gulf of America. The remains of these whales have been found in Michigan.