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TIL that Sichuan peppercorns aren't peppers at all. Rather, they're the dried berries of the prickly ash tree, which is a member of the citrus family.

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BrEdL TIL of mysterious radio signals, called "perytons", that mimicked signals from deep space but were detected only at Parkes Observatory in Australia. They were actually caused by opening a microwave oven's door early.
X0n1E TIL that chickens pass a version of the mirror test, where roosters warn others if they see a predator, but don't warm their own reflection in the mirror.
oBMk8 TIL the physicians of King George V administered fatal doses of morphine and cocaine so that his death would be reported in the morning newspaper edition, rather than the "less appropriate... evening journals."
jNWGj TIL in the 17th century, Robert Boyle, the "Father of Modern Chemistry," compiled an improbable "wish list" he hoped science would one day accomplish. All but a few have come true.
8a90V TIL that despite the name, the New York Times Best Seller list does not simply compile which books have sold the most, but is a combination sales figures, other data, and internal guidelines. Exactly how the list is determined is a trade secret.