› added 1 year ago

47

TIL that, for legal reasons, in the years near 1900, New York saloons served inedible sandwiches with alcohol.

Read more mentalfloss.com

via reddit.com

b6kR0 TIL Priss Fotheringham, famed for popularising 'chucking', an act dating back to ancient Rome. She'd stand on her head naked, legs apart, allowing patrons to toss coins into her "commodity". Legend has it she could fit 16 half-crowns, a notable achievement per modern commentators.
D1jOY TIL there are 23 floating-year-round boat schools in Bangladesh due to constant flooding in the country. Starting in 2002, these schools ensure year-round education in a country where heavy monsoon rains can submerge 70% of the land mass under water.
KYN1J TIL baking soda is used to legally enhance performance. During intense exercise, the environment around the working muscles becomes acidic, leading to the unwanted "burning" sensation. Supplementing with baking soda helps buffer this acidity, allowing the muscles to sustain longer bouts of exercise.
KYOMQ TIL that in 1965, Norman Morrison, a Quaker Pacifist dosed himself in kerosene and committed self-immolation in front of the Pentagon to protest the US involvement in the Vietnam War.
rNLNM TIL a town in Colorado had an unelected mayor serve for over 50 years. He was appointed mayor pro tem because the then-mayor didn't want to sign liquor licenses, and inherited the post when the mayor died. The town considered doing an election in 1974, but it was too expensive.