Post * XEP1R — Curious Curator

› added 6 years ago

92

TIL the British have invaded or fought conflicts in 171 of the world's 193 countries recognized by the United Nations

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GYgWJ Today I learned that the word “magi” (or the singular “magus”) refers to followers of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion whose modern-day adherents included Freddie Mercury. “Magi” also gave rise to the “magic” and “magician,” as Zoroastrians were known to practice astrology and alchemy.

4X8dX TIL the name “California” comes from a 16th-century romance novel popular among the Spanish explorers who “discovered” the west coast.

GYRbN TIL that, after the Norman Conquest of England, nobles referred to the meat they ate in French, but the peasants who raised animals for meat referred to them in Anglo-Saxon. This is why modern English has words such as beef and pork for meat, but cow and pig for the animals it comes from.

8KGb TIL that Diet Coke is actually the sugar free version of the controversial New Coke, whereas Coca-Cola Zero is the sugar free version of regular Coca-Cola.

9wNLX TIL about the Hoe Handle War). One of the largest colonial uprisings against France during the Interwar period, while also being mostly unknown. Anywhere between 10,000 to 100,000 died in its aftermath and forced the Colonial government to end various oppressive policies in the region.