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TIL 'Spiking a gun' is when a person would drive a spike or their bayonet into the cannon's touch-hole, making it inoperable. The action was done defensively to stop the enemy from using captured cannons and covert spiking missions were launched to stop counterattacks.

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w5pE TIL Tina Fey lost 30 pounds after seeing herself on camera for the first time as an extra on SNL - a year later, she was named the first ever female head writer
gEx9 TIL the phrase “Parthian Shot” refers to a military tactic of the ancient Parthians who would retreat at full gallop, turn around and fire a long bow at their enemies. There is actually controversy among etymologists as to whether “Parting Shot” is derived from this term.
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