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TIL It Was Once Someone’s Job to Chat With the King While He Used the Toilet

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6EpBm TIL of Mortsafes. They were iron contraptions placed over a grave to prevent body snatchers from digging up the newly deceased people. You can still find disused mortsafes around Scotland
v1Brx TIL that cats only learnt to 'meow' for humans. Cats naturally communicate mostly through scent, then through facial expression, complex body language and touch.
LjWP TIL sideshow performer Francesco Lentini was born in Sicily in 1889 with 3 different length legs, 4 feet, and 2 genitals - a result of a partially absorbing his conjoined twin. He married, had 4 children, and lived to be 85. His photo is on the back cover of Alice In Chain’s self-titled album.
Z89Ap TIL women taking on their husband's surname began in the 9th century when women did not have legal identity and therefore took on the husband's name to be legally covered by his identity.
rRM6M TIL of Parrondo's paradox. In Game A you lose $1 each turn you play. In Game B you count how much you have left; if an even amount you win $3 else you lose $5. Begin w/ $100. Play Game A or B & you'll lose all in 100 turns. But try Game B followed by A, then B etc & you'll win $2 every two games