› added 12 years ago

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TIL The notion that ‘dude’ may have been derived as translating the Swahili word 'dude’ as “a thing of which you don’t know or have forgotten the name”.Purportedly, the locals described early missionaries to Africa as “dude”.

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e0vwJ TIL that the term “starboard” comes from old boats where their “board” for “steering” was on the right. This meant they always docked on the left, or “port” side. Aviation borrows from maritime; so this is why you almost always board an airplane from the left side doors.
R7E54 TIL of Eleanor Jones, a librarian, who in 1916 created a chaperoned dormitory after noticing groups of vulnerable young women in search of Hollywood stardom were congregating in her library with no place to go. The Hollywood Studio Club eventually housed over 10,000 women - including Marilyn Monroe.
5YEWr TIL that Modica Market, the grocery store Jim Carey shops at in The Truman Show, is a real store in Seaside, FL. Store owner Charlie Modica, seen stocking shelves in the movie, said, “I’m 20 years older, 30 pounds heavier and my hair’s turned gray on me. Otherwise, not much has changed.”
VM59Z TIL about Operation Hidden Mitten, a US law enforcement operation with the main purpose of keeping mitten crabs out of the country. This species of crab is extremely invasive, preys on local wildlife and carry parasites that affect human lungs.
KboB TIL a 2009 study found that 60% of bankruptcies in the US are from medical bills. Of that 60%, 78% had medical insurance.