› added 6 years ago

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TIL that the term "Cut to the chase" originated from the American film industry's silent movies of the 1920's. These were often laden with obligatory romantic plot-lines that young audiences would find boring, but ended with exciting car or boat chase scenes.

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ZpgEG TIL Marie-Antoinette was once hit by human waste being thrown out the window as she walked through an interior courtyard
grKrL TIL about the Nemi ships, two ancient Roman ships built under the reign of Caligula and discovered in 1929. The larger ship was an elaborate floating palace containing marble, heating and plumbing, and baths. They were both destroyed during WW2.
rd7d TIL Antarctica is officially considered a desert, thus making it the largest desert in the world.
E1JJ0 TIL that there are several real species and genera which were named after characters or creatures of the Harry Potter universe, including several spiders, two genera of stink bugs and even a dinosaur.
JYm4Q TIL Larry Thomas, the actor who played the Soup Nazi on 'Seinfeld', auditioned in a military uniform in character. He was nominated for an Emmy for the role after paying the $100 application fee himself.