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TIL there was once a wager between Cleopatra and Mark Antony on who could create the most expensive feast. After Antony presented an extravagant meal, Cleopatra upped the stakes—she took a priceless pearl, dissolved it in vinegar, and drank it. Winning the bet in legendary fashion.

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kJnV1 TIL Solo katsu, short for solo katsudo (solo activities), describes engaging by oneself in activities traditionally considered to be group-led, ranging from solo eating for beginners to solo camping for the advanced. Japan leads by example in embracing and commercialising solitude.
NXel1 TIL about Juan José Cabezudo, a queer Afro-Peruvian chef and street-food vendor who lived in 19th century Lima. Known for his tamales, he was one of the most famous and well-documented cooks of post-independence Peru, being responsible for Bolivar's farewell dinner before he left the country.
D1rNe TIL that when Eli Wallach, who played "The Ugly" in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," arrived in Madrid to shoot the movie, all hotels were full. He ended up having to sleep in the same bed as Clint Eastwood and later often bragged that he was the only man who ever slept with Clint Eastwood.
rRwK0 TIL that when recording "Heroes", David Bowie used three microphones. One 9 inches away, one 20 feet away, and one just beyond that. Each microphone was muted as the next activated, forcing him to sing at increasing volume to be heard.
m1PjR TIL Electron microscopes produce only black and white images. Colour doesn’t exist at that scale, because the things it images are smaller than the wavelength of visible light but false colour as often used