› added 3 years ago

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TIL air conditioning is not popular in Europe. Only 5% of French homes are air-conditioned, 2% of German homes. Many travel sites include horror stories from Europeans describing how "unpleasant the United States is with its artificial cold, and reports of legions of Europeans who return ill."

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o8Eo TIL our walking speed is affected by whom we’re with. On average, women walking together move the slowest, men slow down 7% when walking with female partners they’re interested in, and men walking with male friends move at speeds faster than either man’s preferred walking speed.
OGLOe TIL that the word "Sideburns" came from the American Civil War Union General, Ambrose Burnside's unusual facial hair. They were originally named "Burnsides", but this was later corrupted to the word "Sideburns" that we know today!
6nOm TIL That certain solid materials like Quartz Crystals will create electricity when mechanical energy is applied (i.e. you squeeze them).
9Yp06 TIL Scatman John had a severe stutter throughout his life, this is what led him to add the crazy vocals to his song that ultimately made him famous
R7Ovl TIL that monkeys in Japan learned to wash sweet potatoes in fresh water to clean them. They later switched to washing sweet potatoes in salt water. It is theorized that this is because they like the salty taste more than plain potatoes.