› added 13 years ago

160

TIL that William Shakespeare invented the word “swagger.”

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x6O7b TIL on November 12, 1970, officials with the Oregon Highway Patrol decided to remove an eight-ton beached sperm whale with fifty times more dynamite than a veteran suggested. The resulting explosion blew chunks of whale everywhere, one of which flattened the veteran's brand-new car.
vweR TIL that people suffering from schizophrenia may hear “voices” differently depending on their cultural context. In the United States, the voices are harsh and threatening; in Africa and India, they are more benign and playful.
eMPg TIL James Joyce’s grandson, Stephen Joyce, as executor of his grandfather’s estate would sue anybody who attempted to write about, quote, recite, display, or perform any of James Joyce’s work or personal effects and effectively halted any scholarly research on any of James Joyce’s work for decades.
gQ67 TIL Europe is experiencing its longest period of peace since the Roman Empire
avXN TIL that during US-backed Pinochet’s violent takeover of Chile, a popular singer was beaten, tortured and had his hands broken. While he lay on the ground, his captors mockingly suggested he play guitar. With that he sang “We Will Win” before he was shot 44 times.