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TIL the term "meritocracy" was coined by Michael Young in his 1958 dystopian essay "The Rise of the Meritocracy" to demonstrate the social dysfunctions he predicted arising in societies where the elites believe that they are successful entirely on the basis of merit.

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vPkK TIL the “world’s worst nuclear disaster” was the result of two individuals stealing a radiotherapy source - and using it’s core as jewelry.
kONDB TIL the last remaining vessel of the German Imperial Navy is a passenger ferry which is still sailing around Lake Tanganyika. She was built in 1913, was converted into a warship for WWI, was scuttled in 1916, and then raised and salvaged in 1924 before being returned to service in 1927.
kJ6Oe TIL In Switzerland its illegal to own only one guinea pig
j64NN TIL of the "Order of the Occult hand," a secret society of journalists that slip the meaningless and telltale phrase "It was as if some occult hand had…" in print as an inside joke.
8eaNX TIL Hooters operated an airline called, "Hooters Air" from 2003 to 2006. Two 'hooters girls', dressed in their restaurant uniforms, were on each flight assisting the traditionally attired in-flight crews with hospitality duties.