› added 12 years ago

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TIL there is a recurring hoax to ban the substance dihydrogen monoxide (or water). Among others, government representatives of New Zealand have expressed support for this ban on more than one occasion.

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via reddit.com

jNLLv TIL during the filming of the original pilot of Game of Thrones, the Danny/Drogo sex scene was filmed outside with their horses behind them. They had to stop the scene because people on set started laughing. Turns out one of the horses got turned on and their giant horse boner was on camera.
VM5LZ TIL of the "Vitamin D Paradox" among black people. Researchers couldn't understand why black folks had better bone health while 80% were chronically Vit D deficient. They discovered black folks make less of a protein which interferes with Vit D. They have less overall but use it more efficiently.
R9v9 TIL “Moby Dick” was inspired by “Mocha Dick”, a famous albino whale who survived many skirmishes with whalers; he finally was killed coming to the aid of a distraught cow whose calf had just been killed
7vGM TIL that the original rules for basketball did not include dribbling; the ball could only be advanced by passing. Players eventually learned to “pass to themselves.” This was accepted as legal and eventually developed into dribbling.
aYMo TIL Al Capone’s lawyer, Ed O'Hare, wanted to show his son how to be a good man; he testified against Capone and was killed. The son, Butch, went on to save an entire US fleet from Japanese bombers, win the MOH, be the first Navy Ace, and have O'Hare airport named in his honor.