› added 12 years ago

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TIL that during WWII, the British made vitamin C syrup from rose hips because the German subs were sinking commercial ships carrying citrus fruits.

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OG8v4 TIL in 18th Century Japan, a woman farting in public was considered so embarrassing that it could break off an engagement. Some women would employ a Heoi-bikuni (fart carrying nun) to accompany them everywhere, whose job was to take the blame for their farts.
XEWQr TIL the phrase “revenge is a dish best served cold” expresses the sentiment that revenge that is delayed, and executed well after the heat of anger has dissipated, is more satisfying than revenge taken as an immediate act of rage.
QJ77X TIL in 2005, the US introduced a new $1 coin that you could buy and have shipped for free. people took advantage of this by buying them with a credit card then immediately using the coins to pay their bill to get free airline miles. one man abused this so much that he earned 4 million airline miles
a8DM0 TIL of the existence of giant viruses. Their sizes rival that of some bacteria (1.5-2uM) and they encode thousands of unknown genes. One of the largest was discovered and revived in 2014 from 30,000 year old Siberian permafrost, revealing thawing permafrost as a reservoir of ancient giant viruses.
6EJm8 TIL Norman Lloyd is the world's oldest living actor. He started his acting career at age 9 in 1923. He is still acting at 106 today. He also produces, with his latest film having been released in 2015. If he lives 3 more years, he will have been acting for a full century.