› added 10 years ago

1027

TIL that rats in New York City carry numerous diseases, in a sample of 133 rats, scientists discovered 18 different viruses known to infect humans. In fact, scientists even discovered some viruses that were previously unknown to have existed.

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VBjJD TIL that Abraham Lincoln once captivated reporters with a speech so riveting that the audience stopped taking notes and we have no record of what he said! It has since been known as "Lincoln's Lost Speech"
QNbQX TIL Steven Spielberg told movie stars that if they wanted to work with him, a prerequisite was that they gambled along with him by not taking any salary upfront and instead only taking backend compensation. He said "...if my film makes no money I get no money. They should be prepared to do the same"
rRJv1 TIL that Woody Harrelson's father was a contract killer who was responsible for assassinating the first federal judge to have been killed in the 20th century
D1w4e TIL actor Jack Gleeson, who played King Joffrey on Game of Thrones, said the scene he enjoyed the most after three seasons on the show, was when Joffrey’s corpse was lying on a plinth in the set with ceremonial stones covering his eyes, because he got to sleep for the whole day.
rNylw TIL there's an annual lying contest in England called "The World's Biggest Liar." Held in Cumbria, contestants vie to tell the most convincing lie within 5 minutes. Politicians and lawyers are barred from participating due to their reputed skill in deception.