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TIL that the "Cheerleader Effect" (the idea that people look more attractive in a group than alone), first coined by Barney Stinson in "How I Met Your Mother", was actually studied scientifically, and the theory was confirmed.

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via reddit.com

vPyxx TIL that in the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire banned the distribution of raw seeds or seedlings. However, Indian Sufi saint named Baba Budan managed to sneak out a few beans by hiding them in his beard and brought them to India, which eventually led to the worldwide spread of coffee cultivation.
VM8a8 TIL that Tuvalu (a Pacific island nation) leased the rights to the .tv domain in 1999 for $50 million; the deal trebled their entire national income, and one of the first things they bought was a membership in the United Nations
GYXpE TIL: 14-year-old Roman Emperor Elagabalus was a cross-dressing, sex-obsessed torture fiend who may have invented the whoopee cushion. He loosed venomous snakes into gladiatorial crowds and released his pet lions and leopards into banquet halls or the bed chambers of his guests.
e0gE5 TIL On D-Day, Paratrooper John Steele became stuck hanging from his parachute on the church steeple for two hours during the battle for Sainte Mère Église. A statue of him still hangs there today.
69Ngm TIL The vampire from the 1922 film, Nosferatu, has appeared in multiple episodes of SpongeBob Squarepants. He works the night shift.