› added 13 years ago

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TIL during WWII, British forces dressed a dead hobo in a general’s uniform and planted “top secret documents” on his body, detailing a fictional invasion through Greece. They then caused the body to wash up on an Italian beach, in an attempt to mislead German high command. It worked.

LknZ9 TIL that the "All persons fictitious" disclaimer that appears in the end credits of films and TV shows is a result of a libel case brought against MGM that had produced a film suggesting that a Russian princess had been seduced by Rasputin
Ypywv TIL that the Republic of Ireland only refers to the football team, not the country. FIFA named them it because both Northern Ireland and the Republic claimed to be the official Ireland and both tried to qualify for the World Cup as Ireland fielding 4 of the same players.
yggl TIL that in ‘The Godfather’, McCluskey’s shooting was done by building a fake forehead on top of actor Sterling Hayden. A gap was cut in the middle, filled with fake blood, and was bunged up with prosthetic flesh. The plug was yanked out with fishing line, making a hole suddenly appear.
We5N TIL that Superman was originally incapable of flying in the 1940s; hence the phrase “Able to LEAP tall buildings in a single bound.” The animators of Superman’s first cartoon thought it looked silly, so they requested, and were granted, permission to give him the ability of flight.
M7bnb TIL that Mars Inc., (yes, the candy company) is the largest owner of stand-alone veterinary clinics in the United States