› added 12 years ago

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TIL the radioactive isotope Polonium-210 is found in tobacco smoke.

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4kOKX TIL George Lucas’s dog, an Alaskan malamute named Indiana, was often taken by the Lucases on car drives and called their ‘furry copilot’. He was an inspiration for Chewbacca and the source of Indiana Jones’ name.
ne5do TIL that “Slim Goodbody” (aka: John Burnstein) is still touring and lecturing (in his anatomically-correct spandex) after 45 years.
lRrN TIL that during WWII American soldiers in the Pacific theatre would use the word ‘lollapalooza’ to challenge unidentified persons, on the premise that Japanese people often pronounce the letter L as R
xVDJw TIL the first time british soldiers engaged american soldiers during the American Revolution they were ordered to "lay down your arms, you damned rebels ". When the american commanding officer ordered his men to stand down he wasn't heard properly due to having tubercolisis. Fighting ensued.
DQLeJ TIL the town of Honiton, UK has a "Hot Penny Day" a recreation of a 13th century tradition where wealthy people would heat pennies on the stove, throw them into the streets and laugh at the poor people who picked them up.