The world is full of mysteries, uncertainties and oddities. There are some stories that are truly nerve-wracking and jaw-dropping. There are some that can give you goosebumps and chills. Some others are straight hilarious that can surely make you smile a little bit.
Below are some of the most seldom talked about facts and trivia that a lot of people haven’t heard before. Check them out and see what “story” or “fact” picked your interest the most.
Tarantulas and frogs are best of friends
According to research and studies, the Dotted humming frog (Chiasmoscleis ventrimaculata) and the burrowing Theraphosid tarantula (Xenesthis immanis) has a very close relationship with each other.
Research shows that the two species benefit from each other’s certain characteristics. The frog seemed to benefit from living in proximity to the spider by eating the small invertebrates that were attracted to prey remains left by the spider. The studies also revealed that the frog receives some sort of formidable protection (from the tarantula) against snakes and large arthropods. The spider, on the other hand, benefits from the frog’s capability to protect their eggs from ants and other predators of spider’s eggs.
Popcorn kernels that don’t pop are called “old maids”
In the world of popcorn industry, the unpopped kernels are called the “old maids”. According to popcorn experts, the kernels don’t pop because they do not have enough moisture to create enough steam for an explosion. So this so called situation just fits enough fors the term “old maid”.
Workers who cut up pineapples eventually lose their fingerprints
According to numerous research and studies, people who cut up pineapples regularly can eventually lose his/her fingerprints. This being due to the extreme reaction of the proteolytic enzyme and bromelain that dissolves them. This kind of chemical reaction is well noted by authors of crime novel world.
Gordon Ramsay was almost killed by gang members
About 6 years ago, tough celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was almost killed by a notorious gang in Costa Rica. He was doused in gasoline and held at gunpoint by gang members while attempting to film a documentary about the illegal shark fin industry. He managed to escape by diving into his car with his film crew. Check out the entire ordeal at this post.
Mona Lisa is a small painting – dimensions are 2′ 6″ x 1′ 9″
If you think that the original Mona Lisa painting is as large as advertised commercially, then you are fooled! There’s no question about the impact and influence of Mona Lisa in our culture, but the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece only measures 30 by 21 inches and weighs 18 pounds.
Movie trailers were originally shown after the movie, thus the term “trailers”
The term “trailer” comes from their having originally been shown at the end of a feature film screening. However, this practice didn’t last long because movie-goers tended to leave the theater after the films ended. Producers moved the trailers at the start of the film and nowadays, to keep the patrons seated even after the end of the film, they insert “post – credit scenes”.
The medical or scientific term for the “fear of long words” is “hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia”
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia literally comes from the fusion of a word, “Hippopotamus”, and a phrase “Monster-Related Fear of Very Long Words”. Medical experts define Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia as an unreasonable phobia of big words or phobia for long words and they widely consider it as a type of anxiety disorder. The person who invented this term is either a genius or a big fan of “ironic” statements.
Via scienceblogs.com, bbc.co.uk, mentalfloss.com, primehealthchannel.com
