Fast Facts
November 19, 2007
The term “”strike”” originated in 1768 when British sailors refused to work and showed this by “”striking,”” or lowering, the sails on their ship.
Armadillos can be housebroken.
When the walkie-talkie was first introduced commercially, in 1934, it was described as a “”portable super-regenerative receiver and transmitter.””
A rat can survive longer without water than a camel.
The brachiosaurus had a heart the size of a pickup truck.
The antibiotic nystatin, which is used chiefly to treat fungal infections like thrush, is named after New York state, where it was developed.
The only Dutch word to contain eight consecutive consonants is angstschreeuw, meaning “”cry of fear.””
Three times as many reported shark attacks have occurred on the Pacific coast of North America than anywhere else in the world.
Contrary to popular belief, the day after Thanksgiving is not the biggest shopping day of the year. Typically, it’s the last Saturday before Christmas.
“”Optical yellow”” became the preferred color for tennis balls only after the game was regularly televised, because it showed up better on-camera.
Since it was discovered in 1930, Pluto has moved less than one-third of the way around the Sun in its estimated 248-year orbit.
Honolulu is closer to the equator than any other U.S. state capital.
A church council in the 12th century declared: “”A Christian man is bound to chastise his wife moderately.””
The film “”The Ten Commandments,”” in which Charlton Heston plays Moses, was the biggest movie box office earner of the 1950s.
