NationStates Jolt Archive


Random trivia, factoids, whatever

Czardas
05-07-2005, 21:11
Yes I am bored...so I'm starting this thread designed for people to list trivia, factoids, little-known and useless things...you know what I mean.
I'll start: The letter "c" does not occur in any number until "one octillion".
Verghastinsel
05-07-2005, 21:14
No word in the English language rhymes with 'Orange'.
Mennon
05-07-2005, 21:16
The City of Nottingham used to be called Snottingham (Place of Snot's People), but was changed because the Normans could not pronounce "sn" so the dropped the S.

Another useful fact (or useful if your a student), Nottingham as the highest ration of pubs to students in the UK.
Kroblexskij
05-07-2005, 21:18
It is legal to shoot a welshman with a crossbow, within the walls on York after 10 PM.
Mennon
05-07-2005, 21:21
It is legal to shoot a welshman with a crossbow, within the walls on York after 10 PM.

I thought it was Scotsmen?
Verghastinsel
05-07-2005, 21:27
I thought it was Scotsmen?

Nope, it's the Welsh. And it's still law that very man over the age of fourteen own a longbow or crossbow and practice with it for six hours after church every Sunday.
I V Stalin
05-07-2005, 21:33
It is legal to shoot a welshman with a crossbow, within the walls on York after 10 PM.
No, it's not. Laws have been passed since then which override that one. For example, the law against murder. Jeez, I hate it when people claim that one.
Anyway, random trivium: The only two seven-letter English words which contain all 5 vowels have the vowels in the same order - sequoia and eulogia.
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 21:59
No word in the English language rhymes with 'Orange'.
I don't think anything rhymes with "purple" either. Since all the other words have someone to rhyme with I think we should decree that Orange now rhymes with Purple in the interest of fairness.
The Tribes Of Longton
05-07-2005, 22:01
I don't think anything rhymes with "purple" either. Since all the other words have someone to rhyme with I think we should decree that Orange now rhymes with Purple in the interest of fairness.
Obviously something rhymes with purple, otherwise where did the 'purple nurple' come from? :p
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 22:03
A huge number of cactii contain chemicals related to Mescaline. One of the highest in Mescaline content, San Pedro cactus, is legal to grow in the USA.
Children of Valkyrja
05-07-2005, 22:06
If you fry or hard boil a penguin's egg, the liquid around the yoke does not turn white, it stays translusant.
Philistina
05-07-2005, 22:10
if you take your watch and point 1200 at the sun, halfway between 1200 and the hour hand is north
Philistina
05-07-2005, 22:15
your foot is the length from your wrist to your elbow
Hemingsoft
05-07-2005, 22:19
Just in case anyone is ever in the state of Ohio, here in th US, don't ever get drunk and decide it would be fun to try to get the fish, cause here in Ohio it is illegal to pour alcohol into a fishtank.
Aurumankh
05-07-2005, 22:26
The Rubik's Cube can exist in 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different permutations
San haiti
05-07-2005, 22:30
Hmm, I'm not entirely sure of the following factoid's truthfulness but I have it on quite good authority that in England the only time it is legal for anyone to run a red light is in the case of a postman delivering a declaration of war.
Philistina
05-07-2005, 22:31
"The Rubik's Cube can exist in 43,252,003,274,489,856,000 different permutations"


wouldn't the arrangments of the other faces also count, making it a matter of number of combinations not permutations?
Defuniak
05-07-2005, 22:39
The Papacy Granted The "Papal States" To The Italians For Official Independnce.
Excuse my spelling. :headbang:
Defuniak
05-07-2005, 22:41
During the age of sail, sailors washed in urine. : :eek:
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 22:42
If you can extract the americium from about 300,000,000 smoke detectors you would have enough americium to build a fission bomb.
Defuniak
05-07-2005, 22:43
The Byzantine Capital Of Constantinople fell to the ottoman turks do to a bribed gateman who left a small portcullis open.
The Tribes Of Longton
05-07-2005, 22:43
If you can extract the americium from about 300,000,000 smoke detectors you would have enough americium to build a fission bomb.

^^As that kid did in his shed, somewhere in backwater US
British Socialism
05-07-2005, 22:46
The peanut is not a nut, it is a lagume...phew!
A daddy long legs has the strongest poison known to man. It cannot administer the poison however as it has no teeth.
A koala bears fingerprints are so similar to that of a humans, they could be confused at the scene of a crime.
Elephants have been caught swimming over 2 miles off shore.
A cow can walk upstairs, but not down.

Guess where I got this amusing set from? Any reputable comedy fan should answer this without difficulty....answer damn you! :mp5:
The Tribes Of Longton
05-07-2005, 22:47
Hmm, I'm not entirely sure of the following factoid's truthfulness but I have it on quite good authority that in England the only time it is legal for anyone to run a red light is in the case of a postman delivering a declaration of war.
What about the police, ambulance and fire services? Or are you discounting them?
British Socialism
05-07-2005, 22:49
What about the police, ambulance and fire services? Or are you discounting them?

We have blue lights...I think...do we have red? Help me out citizens of the Great Empire! *Salutes Queen*

Yes, all our emergency service lights are blue. Its possible.
Frisbeeteria
05-07-2005, 22:56
67.4% of all NS threads with "Random" in the title are eventually locked as spam.

82.5% of all NS threads with "I'm bored" in the title are dumped to the Spam forum within 29.3 hours.



* Statistics have not been established for threads with "Random" in the title and "I am bored" in the first post, but I'd be willing to bet they are fairly high as well.
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 22:57
Bug spray and nerve gas are in the same class of chemicals. They're organophosphates. A factory that can produce one can switch production to the other in a fairly short period of time and with minimal expense. If you plan to build a secret chemical weapons program it's smart to disguise it as an insecticide factory.
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 22:58
^^As that kid did in his shed, somewhere in backwater US
He didn't collect enough to build a bomb, just enough to make his shed radioactive and get the authorities involved.
British Socialism
05-07-2005, 22:59
If I make up a random statistic there is 99.9% chance it is wrong.

88% of statistics are made up on the spot - Vic Reeves
Yetiopolis
05-07-2005, 22:59
The Byzantine Capital Of Constantinople fell to the ottoman turks do to a bribed gateman who left a small portcullis open.

Now its Istanbul, not Constantinople...
/me starts singing
The Tribes Of Longton
05-07-2005, 23:01
We have blue lights...I think...do we have red? Help me out citizens of the Great Empire! *Salutes Queen*

Yes, all our emergency service lights are blue. Its possible.
I thought by 'running a red light' he meant passing through traffic lights on red. Sorry.
British Socialism
05-07-2005, 23:01
No word in the English language rhymes with 'Orange'.

I will change that. I have spawned the word Blorange. If I make it popular, I will destroy that statistic
British Socialism
05-07-2005, 23:02
I thought by 'running a red light' he meant passing through traffic lights on red. Sorry.

Oh maybe he did....but of course that would be wrong.
The Downmarching Void
05-07-2005, 23:06
1. Red Crayola Crayons taste like burning. Crstal Meth tastes like burning, ergo, Crystal Meth tastes like Red Crayola Crayons.

2. Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.

3. In order for a dill pickle to be legal for sale in Chicago, Illinois, it must bounce to the height of your kneecap when dropped from shoulder height.

4. Duct Tape (tm) is useless for repairing ducts.
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 23:18
If you poke a baboon hard in the stomach with your finger it will bite you.
Perkeleenmaa
05-07-2005, 23:34
A daddy long legs has the strongest poison known to man. It cannot administer the poison however as it has no teeth.
Not true - did you watch Mythbusters? The poison is much less poisonous than black widow poison.

But. Duck Tape(tm) is named "duck" because it's waterproof. It was originally used to seal ammunition containers from atmospheric moisture. People have misheard the name as "duct tape".

Doesn't "binge" rhyme with "orange"?
Drunk commies deleted
05-07-2005, 23:42
But. Duck Tape(tm) is named "duck" because it's waterproof. It was originally used to seal ammunition containers from atmospheric moisture. People have misheard the name as "duct tape".


Actually I think the guys who work on HVAC ducts use it to seal them up. That's why it's called duct tape.
The boldly courageous
05-07-2005, 23:43
Leonardi Da Vinci purported to be first to design a parachute. His inspiration for it came from seeing a jellyfish.
The boldly courageous
05-07-2005, 23:48
Also one more.... the childrens rhyme ring around the rosey was purported to tell the story of the plague in Europe

Ring around the Rosey = description of a physical manifestation of the disease. I believe in the area of the underarm.

Pocket full of Poseys = Poseys were believed to ward off the illness and were carried around in the pockets of practioners.

Ashes, Ashes = Refers to the method of disposing of corpses; by fire.

We all fall down = Refers the decimation/death of europe's population.

Though this is only one contested interpretation, see link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_around_a_rosie
Leonstein
06-07-2005, 02:40
Food is simply shit waiting to happen...
JuNii
06-07-2005, 02:52
$1.19 is the most you can have in US coins and still not change a dollar.
3 quarters = .75
4 Dimes = .40
4 Pennies = .04

you cannot fold a paper in half more than 7 times.
Dragons Bay
06-07-2005, 03:02
It is illegal to play a musical instrument in any public park or garden in Hong Kong. Do that and you risk fining.
Dragons Bay
06-07-2005, 03:04
There are three types of $10 units in Hong Kong, including 2 types of bills and 1 type of coin.

In Hong Kong, you cannot pay more than $2 with only 10c, 20c or 50c, and you cannot pay more than $100 with only $1, $2 and $5. But 100 $1 coins is enough to kill anybody. :D
JuNii
06-07-2005, 03:05
It is illegal to play a musical instrument in any public park or garden in Hong Kong. Do that and you risk fining.
I heard you can also get arrested for chewing gum in public?
Trexia
06-07-2005, 03:06
I am possibly the only person able to lick my own elbow. Please reply if you can too. Otherwise, I shall claim the title. If you guys must know how I do it to prove that I really can, my scapula is able to move outward, away from my back, I push my right elbow back with my left hand, and my tounge is able to go around the elbow. Amazing, no?
JuNii
06-07-2005, 03:09
I am possibly the only person able to lick my own elbow. Please reply if you can too. Otherwise, I shall claim the title. If you guys must know how I do it to prove that I really can, my scapula is able to move outward, away from my back, I push my right elbow back with my left hand, and my tounge is able to go around the elbow. Amazing, no?Ahh... but can you put your elbow into your ear?

(Amazing... was this a result of an accident?)
Dragons Bay
06-07-2005, 03:09
I heard you can also get arrested for chewing gum in public?
No no. That's Singapore.

I also know that you can be fined for being naked around your house except for baths and showers in Singapore.
Trexia
06-07-2005, 03:11
Ahh... but can you put your elbow into your ear?

(Amazing... was this a result of an accident?)
No and no, I was born with the scapula thing.
Dragons Bay
06-07-2005, 03:11
I am possibly the only person able to lick my own elbow. Please reply if you can too. Otherwise, I shall claim the title. If you guys must know how I do it to prove that I really can, my scapula is able to move outward, away from my back, I push my right elbow back with my left hand, and my tounge is able to go around the elbow. Amazing, no?

One of my friends can, but since he isn't on NS, I'll allow you to claim the title, lol...

Do you do yoga?
CthulhuFhtagn
06-07-2005, 03:13
your foot is the length from your wrist to your elbow
No, it's not.

The SCOTUS has declared the tomato to be a vegetable.
There is a gene in fruit flies called "sonic hedgehog".
"Satan" is actually pronounced "SAH-tahn", not "SAY-tin".
Avarhierrim
06-07-2005, 03:14
you cannot fold a paper in half more than 7 times.

actually I think I read a scientific magazine that said more.
Battery Charger
06-07-2005, 03:15
After constructing his first cube, it took Erno Rubik two weeks to solve it. He wasn't sure it could ever be done at first.
Avarhierrim
06-07-2005, 03:16
Muhammed is the most common first name.

You do not get knee caps till the ages of 2-6
CthulhuFhtagn
06-07-2005, 03:23
Leonardo da Vinci designed the first helicopter. It was recently built. It couldn't fly.
Battery Charger
06-07-2005, 03:24
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota was once called "Pig's Eye."
JuNii
06-07-2005, 03:25
Taken from HERE (http://www.legal-forms-kit.com/legal-jokes/dumb-laws.html)
(Apologies for the long post.)

Alabama
It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
It is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church.
Putting salt on a railroad track may be punishable by death.
It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street if you have a lantern attached to the front of your automobile.
You must have windshield wipers on your car.
Men may not spit in front of the opposite sex.

Alaska
Moose may not be viewed from an airplane.
It is considered an offense to push a live moose out of a moving airplane.
It is considered an offense to feed alcoholic beverages to a moose.

Arizona
Hunting camels is prohibited.
There is a possible 25 years in prison for cutting down a cactus.
When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person posseses.
You may not have more than two dildos in a house.
It is illegal for men and women over the age of 18 to have less than one missing tooth visible when smiling.

Arkansas
A man can legally beat his wife, but not more than once a month.
Oral sex is considered to be sodomy.

California
Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.
It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.
No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour.
Many animals are illegal to own as pets, including snails, sloths, and elephants.
Nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool.
It is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2 inches without her consent.
It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.
Molesting butterflies can result in a $500 fine.
It is illegal for a secretary to be alone in a room with her boss.
One may not carry a lunch down the street between 11 and 1 o'clock.
Persons classified as "ugly" may not walk down any street.
It is illegal to pile horse manure more than six feet high on a street corner.
Giving or receiving oral sex is prohibited.

Colorado
Car dealers may not show cars on a Sunday.
It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence.

Connecticut
In order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce.
It is illegal to dispose of used razor blades.
You may not educate dogs.

Delaware
It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink.

Florida
If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
Having sexual relations with a porcupine is illegal.
When having sex, only the missionary position is legal.
You may not fart in a public place after 6 P.M. on Thursdays.
It is considered an offense to shower naked.
You are not allowed to break more than three dishes per day, or chip the edges of more than four cups and/or saucers.
Oral sex is illegal.

Georgia
It is illegal to use profanity in front of a dead body which lies in a funeral home or in a coroners office.
Signs are required to be written in English.
Against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp.
One man may not be on another man's back.
It is illegal for a chicken to cross the road.
Though it is illegal to spit from a car or bus, citizens may spit from a truck.

Hawaii
Coins are not allowed to be placed in one's ears.
All residents may be fined as a result of not owning a boat.
Billboards are outlawed.

Idaho
Illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.
You may not fish on a camel's back.
Riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is considered a crime.
If a police officer approaches a vehicle and suspects that the occupants are engaging in sex, he must either honk, or flash his lights and wait for three minutes before approaching the car.

Illinois
You may be convicted of a Class 4 felony offense, punishable by up to three years in state prison, for the crime of "eavesdropping" on your own conversation.
Law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.
It is illegal to give a dog whiskey.
It is considered an offense to attempt to have sex with one's dog.

Indiana
A man over the age of 18 may be arrested for statutory rape if the passenger in his car is not wearing her socks and shoes, and is under the age of 17.
It is illegal for a liquor store to sell cold soft drinks.
Liquor stores may not sell milk.
No one may catch a fish with his bare hands.
Men are prohibited from standing in a bar.
You are not allowed to carry a cocktail from the bar to a table. The waiter or waitress has to do it.
Drinks on the house are illegal.
It is illegal for a man to be sexually aroused in public.
Within four hours of eating garlic, a person may not enter a movie house, theater, or ride a public streetcar.
It is illegal for barbers to threaten to cut off kid's ears.

Iowa
Kisses may last for no more than five minutes.
One-armed piano players must perform for free.
A man with a mustache may never kiss a woman in public.
It is a violation of the law to sell or distribute drugs or narcotics without having first obtained the appropriate Iowa drug tax stamp.

Kansas
Rabbits may not be shot from motorboats.
No one may catch fish with his bare hands.
The state game rule prohibits the use of mules to hunt ducks.
If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.

Kentucky
It is illegal to fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky.
It's illegal to fish in the Ohio River in Kentucky without an Indiana Fishing License.
All bees entering Kentucky shall be accompanied by certificates of health, stating that the
apiary from which the bees came was free from contagious or infectious disease.
By law, anyone who has been drinking is "sober" until he or she "cannot hold onto the ground."

Louisiana
It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
You may not tie an alligator to a fire hydrant.

Maine
You may not step out of a plane in flight.
Shoelaces must be tied while walking down the street.

Maryland
It's illegal to take a lion to the movies.
You may not curse inside the city limits.
You can not have a antenna exposed outside of your house yet you can have a 25' satellite dish.
Eating while swimming in the ocean is prohibited.

Massachusetts
It's illegal to keep a mule on the second floor of a building not in a city unless there are 2 exits.
It's illegal to sell fewer than 24 ducklings at a time before May 1, or to sell rabbits, chicks, or ducklings that have been painted a different color.
No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.
Children may smoke, but they may not purchase cigarettes.
Affiliation with the Communist party is illegal.
It is illegal to frighten a pigeon.
Peeping in the windows of automobiles is forbidden.

Michigan
A woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.
It is legal for a robber to file a law suit, if he or she got hurt in your house.
You may not swear in front of women and children in the state of Michigan.
Any person over the age of 12 may have a license for a handgun as long as he/she has not been convicted of a felony.
Smoking while in bed is illegal.

Minnesota
All men driving motorcycles must wear shirts.
Oral sex is prohibited.
Hamburgers may not be eaten on Sundays.

Mississippi
Unnatural intercourse, if both parties voluntarily participate, results in a maximum sentence of 10 years and $10,000.
It is illegal for a male to be sexually aroused in public.
It is illegal to drive around the town square more than 100 times in a single session.

Missouri
Hard objects may not be thrown by hand.
Minors can buy rolling paper and tobacco but not lighters.
Four women may not rent an apartment together.

Montana
It is a felony for a wife to open her husband's mail.
It is illegal to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.
Balls may not be thrown within the city limits.

Nebraska
If a child burps during church, his parent may be arrested.
It is Illegal to go whale fishing.
Barbers are forbidden from eating onions between 7 A.M. and 7 P.M.

Nevada
It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.
A man is forbidden from buying drinks for more than three people other than himself at any one period during the day.

New Hampshire
You cannot sell the clothes you are wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
If a person is caught raking the beaches, picking up litter, hauling away trash, building a bench for the park, or many other kind things without a permit, he/she may be fined $150 for ''maintaining the national forest without a permit''.

New Jersey
You cannot pump your own gas. All gas stations are full service and full service only.
On a highway you can not park under a bridge.
It is against the law to "frown" at a police officer.
If you have been convicted of driving while intoxicated, you may never again apply for personalized license plates.
It is illegal to offer whiskey or cigarettes to animals at the local zoo.
Raw hamburger may not be sold.

New Mexico
State officials ordered 400 words of "sexually explicit material" to be cut from Romeo and Juliet.
It's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public.

New York
It is against the law to throw a ball at someone's head for fun.
The penalty for jumping off a building is death.
A person may not walk around on Sundays with an ice cream cone in his/her pocket.
While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door.
Slippers are not to be worn after 10:00 P.M.
During a concert, it is illegal to eat peanuts and walk backwards on the sidewalks.
You may not smoke within 100 feet of the entrance to a public building.
Women may go topless in public, providing it is not being used as a business.
You may only water your lawn if the hose is held in your hand
It is illegal for a father to call his son a "faggot" or "queer" in an effort to curb "girlie behavior."

North Carolina
Elephants may not be used to plow cotton fields.
If a man and a woman who aren't married go to a hotel/motel and register themselves as married then, according to state law, they are legally married.
All couples staying overnight in a hotel must have a room with double beds that are at least two feet apart. Making love in the space between the beds is strictly forbidden.
It is illegal to have sex in a churchyard.
A marriage can be declared void if either of the two persons is physically impotent.
Fights between cats and dogs are prohibited.
You may not ride a bicycle without having both your hands on the handle bars.
It is against the law to rollerblade on a state highway.

North Dakota
Beer and pretzels can't be served at the same time in any bar or restaurant.
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on.
It is legal to shoot an Indian on horseback, provided you are in a covered wagon.

Ohio
It is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday.
It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
The Ohio driver's education manual states that you must honk the horn whenever you pass another car.
Breast feeding is not allowed in public.
It is illegal for more than five women to live in a house.
Owners of tigers must notify authorities within one hour if the tiger escapes.
No one may be arrested on Sunday or on the Fourth of July.
It's illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.
Items left on a tree lawn become city property. A young man was fined for removing an item from a tree lawn even though he had the owner's permission.
You cannot eat a doughnut and walk backwards on a city street.
It is against the law to roller skate without notifying the police.
A policeman may bite a dog to quiet him.
Throwing a snake at anyone is illegal.
Riding on the roof of a taxi cab is not allowed.
You may not run out of gas.

Oklahoma
Violators can be fined, arrested or jailed for making ugly faces at a dog.
Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.
Anyone arrested for soliciting a hooker must have their name and picture shown on television.
It's statutory rape for a man over 18 to have sex with a female under the age of 18, provided she's a virgin. If she's not a virgin, it is okay, but the said person must be over 16. If both parties are under 18, then the law does not apply.
Tattoos are banned.
It is illegal to wear your boots to bed.
It is illegal to have sex before you are married.
Fish may not be contained in fishbowls while on a public bus.
Tissues are not to be found in the back of one's car.
If you wear New York Jets clothing, you may be put in jail.
Molesting an automobile is illegal.
Women may not gamble in the nude, in lingerie, or while wearing a towel.

Oregon
It is illegal to whisper "dirty" things in your lover's ear during sex.
It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana, but it is legal to smoke it on your own property.
You may not pump your own gas in service stations.
Canned corn is not to be used as bait for fishing.
It's against the law for a wedding ceremony to be performed at a skating rink.
People may not whistle underwater.
Ministers are forbidden from eating garlic or onions before delivering a sermon.
One may not box with a kangaroo.
It is against the law for animals to have sex in the city limits.
No more than two people may share a single drink.

Pennsylvania
It is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel. However up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.
You may not sing in the bathtub.
Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.
Ministers are forbidden from performing marriages when either the bride or groom is drunk.
Motorized vehicles are not to be sold on Sundays.
You may not catch a fish with your hands.
You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth.
Dynamite is not to be used to catch fish.
Though you do not need a fishing license to fish on your own land, but a hunting license is required to hunt on your own land.
All fire hydrants must be checked one hour before all fires.
No one is allowed to sleep on a refrigerator.

Rhode Island
Professional sports, except ice polo and hockey, must obtain a license to play games on Sunday.
It is considered an offense to throw pickle juice on a trolley.
You may not sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.

South Carolina
It is a capital offense to inadvertently kill someone while attempting suicide.
It is perfectly legal to beat your wife on the court house steps on Sundays.
It is illegal to give or receive oral sex in South Carolina.
It is illegal to sell any alcoholic beverages on Sunday, unless you own a private club.
Horses may not be kept in bathtubs.
By law, if a man promises to marry an unmarried woman, the marriage must take place.

South Dakota
It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.
Movies that show police officers being struck, beaten, or treated in an offensive manner are forbidden.
If there are more than 5 Native Americans on your property you may shoot them.

Tennessee
You can't shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile.
It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
"Crimes against nature" are prohibited.
Driving is not to be done while asleep.
The age of consent is 16, but 12 if the girl is a virgin.
It is legal to gather and consume road kill
It is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date.
It's illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM.

Texas
When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.
It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.
You can be legally married by publickly introducing a person as your husband or wife 3 times.
It is illegal to drive without windshield wipers. You don't need a windshield, but you must have the wipers.
It is illegal to milk another person's cow.

Utah
It is against the law to fish from horseback.
It is illegal not to drink milk.
It is illegal to detonate any nuclear weapon. You can have them, but you just can't detonate them.
Birds have the right of way on all highways.
It's legal for restaurants to serve wine with meals, but only if you ask for the wine list.
It is considered an offense to hunt whales.
Throwing snowballs will result in a $50 fine.

Vermont
Whistling underwater is illegal
At one time it was illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole.
Women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.

Virginia
You cannot sell lettuce on Sunday, but you can sell beer, wine etc.
It is illegal to spit on sidewalk.
If one is not married, it is illegal for him to have sexual relations.
Driving while not wearing shoes is prohibited.
It is illegal to tickle women.

Washington
It is illegal to paint polka dots on the American flag.
People may not buy a mattress on Sunday.
It is illegal to pretend that one's parents are rich.
When two trains come to a crossing, neither shall go until the other has passed.

West Virginia
It is legal for a male to have sex with an animal as long as it does not exceed 40 lbs.
Doctors and dentists may not place a woman under anesthesia unless a third person is present.
Road Kill may be taken home for supper.
Whistling underwater is prohibited.

Wisconsin
At one time, margarine was illegal.
While all cheese making requires a license, Limburger cheese making requires a master cheese maker's license.
It is illegal to kiss on a train.
It is illegal to wake a fireman when he is asleep.

Wyoming
It is illegal for women to stand within five feet of a bar while drinking.
You may not take a picture of a rabbit during the month of June.
Xenophobialand
06-07-2005, 03:26
You do not get knee caps till the ages of 2-6

I'm calling bullshit on that one. It would be well-nigh impossible to walk without a kneecap.

Contrary to what mothers everywhere have said, gum takes as much time to pass through the digestive tract as anything else. It does not stay in the tube for 7 years.
Dragons Bay
06-07-2005, 03:27
Leonardo da Vinci designed the first helicopter. It was recently built. It couldn't fly.
I watched a documentary on da Vinci's inventions some years ago. One of the points raised was that inventors of the time deliberately changed some critical details in their designs so other people can't copy them directly, make them work, and claim it as their own invention.
JuNii
06-07-2005, 03:49
I think I heard somewhere that Dr. Suess (forgot his real name) actually hated kids.
Battery Charger
06-07-2005, 03:49
Junii, that list kind of sucks. There are laws against various types of sex in many states. And several states have "blue laws" prohibiting the sale of some things on Sundays. Some of them are bizarre and therefore interesting, but most are just stupid.
I can't believe that the list doesn't mention that it's illegal in Minnesota to shoot an indian from a tree (as though it would be okay from the ground).
Deviltrainee
06-07-2005, 03:55
your foot is the length from your wrist to your elbow
that is false mine is longer, not everyone is the same u stupid bloke

random triva: i pee once a day
Haloman
06-07-2005, 03:56
No no. That's Singapore.

I also know that you can be fined for being naked around your house except for baths and showers in Singapore.

They also have very extreme gun control. No one besides their military and police can have guns. Knives over 4 inches long are no allowed, unless they are cooking knives.
JuNii
06-07-2005, 04:00
Junii, that list kind of sucks. There are laws against various types of sex in many states. And several states have "blue laws" prohibiting the sale of some things on Sundays. Some of them are bizarre and therefore interesting, but most are just stupid.
I can't believe that the list doesn't mention that it's illegal in Minnesota to shoot an indian from a tree (as though it would be okay from the ground).
Why do you think it's from a site call 'DUMB' laws. :D
New Fubaria
06-07-2005, 04:08
Random trivia fact # 3684 - there once was a popular and long lived trivia thread that was closed for some arcane and nebulous reason...:( (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=361189)
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 04:16
Yippity-skip. Another "lets be ignorant and spam up the place with urban legends.

A daddy long legs has the strongest poison known to man. It cannot administer the poison however as it has no teeth.

Nope. Daddy-longlegs don't have poison glands. Daddy-longlegs spiders do have poison glads, but have never been tested for toxicology, so the claim fails there as well.
BTW, the "standard" version of this urban legend is that the teeth are too short to penitrate human skin.

Daddy-longlegs (Opiliones) - these arachnids make their living by eating decomposing vegetative and animal matter although are opportunist predators if they can get away with it. They do not have venom glands, fangs or any other mechanism for chemically subduing their food. Therefore, they do not have poison and, by the powers of logic, cannot be poisonous from venom. Some have defensive secretions that might be poisonous to small animals if ingested. So, for these daddy-long-legs, the tale is clearly false.

Daddy-longlegs spiders (Pholcidae) - Here, the myth is incorrect at least in making claims that have no basis in known facts. There is no reference to any pholcid spider biting a human and causing any detrimental reaction. If these spiders were indeed deadly poisonous but couldn't bite humans, then the only way we would know that they are poisonous is by milking them and injecting the venom into humans. For a variety of reasons including Amnesty International and a humanitarian code of ethics, this research has never been done. Furthermore, there are no toxicological studies testing the lethality of pholcid venom on any mammalian system (this is usually done with mice). Therefore, no information is available on the likely toxic effects of their venom in humans, so the part of the myth about their being especially poisonous is just that: a myth. There is no scientific basis for the supposition that they are deadly poisonous and there is no reason to assume that it is true.

http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html

A koala bears fingerprints are so similar to that of a humans, they could be confused at the scene of a crime.

Surprisngly, that appears to be true.
link (http://exn.ca/Templates/printstory.asp?PageName=Discovery&story_id=1996121101)

Elephants have been caught swimming over 2 miles off shore.
True (http://www.upali.ch/swim_en.html)

A cow can walk upstairs, but not down.


"Hirple" and "curple" rhyme with purple.
"Door-hinge" rhymes with orange.
I can lick my elbow, and so can everyone here.

Duct Tape was indeed invented to seal ammunition cases. And yes, it is used
for ducts.

Adhesive tape (specifically masking tape) was invented in the 1920's by Richard Drew of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Co. (3M). Duct tape (the WWII military version) was first created and manufactured in 1942 (approximate date) by the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division. Its closest predecessor was medical tape.
The original use was to keep moisture out of the ammunition cases. Because it was waterproof, people referred to the tape as "Duck Tape." Also, the tape was made using cotton duck - similar to what was used in their cloth medical tapes. Military personnel quickly discovered that the tape was very versatile and used it to fix their guns, jeeps, aircraft, etc. After the war, the tape was used in the booming housing industry to connect heating and air conditioning duct work together.
Soon, the color was changed from Army green to silver to match the ductwork and people started to refer to duck tape as "Duct Tape." Things changed during the 1970s, when the partners at Manco, Inc. placed rolls of duct tape in shrink wrap, making it easier for retailers to stack the sticky rolls. Different grades and colors of duct tape weren´t far behind. Soon, duct tape became the most versatile tool in the household.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/ducttape.htm
LostHorizons
06-07-2005, 04:21
Not true - did you watch Mythbusters? The poison is much less poisonous than black widow poison.

But. Duck Tape(tm) is named "duck" because it's waterproof. It was originally used to seal ammunition containers from atmospheric moisture. People have misheard the name as "duct tape".

Doesn't "binge" rhyme with "orange"?

no, then a whole bunch of words would rhyme with orange, like hinge and whinge and cringe. its the "ann" sound that stops them from rhyming, as compared to the "inn" sound
New Fubaria
06-07-2005, 04:21
They tested the daddy long legs myth out on Mythbusters, and proved pretty conclusively that it's venom was only a fraction as potent as, say, a black widow's...

I see someone has already pointed that out :D
JuNii
06-07-2005, 04:22
Don't you know anything...
Duct tape is the Force that George Lucas is talking about...

Think about it.
It has a Light Side,
It has a Dark Side,
and it holds the Universe together. :D
Aurumankh
06-07-2005, 04:27
I am possibly the only person able to lick my own elbow. Please reply if you can too. Otherwise, I shall claim the title. If you guys must know how I do it to prove that I really can, my scapula is able to move outward, away from my back, I push my right elbow back with my left hand, and my tounge is able to go around the elbow. Amazing, no?

I know someone who can do that... he does some crazy stuff with his arms, and he's going to have the worst arthreitis in the world when he's older.
CthulhuFhtagn
06-07-2005, 04:28
no, then a whole bunch of words would rhyme with orange, like hinge and whinge and cringe. its the "ann" sound that stops them from rhyming, as compared to the "inn" sound
Who the hell pronounces it with an "ann" sound? It's pronounced with an "inn" sound.

As noted above, doorhinge rhymes with orange, at least if you're in southern New England.
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 04:35
no, then a whole bunch of words would rhyme with orange, like hinge and whinge and cringe. its the "ann" sound that stops them from rhyming, as compared to the "inn" sound

Although I am having trouble finding a postable pronunciation key for the others, here is one for orange:
Main Entry: or·ange
Pronunciation: 'är-inj, 'or-
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=orange

Note the "i" sound. I can't seem to find any pronunciation key that has it as "or-änj".

If you'll visit these, you'll find that "whinge", "cringe", and "hinge" do rhyme with orange.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=hinge
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cringe
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=whinge
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 04:38
I know someone who can do that... he does some crazy stuff with his arms, and he's going to have the worst arthreitis in the world when he's older.

There is no need to do "crazy stuff" with one's arms in order to lick one's elbow. Simply hold your arm in front of your face, a la Dracula hiding behind his cape, and lick away. It is very, very easy.
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 04:43
They tested the daddy long legs myth out on Mythbusters, and proved pretty conclusively that it's venom was only a fraction as potent as, say, a black widow's...

I see someone has already pointed that out :D

Daddy-longlegs have no venom. I again point you to this site:
http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html

(And I would hope that the UCR department of entomology carries more weight on this mater than the Muthbusters. ;))
JuNii
06-07-2005, 04:43
There is no need to do "crazy stuff" with one's arms in order to lick one's elbow. Simply hold your arm in front of your face, a la Dracula hiding behind his cape, and lick away. It is very, very easy.
LOL... well technically that's correct... :D (damn, there was a time where I would've thought of that... getting too old.)

but I think they mean the outside of the elbow.
New Fubaria
06-07-2005, 04:48
Daddy-longlegs have no venom. I again point you to this site:
http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html

(And I would hope that the UCR department of entomology carries more weight on this mater than the Muthbusters. ;))
It would depend on exactly which daddy long legs we are talking about. Your own source says that there are (at least) two creatures referred to as "daddy lond legs" - I believe the ones tested on Mythbusters were actually Pholcidae, not Opiliones. And you are correct - Opiliones have no venom. All true spiders, including Pholcidae, do carry venom, however.
Rature
06-07-2005, 04:55
you cannot fold a paper in half more than 7 times.
i just folded a piece of paper 8 times you just have to be smarter than the paper :)
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 05:58
It would depend on exactly which daddy long legs we are talking about. Your own source says that there are (at least) two creatures referred to as "daddy lond legs" - I believe the ones tested on Mythbusters were actually Pholcidae, not Opiliones. And you are correct - Opiliones have no venom. All true spiders, including Pholcidae, do carry venom, however.

But Pholcidae are Daddy-longleg spiders. ;) (Spliting hairs, I know.)
Daistallia 2104
06-07-2005, 05:59
LOL... well technically that's correct... :D (damn, there was a time where I would've thought of that... getting too old.)

but I think they mean the outside of the elbow.

Yep. But the statement doesn't say that....
Liverbreath
06-07-2005, 06:13
John Kennedy a member of the NRA was shot by Oswald a member of the ACLU.
Battery Charger
06-07-2005, 07:57
'Bookkeeper' is the only word in the English language with 3 consecutive double letters.
Boonytopia
06-07-2005, 09:16
The record for the most cans of beer consumed on the Melbourne to London flight is 52.
I V Stalin
06-07-2005, 12:11
There is a gene in fruit flies called "sonic hedgehog".
Actually, 'sonic hedgehog' is a signalling protein encoded by a gene. And humans have it as well. There's another protein called 'noggin'.
Trexia
13-07-2005, 16:23
LOL... well technically that's correct... :D (damn, there was a time where I would've thought of that... getting too old.)

but I think they mean the outside of the elbow.
Thank you. I don't know if he was being sarcastic or just plain stupid though...
Daistallia 2104
13-07-2005, 17:23
Thank you. I don't know if he was being sarcastic or just plain stupid though...

Neither. Highly irritated. That's just one of those damned stupid, wrong "factoids" that float around the net, like the "duck's quack" one. Both are wrong, and both are just plain ignorant, and it irritates me when I see either one being posted as a "real life true fact!" (>.<)
Baranxtu
13-07-2005, 18:46
Random German Fact: It's technically impossible to find a 'longest german word', unless you specify what you mean by 'word'.

Random Austria Fact: Vienna became a separate bundesland to be a counterweight to conservative dominated Lower Austria.

Random Austria Fact: The flag of Lower Austria is the only one that does not contain one of the colors of the Austrian Flag (red and/or white). There are only two flags who do not contain red, those of Lower Austria and Styria.

Random Boasting Fact: For 3 years now, I've only gotten A's on my English tests.
The Downmarching Void
13-07-2005, 19:23
"Hirple" and "curple" rhyme with purple.
"Door-hinge" rhymes with orange.
I can lick my elbow, and so can everyone here.

Duct Tape was indeed invented to seal ammunition cases. And yes, it is used
for ducts.




Yes, Duct Tape can be used for Ducts, but does a terrible job.

Door-hinge only ryhmes with Orange if someone speaks english with the same accent as yourself. Its orAnge, not orInge. By your estimation, syringe would also ryhme with orange.
JuNii
14-07-2005, 04:00
I've posted this elsewhere. but...


People born and raised in Hawaii tend to be immune to the effects of Poison Oak, Sumac and Ivy.


And I tested this out on myself...
Test: for 2 weeks I went rolling around in a poison Sumac bush. (not on purpose)
Results: Immune!
The Sadistic Skinhead
14-07-2005, 04:05
Random Fact: i got my police record check back and i have no convictions
Lovfro
14-07-2005, 05:16
During sex, a male rabit will urinate on the female.

This makes 'going at it like rabbits' pretty disgusting.
Daistallia 2104
14-07-2005, 05:17
Yes, Duct Tape can be used for Ducts, but does a terrible job.

Door-hinge only ryhmes with Orange if someone speaks english with the same accent as yourself. Its orAnge, not orInge. By your estimation, syringe would also ryhme with orange.

Feel free to argue that.
However, I'm going to take the word of the dictionary's pronounciation keys I linked over some random guy. :)
I'll also note that I work in an environment with English speakers from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. I have yet to hear orange pronounced as [är-änj] or [or-änj], only [är-inj] or [or-inj].
And yes, according to the pronunciation keys of three different dictionaries, syringe (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=syringe) also rhymes with orange (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=orange). Thanks for the additional rhyme! It should help shut this silly one down the next time it pops up. :D
I Still Like Oranges
14-07-2005, 16:57
Nothing properly rhymes with orange because Oranges are great and much better than all of you!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, syringe is pretty close actually but not a proper rhyme.

And why do people say there is no rhyming word for month?
i can think of loads (unless you over pronunciate the th sound at the end)
El Caudillo
14-07-2005, 17:06
Namibia, when it was called South West Africa and was administered by South Africa, also had bantustans. I just found that out the other day.
Trexia
14-07-2005, 17:06
Neither. Highly irritated. That's just one of those damned stupid, wrong "factoids" that float around the net, like the "duck's quack" one. Both are wrong, and both are just plain ignorant, and it irritates me when I see either one being posted as a "real life true fact!" (>.<)
Thank you. Without your help, I would have never known that all those times that I've licked my elbow, it didn't actually happen...
The boldly courageous
14-07-2005, 18:11
Thank you. Without your help, I would have never known that all those times that I've licked my elbow, it didn't actually happen...

Are you double jointed? If so where? Socket? Elbow?

Nevermind... I see you explained earlier :).
Demented Hamsters
14-07-2005, 18:14
you cannot fold a paper in half more than 7 times.
The record is 12. This site has a formula for working out how many times you can fold a bit of paper:
http://www.osb.net/pomona/12times.htm

I found it quite interesting. But then I'm weird like that.
Daistallia 2104
14-07-2005, 18:41
Thank you. Without your help, I would have never known that all those times that I've licked my elbow, it didn't actually happen...

LOL

Go back and read my posts again.

I'm not sure how my claim that "almost anyone can lick their elbow" was understood as "Trexia has never licked his or her elbow".

:confused:

I would, in-fact, be quite surprised if you had claimed that you were unable to lick your elbow. And that is why I've stated repeatedly that this particular factoid is stupid.
The boldly courageous
14-07-2005, 18:55
I don't know if this has been mentioned but here goes...

I believe this has to be done in person but you can try online.

Tell your friend you have a neat word game.

Ask that friend to spell p-o-t-s...once they do ask them to do it a second time ...p-o-t-s, than ask them to spell it a third time....p-o-t-s

By now they are like ok... what is going on?

Then ask them ...What does a car do when it comes to a green light?

The majority will answer stop even though green means go. Take notice that stop is pots backward. Hmmm.... do subliminals work lol?
Markreich
14-07-2005, 19:10
25% of all the bullets fired in World War One were made in Bridgeport, CT.
Trexia
16-07-2005, 03:36
LOL

Go back and read my posts again.

I'm not sure how my claim that "almost anyone can lick their elbow" was understood as "Trexia has never licked his or her elbow".

:confused:

I would, in-fact, be quite surprised if you had claimed that you were unable to lick your elbow. And that is why I've stated repeatedly that this particular factoid is stupid.
Good sir or lady, I do believe that you said my "factoid" was wrong in your previous statement. It is extremely rare for a person to have the ability to move their elbow back that far. It isn't just your run-of-the-mill (for lack of a better word) talent.
Czardas
16-07-2005, 03:52
Good sir or lady, I do believe that you said my "factoid" was wrong in your previous statement. It is extremely rare for a person to have the ability to move their elbow back that far. It isn't just your run-of-the-mill (for lack of a better word) talent.Yeah, I can't do it for one. (Although that will soon change due to exhaustive exercise programs.)

And on-topic, the most overused word in the English language is "you".
Trexia
16-07-2005, 03:55
Yeah, I can't do it for one. (Although that will soon change due to exhaustive exercise programs.)

And on-topic, the most overused word in the English language is "you".
I didn't use that word in my last statement. And I didn't use it in this one either. Score!
Czardas
16-07-2005, 03:58
I didn't use that word in my last statement. And I didn't use it in this one either. Score!

Good sir or lady, I do believe that you said my "factoid" was wrong in your previous statement. It is extremely rare for a person to have the ability to move their elbow back that far. It isn't just your run-of-the-mill (for lack of a better word) talent.

Well...? :)
Trexia
16-07-2005, 04:01
Oh....well....I uh...I have to leave now...
Czardas
16-07-2005, 04:03
Oh....well....I uh...I have to leave now...You could at least have come back with dignity or humor as in:

"Well, that one doesn't count, because it's highlighted!"
"It's a terrorist plot against me! Help! Run for your life!"
"What?"

Or the classic "Touché" or "I stand corrected."

(:p)
Daistallia 2104
16-07-2005, 11:00
Good sir or lady, I do believe that you said my "factoid" was wrong in your previous statement. It is extremely rare for a person to have the ability to move their elbow back that far. It isn't just your run-of-the-mill (for lack of a better word) talent.

Excuse me, but you have once again misunderstood my claim.

Your factoid is "wrong" not because it is impossible, but because, as I have said again and again, it is very, very easy to lick your elbow. Nowhere have I said that you couldn't. And Czardas can do it, unless he has a physical deformity.

Once again, my claim is that almost anyone can lick their elbow. The inside of your elbow is very, very easy, the side is moderately easy, and the outside is fairly difficult.

Even if your factioid stated "it is imposssible to lick the outside of your elbow, it would be incorrect.

And I must say I am confused by your defense. You seem to be attempting to validate your factoid by claiming you can do what is says is impossible.
Daistallia 2104
16-07-2005, 11:13
I am possibly the only person able to lick my own elbow. Please reply if you can too. Otherwise, I shall claim the title. If you guys must know how I do it to prove that I really can, my scapula is able to move outward, away from my back, I push my right elbow back with my left hand, and my tounge is able to go around the elbow. Amazing, no?

Just to make sure, I went back and looked at your post. I must admit that I had forgotten that you'd posted it this way rather than the standard urban legend "it is impossible to lick your elbow".

However, as I've said, it is very easy to lick your elbow. The outside is rather difficult, but you are not the sole person to be able to do so. I have seen others (carnival freak show rubber men). Som I'll stand by my statements that:
a) Most people can lick their elbow easily.
b) Some people can lick the outside of their elbow.

Both would indicate that your claim that you are the only person who can lick (any part of) their elbow is incorrect.
Kevady
16-07-2005, 11:38
Just to make sure, I went back and looked at your post. I must admit that I had forgotten that you'd posted it this way rather than the standard urban legend "it is impossible to lick your elbow".

However, as I've said, it is very easy to lick your elbow. The outside is rather difficult, but you are not the sole person to be able to do so. I have seen others (carnival freak show rubber men). Som I'll stand by my statements that:
a) Most people can lick their elbow easily.
b) Some people can lick the outside of their elbow.

Both would indicate that your claim that you are the only person who can lick (any part of) their elbow is incorrect.
Game. Set. Match.
Cave-hermits
16-07-2005, 19:48
well, if hinge doesnt work, then how about flange? its got that -anj type sound....
Czardas
16-07-2005, 20:04
Excuse me, but you have once again misunderstood my claim.

Your factoid is "wrong" not because it is impossible, but because, as I have said again and again, it is very, very easy to lick your elbow. Nowhere have I said that you couldn't. And Czardas can do it, unless he has a physical deformity.

Once again, my claim is that almost anyone can lick their elbow. The inside of your elbow is very, very easy, the side is moderately easy, and the outside is fairly difficult.

Even if your factioid stated "it is imposssible to lick the outside of your elbow, it would be incorrect.

And I must say I am confused by your defense. You seem to be attempting to validate your factoid by claiming you can do what is says is impossible.I was talking about licking the outside, which I can't do. Sorry if it wasn't obvious :rolleyes:
Trexia
16-07-2005, 20:05
Not so fast; I did say "possibly", meaning that I did give thought to the fact that there may be others.
Daistallia 2104
17-07-2005, 03:57
well, if hinge doesnt work, then how about flange? its got that -anj type sound....

:D Excellent.
Czardas
17-07-2005, 04:05
:D Excellent.Someone's been building up their vocabulary, darn them!
Beth Gellert
17-07-2005, 04:19
This is somewhat out-of date, and I hope that nobody else mentioned it in the pages I haven't yet read, but the old shooting-a-Welshman thing... I thought that was (rather than is) Chester, not York. Cheshire's a lot more likely than Yorkshire is to have trouble from across the border that Yorkshire doesn't even share with Wales. No?

Meh.

[Twiddles thumbs]