Backtalk - 10/09/08

Oct. 9, 2008
Interesting facts

Here are more facts making the email rounds.

Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter “A?”
A. One thousand

Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.

Q. What is the only food that doesn’t spoil?
A. Honey

Q. On which day of the year are the most collect calls made?
A. Father’s Day

* In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase, “Goodnight, sleep tight.’”

* It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.

* At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow! * Don’t delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

* Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When a refill was needed, they used the whistle to get service. “Wet your whistle” is the phrase inspired by this practice.

* In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them, “Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.” It’s where we get the phrase “Mind your P’s and Q’s.”

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