Trivia is well...trivial. I present for your amusement and information this list of odd things that happen to be true. Readers have noted that some things listed may not be true (gasp!). Should you have an internet reference proofing the validity of a "fact" feel free to join the discussion. the URL. Newspaper reports and official histories are preferred.
Note to critics and unsung geniuses:When correcting entries on the site or bringing irrelevant facts (which we love) to our attention, please remember to use a reference. Just bragging about shit pisses us off and wastes bandwidth.
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FAST ONES TO GET YOU GOING
NERF- You know, the toy? NERF is short for Non-Expanding Recreational Foam.
The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin in World War II
killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.
The name Wendy was made up for the book Peter Pan. There was never
a recorded Wendy before.
The first CD pressed in the US was Bruce Springsteen's "Born in
the USA."
The first product Motorola started to develop was a record player
for automobiles. At that time, the most known player on the market was
Victrola, so the called themselves Motorola.
New Stuff
Early in his career, Barry Manilow wrote product jingles. Among them were:
"I am stuck on Band Aids.
cuz Band Aids stuck on me."
and
"Just like a good neighbor,
State Farm is there."
Toto was illustrated in the L. Frank Baum's first book as a Cairn terrier, though in the rest of the books he's described as a Boston terrier.
Upper and lower case letters are named "Upper" and "Lower" because in the time when all original print had to be set in individual letters, the 'Upper Case' letters were stored in the case on top of the case that stored the smaller, 'Lower Case' letters.
Because metal was scarce, the Oscars given out during World War II were made of wood.
911
The 911 system of emergency communications, now used nationwide, was NOT developed and first used in Lincoln, Nebraska. That honor goes to Haleyville, Alabama. The very first American 911 call was placed on February 16, 1968 made by Alabama Speaker of the House, Rankin Fite and answered by Congressman Tom Bevill.
This is a correction made by an eagle-eyed reader. Click here to see the proof, then Join the discussion.
"Don't hold your breath."
Ever say that? Sure you do. Any guesses what you're saying?
The original phrase is:
"Hold your breath, save it for your porridge." Meaning, stop talking, your breath is better used to cool you porridge.
Sniper- During the 19th century, British soldiers in India tested their marksmanship by hunting a small elusive bird called a Snipe. Individuals who were adept at actually hitting sniper were referred to as "Snipers".