# Basic facts you learned late in life that you didn't really know. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711 "2010-02-19T23:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/301 "2010-03-17T14:25:56Z")
> [@Trans Fat Og](#): > > And where would that leave the Buffalo Bills? > > Buffalo Bill Cody would have to have been a total fraud, as well. Just thought of that, now. This reminds me of something I can contribute. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize the Buffalo Bills were named after…Buffalo Bill. In my defense, people just call them the Bills around here (here being the Buffalo area), and I never thought too deeply about the fact the city name was integral part of the team name, unlike most other teams. On the other hand, living in the area sort of makes the whole thing more sad.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/302 "2010-03-17T14:39:07Z")
You know, Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/303 "2010-03-17T14:45:36Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > And seriously, what is \*up \*with prescriptivist Americans being unable to use punctuation according to the standard? That’s the second time in so many days. For someone so certain that words have immutable correct definitions, you certainly are demonstrably ignorant of the fact that commas and periods go \*inside \*of quotation marks. This is the second time I’ve seen this, and just to be clear, the standard I learned is that if you are quoting a full sentence or using dialog, then the punctuation goes in the quote. However, here people are quoting single words (so as to distinguish it from being read as if its in the sentence), so therefore no, the punctuation would not be in the quotes. ETA: Nevermind, I googled it - I guess I learned the “British” method. Who knew! ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/304 "2010-03-17T15:02:48Z")
> [@otternell](#): > > ETA: Nevermind, I googled it - I guess I learned the “British” method. Who knew! :cues “The More You Know” rainbow logo and theme music: ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/305 "2010-03-17T15:05:02Z")
Actually I was thinking along the lines of: Now I know And knowing is half the battle GI Joe! ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/306 "2010-03-17T15:09:02Z")
Alternatively, we could go with the Bill Nye “DID YOU KNOW THAT?!”+“NOW YOU KNOW!” ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/307 "2010-03-17T17:36:17Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > … _Wow_. My mind has just been blown. Next I suppose you’re going to tell me that the Pinto was made by a horse. Thanks for the sarcasm. ---
**Author:** ![runcible\_spoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc29f/32.png) [@runcible\_spoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runcible_spoon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/308 "2010-03-17T18:03:42Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > My mind has just been blown. Next I suppose you’re going to tell me that the Pinto was made by a horse. A bean, actually. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/309 "2010-03-17T18:09:37Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > You know, Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. Everyone knows the plural of buffalo is buffali. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/310 "2010-03-17T18:37:30Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > This reminds me of something I can contribute. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize the Buffalo Bills were named after…Buffalo Bill. In my defense, people just call them the Bills around here (here being the Buffalo area), and I never thought too deeply about the fact the city name was integral part of the team name, unlike most other teams. On the other hand, living in the area sort of makes the whole thing more sad.:smack: They WERE?! I need to remember to keep tabs on this thread in the future. The help I’ve been finding here is incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/311 "2010-03-17T20:09:03Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Thanks for the sarcasm. No sarcasm. Completely serious. I can’t believe I didn’t make what in retrospect seems like such an obvious connection. (Thus the Pinto/horse comment.) ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/312 "2010-03-17T21:32:15Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > No sarcasm. Completely serious. I can’t believe I didn’t make what in retrospect seems like such an obvious connection. (Thus the Pinto/horse comment.) Oh, OK. I guess some things don’t translate well on-line. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/313 "2010-03-18T13:59:05Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Oh, OK. I guess some things don’t translate well on-line. And I’m sure I don’t have the \*slightest \*reputation for snark, either. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![norvalnormal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f19dbf/32.png) [@norvalnormal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norvalnormal)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/314 "2010-03-18T16:25:20Z")
I thought until a couple weeks ago (I am 57) that all humans had the sneeze 2 or more times when you’re suddenly seeing bright sunlight reflex (versus the reality of this being the case for approx. 20% of folks) ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/315 "2010-03-18T20:27:50Z")
> [@norvalnormal](#): > > I thought until a couple weeks ago (I am 57) that all humans had the sneeze 2 or more times when you’re suddenly seeing bright sunlight reflex (versus the reality of this being the case for approx. 20% of folks) What do you mean? I’ve never heard of this. So much weird stuff I’m learning in this thread. \>.\< ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/316 "2010-03-18T20:46:52Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > What do you mean? I’ve never heard of this. So much weird stuff I’m learning in this thread. \>.\< Here is the Straight Dope column on the photo sneeze reflex. I get it but only rarely. > **[Why do some people sneeze when going out into bright light?](https://www.straightdope.com/21341691/why-do-some-people-sneeze-when-going-out-into-bright-light)** ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/317 "2010-03-18T20:58:18Z")
IIRC, no one who exibits the photic sneeze reflex can become a Navy SEAL, either. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/318 "2010-03-18T21:23:50Z")
Funny, I’ve had people accuse me of lying when I tell them that I sneeze in sudden bright light. And I’ve always wondered why they’d think I’d lie about something so stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/319 "2010-03-18T21:40:48Z")
> [@Beadalin](#): > > Funny, I’ve had people accuse me of lying when I tell them that I sneeze in sudden bright light. And I’ve always wondered why they’d think I’d lie about something so stupid. Psh, liar. Nobody would accuse you of lying about sneezing in bright light. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/320 "2010-03-19T04:37:22Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > You know, Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. By contrast, Syracuse buffalo are generally zen and unassuming. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711.md?page=17)