# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/81 "2010-02-21T20:58:16Z")
Nope - Wash hands / dishes/ with rings on. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/82 "2010-02-21T21:30:50Z")
I used to think that crack whores were really good whores. You know, really good at what they did, kinda like a crack shot. I think I learned otherwise when I was, I don’t know, 25 or 26. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/83 "2010-02-21T21:41:38Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > I’m guessing the concern is getting stuff under the ring while you cook and clean, or if you wear gloves when you clean, snagging them on aforementioned bling. > > ETA: So, there are a number of jobs where you have to remove your jewelry before going about your job, right? This includes flying Air Force jets. Usually what pilots do is they take off their ring and either deposit it in a pocket, or place it somewhere in the cockpit where they can retrieve it later. > > Of course, if you forget your ring, the maintainers will find it and happily return it for you in return for a case of beer. I know a guy who got a case of beer from a Brigadier General this way.🆒 There are definitely a bunch of jobs where wearing a ring can be dangerous - when I was a kid there was a poster in the warehouse attached to my dad’s company headquarters with a graphic picture of a “degloving” injury. It’s what it sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/84 "2010-02-21T22:24:25Z")
I knew who Chris Rock was, but thought “Kid” Rock was another name for the same guy. I’m not exactly sure who Kid Rock is, but I know now he’s a different person than Chris Rock. I didn’t know until last year that College Football doesn’t have a 2 minute warning. I’m not a \*huge \*football fan, but in 48 years I’ve watched my share of both college and NFL games. I don’t know how I missed that. ---
**Author:** ![Telcontar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Telcontar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telcontar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/85 "2010-02-21T22:37:55Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > I used to think that crack whores were really good whores. You know, really good at what they did, kinda like a crack shot. I think I learned otherwise when I was, I don’t know, 25 or 26. This sounds like the intro to a REALLY awkward story. Just saying. Another person who just learned to tie their shoes correct (age 26). ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/86 "2010-02-21T23:05:49Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > I used to think that crack whores were really good whores. You know, really good at what they did, kinda like a crack shot. I think I learned otherwise when I was, I don’t know, 25 or 26. This post had me doubled over laughing. “Oh, baby, you were the best I’ve ever had! You’re such a crack whore.” ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/87 "2010-02-21T23:22:56Z")
If I may post something of a more serious or darker nature. Last year I read **Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World**. Part of the book deals with banana republics and how the the US government toppled South American governments at the whim of the banana companies. I was shocked because I honestly don’t remember being taught about this in any of my history classes. I had heard the term banana republic but never really knew anything about it until I read this book. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/88 "2010-02-21T23:46:01Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Never got why people take off their rings, which only leads to sit-com situations like dropping it down a drain, or losing it and scrambling to replace it before spouse notices. > It’s metal. And gem(s). Unless your hands are buried in bread dough, which necessitates a good cleaning, what possible harm can soap and water do to a ring? I’m currently wearing an eye-popping band of emeralds and diamonds and I wash the dishes, do the laundry, clean the toilets, and change the litter box with no noticeable effect on my bling. I get an intolerable rash if I wear mine always. Especially if its around water. It isn’t the ring, its that my skin under the ring starts itching and flaking off. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/89 "2010-02-21T23:51:23Z")
> [@Enuma\_Elish](#): > > I take it you’re not from North Dakota? > > :D:p:eek: I’m from South Dakota, and I never heard about it there. ---
**Author:** ![MissGypsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/90 "2010-02-22T00:48:03Z")
Just a couple of years ago, my little kids and I were playing with a new toy pirate ship. There’s a pull-out plank, so the pirates can make their victims walk the plank. And it suddenly occurred to me that when pirates did that, they left the people there to drown! Not like being dunked in the lake or swimming pool, just playing around, but actual murder! I was stunned at my own ignorance at never having even thought about that before. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/91 "2010-02-22T01:52:20Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > I get an intolerable rash if I wear mine always. Especially if its around water. It isn’t the ring, its that my skin under the ring starts itching and flaking off. It is the ring, you’re allergic to nickel. Your ring is white gold, right? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/92 "2010-02-22T02:27:46Z")
I’m 42. Up until a few years ago, I thought the band with Paul McCartney and John Lennon was spelled _The Beetles_, and was named after the insect. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/93 "2010-02-22T03:10:52Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > Just a couple of years ago, my little kids and I were playing with a new toy pirate ship. There’s a pull-out plank, so the pirates can make their victims walk the plank. > > And it suddenly occurred to me that when pirates did that, they left the people there to drown! Not like being dunked in the lake or swimming pool, just playing around, but actual murder! I was stunned at my own ignorance at never having even thought about that before. :smack: This one is a stunner. Pirates weren’t exactly known for “playing around.” ---
**Author:** ![Enuma\_Elish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5e9695/32.png) [@Enuma\_Elish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enuma_Elish)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/94 "2010-02-22T03:45:14Z")
> [@rhubarbarin](#): > > I’m from South Dakota, and I never heard about it there. Did you never hang out with drunken farm kids with weird bachelor uncles? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/95 "2010-02-22T07:29:06Z")
I thought that the phrase “built like a brick shithouse” was a huge insult. I thought that Garry Wills and George Will were the same person for a time. ---
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/96 "2010-02-22T08:05:37Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I didn’t know until last year that College Football doesn’t have a 2 minute warning. I’m not a \*huge \*football fan, but in 48 years I’ve watched my share of both college and NFL games. I don’t know how I missed that. Hey, I’ve known several people who _did_ consider themselves huge football fans who didn’t realize this. I also got in to an argument at a bar with a guy who refused to believe that in the NFL the game clock does not stop when you make a first down, like it does in college. ETA:Oh, and as for sheep-fucking, I always assumed it was an apcryphal (sp?) insult. Until just a few weeks ago when my boss admitted that he had actually fucked a sheep. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/97 "2010-02-22T08:44:31Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#): > > I haven’t been in one for 10 years probably, but that’s what they used to have in the southeast. It was like decoupaged right onto the walls, like wallpaper. We have them like that (i.e., NY subway map on Subway sandwich shop wall) here in California. ---
**Author:** ![lemac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@lemac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lemac)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/98 "2010-02-22T08:56:22Z")
Until recently I though that you could get rabies only from dog bites - rabies is generally called hondsdolheid (dog’s madness) here. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/99 "2010-02-22T09:03:15Z")
That’s what it’s called in Korean too! (Dog’s madness, not hondsdolheid.) A lot of Koreans are surprised when I mention that my cats need rabies shots too. ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2010, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711/100 "2010-02-22T09:26:50Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > Well this proves you learn something new everyday and I am no stranger to the biological sciences myself. I was in a PhD program in the sexual differentiation of behavioral neuroscience once. I had the same exact idea you did until I read this but I have an excuse. I am only 36 years old rather than your 38. Thank god I didn’t end up as ignorant as you for so long. You saved me and I think I have to go off and read some more now. Asian placenta soup seems a little different culinary wise now. Only soup? Here’s some more recipes for human placenta. Quite popular among some vegetarians I believe whose objection to meat stems from killing animals for food. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basic-facts-you-learned-late-in-life-that-you-didnt-really-know/529711.md?page=6)