# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 229
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4569 "2022-06-03T17:31:54Z")
San Bernadino County, CA, is the largest county by area in the U.S. at 20,052 sq. mi. (Five of Alaska’s mostly unpopulated boroughs are larger.) For comparison, the states of New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut combined are almost exactly the same size, at 19,984 sq. mi. and they are made up of 43 counties. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4570 "2022-06-03T17:37:02Z")
Nitpick: San Berna **r** dino. Population: 2 million plus people, 40 million coyotes. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4571 "2022-06-03T19:27:48Z")
I think you jinxed it. > **[Hideki Matsuyama is DQ’d — after ‘person in world of golf’ sees rules infraction](https://golf.com/instruction/rules/hideki-matsuyama-dqd-person-golf-rules-infraction/?fbclid=IwAR2wMbJB9mZwl5GWCfRlRdi5v3nWjOmYljr-Y073k9pKRd-lI1asDswSzCc&=1)** > > Hideki Matsuyama is DQ’d during the first round of the Memorial — after ‘a person in world of golf’ sees a rules infraction with his 3-wood. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4572 "2022-06-03T19:33:54Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > [Hideki Matsuyama is DQ’d — after ‘person in world of golf’ sees rules infraction](https://golf.com/instruction/rules/hideki-matsuyama-dqd-person-golf-rules-infraction/?fbclid=IwAR2wMbJB9mZwl5GWCfRlRdi5v3nWjOmYljr-Y073k9pKRd-lI1asDswSzCc&=1) That narrows it down considerably. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4573 "2022-06-03T19:44:25Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Polar bears are the largest land carnivore alive now, t **hough they do qualify as aquatic mammals** and couldn’t compete with Orcas in that respect. > [Bolding mine] I think it is curious that the brown bear is known as _Ursus arctos_ in Latin, the arctic bear, the grizzly is the subspecies known as _Ursus arctos horribilis_, that is the horrendous arctic bear, including another subspecies know as Kodiak bear (also really big: _Ursus arctos middendorffi_) while the polar bear, the one I would have called _arctos_, is called in Latin _Ursus maritimus_, the sea (faring) bear. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4574 "2022-06-03T19:48:38Z")
From the article it looks like someone blew up a picture and put it online and then someone else forwarded that to the tour director or other official. And to say that this is a ticky-tack offence is an understatement. You can use a sharpie to make a mark on the clubface, but he used something thicker? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4575 "2022-06-03T19:55:56Z")
From Etymonline: “Latin _arcticus_, from Greek _arktikos_ “of the north,” literally “of the (constellation) Bear,” from _arktos_ “bear; Ursa Major; the region of the north,” the Bear being the best-known northern circumpolar constellation.” So the _arctos_ in _Ursus arctos_ is just “bear,” therefore "Bear [Latin] bear [Greek], not “arctic bear.” ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4576 "2022-06-03T19:57:01Z")
Oh! Interesting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4577 "2022-06-03T20:01:22Z")
I suppose it would seem to be the arctic bear but it’s ability to swim in arctic waters sets it apart. Polar bears are so well insulated they can overheat running across the arctic ice fields. They are much better suited for swimming to travel long distances. Their habitat is coastal. And then on top of that they are too adorable to be called _horribilis_. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4578 "2022-06-03T20:11:52Z")
Adorable? You ain’t seen a hungry one close up, have you? (Neither have I, thank Godott). But it’s OK, **Dr.Drake** has set the record straight. _Bear bear_ vs _Swimming bear_. BTW: Polar bears are black. You can see that on their noses and paws. And their [hair is hollow](https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/why-do-polar-bears-have-white-fur-and-nine-other-polar-bear-facts), to lead the sun rays like in optic fibers to the black skin, that absorbs the heat. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4579 "2022-06-03T20:26:09Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > You can use a sharpie to make a mark on the clubface, but he used something thicker? The rule is about something that can affect the flight of the ball. So a Sharpie dot isn’t going to do that. Something with some depth (and that could potentially actually get on the ball (like a spitter in baseball)) might. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4580 "2022-06-03T20:59:35Z")
Of course they’re adorable. Here’s [a picture of my pet baby polar bear](https://next.photobucket.com/u/edma194/a/44c49390-ba37-45a1-b695-ff27215d502c/p/7e64d406-acc9-4c3a-8173-c5426a749a88) that I picked up at the shelter. I had no idea polar bears shed so much. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4581 "2022-06-03T21:09:38Z")
Hm, something is not working with that Photobucket. And I registered and all, pity. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4582 "2022-06-03T21:12:00Z")
Sorry, I think I can’t share on this free plan. Got any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4583 "2022-06-03T21:13:06Z")
imgur (dot) com? That is what I use on the SDMB, works for free. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4584 "2022-06-03T21:24:11Z")
Ok, signed up for imgur, [please try this one](https://imgur.com/G2Y5GXx). ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4585 "2022-06-03T21:25:54Z")
OK, convinced: adorable. First polar bear with blue eyes ever, must be albino or something 😉 ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2022, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4586 "2022-06-04T02:10:20Z")
TIL that the names “Berkeley” (e.g. the town in California) and “Barclay” (e.g. the British bank) are the same name, spelled differently. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2022, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4587 "2022-06-04T11:46:38Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > The nation of Turkey has officially [changed its name](https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/02/europe/turkey-trkiye-united-nations-scli-intl/index.html) to Türkiye with the United Nations. I am afraid I must have an adjective. Is the language now Türkiyish? Is there a Türkiyeish Air Force? Is someone now a Türk? ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4588 "2022-06-04T16:07:35Z")
Queen Elizabeth II has ruled for 70 years. During that time, she has attended 67 annual Epson Derby races. (she will miss this year’s today) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=228) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=230)