# 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:** 245
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4889 "2022-07-28T14:06:18Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > And was later appropriated by Lyndon Baines Johnson as a moniker for his penis. Meh, Milton Berle’s was bigger. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4890 "2022-07-28T14:15:12Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > Sock it to me! Am I wrong for laughing at the fact that this post came right after @Moriarty’s post about LBJ’s ‘Jumbo’? ---
**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:** [July 28, 2022, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4891 "2022-07-28T14:44:51Z")
Berle’s wasn’t as big as Forest Tucker’s. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4892 "2022-07-28T15:01:42Z")
Very interesting. Definitely worth my time ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4893 "2022-07-28T19:26:19Z")
The late sportscaster Dick Enberg’s father’s family was actually Finnish, but changed their name from the bewildering (to Americans) “Katajavuori” to “Enberg.” When the non-Jewish Enberg started his broadcasting career, he considered changing to something else to de-Semitize the Jewish-looking (to Americans) name. He was previously married (a long, long time ago) to TV producer [Jeri Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeri_Taylor), whose credits include ST:TNG and ST:Voyage. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4894 "2022-07-28T20:42:40Z")
Cool looking place. I wonder what the water quality is. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4895 "2022-07-29T01:44:58Z")
Doing some telephone wiring in our house. online schematics speak of the “T” and “R” wires. TIL where these terms come from: > **[Tip and ring | Origin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip_and_ring#Origin)** > > The terms tip and ring originated in the early days of telephony when telephone operators used plugs to connect customer calls. They are named after the parts of the plug to which the wires were connected. The words are often abbreviated as T and R. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2022, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4896 "2022-07-29T01:52:06Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > [Ganna Walska](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganna_Walska), not Marian Davies, was the inspiration for Susan Alexander in **Citizen Kane.** What’s more: at one time she was married to [Harry Grindell Matthews,](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Grindell_Matthews) inventor of the **1920’s-Style Death Ray.** You can take a deep dive into controversy any time _Citizen Kane_ gets mentioned. Didn’t Herman J. Mankiewicz _really_ write the film? Can you believe a word that Welles said about it? (He claimed it wasn’t about Hearst.) Can’t an onscreen character have more than one source? I also can’t pass up the chance to cite my article on Grindell-Matthews, [1920’s Style Death Rays](https://www.flyingcarsandfoodpills.com/1920s-style-death-rays). ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4897 "2022-07-29T02:33:03Z")
I watched _RKO 281_ and Kane last night, and then went down the rabbit hole. One thing I do feel with some certainty is that no, “Rosebud” was _not_ Marion Davies’ clitoris. The verified chain of custody on that story starts and ends with Gore Vidal from 1989; conveniently five years after Welles’ death and 13 years after Davies’ nephew/husband of Welles’ ex Charles Lederer’s death. Another Vidal/Welles dubiosity also came out after Welles’ death: an idea for a film disclosed to no-one besides Vidal about a JFK-like figure and an elderly millionaire’s obsession with him. Vidal claimed Welles had the old man collecting the JFK-character’s ejaculations in a cherished, crusty handkerchief. C’mon Gore, I think we all know who had the crush on JFK. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4898 "2022-07-29T02:44:53Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > …Another Vidal/Welles dubiosity also came out after Welles’ death: an idea for a film disclosed to no-one besides Vidal about a JFK-like figure and an elderly millionaire’s obsession with him… This sounds like _The Big Brass Ring_: “The characters are an ancient homosexual, a presidential adviser from the Franklin Roosevelt years, and a young, rich presidential candidate for whom the older man has been mentor and probably more…” - [The 'Brass Ring' That Eluded Orson Welles](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-28-ca-6008-story.html) The script was rewritten and filmed in 1999 - [The Big Brass Ring - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Brass_Ring) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4899 "2022-07-29T02:56:36Z")
This charming 1963 hit has been an earworm for the past few days. Also in those past few days, I found out that the song was written by David Gates. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/o5NDFot98cA/hqdefault.jpg "THE MURMAIDS popsicles and icicles") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NDFot98cA) ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4900 "2022-07-29T02:56:59Z")
But was the trophy handkerchief documented anywhere besides by Vidal in [this (paywalled)](https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1989/06/01/remembering-orson-welles/) article I apologize for going OT, and I was an admirer of Vidal right up until he went off the rails in the 90s, but these stories, as well as the Ben Hur/Masalla unrequited love (which Lew Wallace hadn’t written), really make him as credible as Kenneth Anger. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4901 "2022-07-29T03:04:39Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I found out that the song was written by David Gates. And produced by a man (Kim Fowley) who should never have been allowed within a hundred yards of 15-17 year old girls. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4902 "2022-07-29T03:06:01Z")
I was going to correct you - that Libya’s flag is solid green - but that’s not true any more. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4903 "2022-07-29T03:06:37Z")
I saw that too. Didn’t realize Fowley went back that far. ---
**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:** [July 29, 2022, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4904 "2022-07-29T03:09:02Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > This charming 1963 hit… …was one of the first songs that turned me onto rock in 1963. Yes, puppies. That song was considered the horrible evil devil’s music and was never played on decent music stations. I had to build my own crystal radio set (from a kit) to receive the Top 40 station to listen to on my very own earbud in mono. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4905 "2022-07-29T12:09:53Z")
According to wikipedia :- > The authorities during the [British Raj](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Raj) found the hygiene of the stepwells less than desirable and installed pipe and pump systems to replace their purpose. They were primarily for irrigation during the dry season… ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4906 "2022-07-29T13:48:43Z")
And there’s the theory that Citizen Kane’s “\*Rosebud” was really inspired by Mankiewicz’s lost bicycle. No idea how credible it, or any other theory is. Just sayin’. \*Yeah, I know what the official story is. ---
**Author:** ![ScarletSteve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@ScarletSteve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ScarletSteve)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2022, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4907 "2022-07-29T15:28:00Z")
I was wrong ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/4908 "2022-07-31T20:29:09Z")
Firstly I need to establish two facts. (1) - we all know what a double-decker bus is, right? [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-decker\_bus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-decker_bus) Second (and I’m not sure how widely this _word_ is used outside the UK) - we know what a convertible car is, right? [Convertible - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convertible) OK - the fact: today I learned that there is such a thing as a convertible double-decker bus. Take the roof down (well, off), and you have an open-topped tour bus. Here’s the one I saw (TPN 103S) - with roof: > **[File:Southdown 603 TPN103S.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southdown_603_TPN103S.jpg)** - and without (click on link, second photo): > **[SHOWBUS PHOTO GALLERY - Brighton, Hove & District](https://www.showbus.com/gallery/south/bh&d5.htm)** > > SHOWBUS PHOTO GALLERY - Brighton, Hove & District It’s not a conversion, it’s an option. We saw it (roof on) at a bus rally that we stumbled upon today. j [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=246)