# 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:** 254
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5069 "2022-08-19T21:28:44Z")
Horizontal stripes make you look fat anyway, even in bed. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5070 "2022-08-19T22:10:13Z")
A couple of random lighthouse facts from a visit to [Pigeon Point](https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/sites/default/files/styles/large_/public/2017-06/Pigeon%20Point%20Lighthouse%20AerialSm_0.jpg?h=97e689df) yesterday. The [first-order Fresnel Lens on display in the museum](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52291917502_f409ecf95a_h.jpg) originally saw service in Cape Hatteras. It was dismantled and shipped to California in 1871. The lens was removed from the tower and put on display in the museum in 2011. They clean the lens with a solution of 2 parts distilled water to 1 part isopropyl alcohol and one drop of Woolite per quart. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2022, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5071 "2022-08-19T22:15:42Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Horizontal stripes make you look fat anyway, even in bed Once upon a time, a miscommunication led to: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/baU4cyQ3A5U/hqdefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/baU4cyQ3A5U/hqdefault.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2022, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5072 "2022-08-20T00:22:46Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Horizontal stripes make you look fat anyway [Not according to David Mitchell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISZyJ5MHApI)! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2022, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5073 "2022-08-20T01:23:31Z")
Hendrix was so wiped out by Woodstock that he had to postpone an appearance with Dick Cavett. Cite: “The Dick Cavett Show” dated 9/9/69. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2022, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5074 "2022-08-20T01:30:32Z")
At the Harris Teeter where I do most of my shopping, instead of a conveyor belt past the cashier station there’s a revolving platform which serves essentially the same purpose. In the early days of the pandemic customers had to bag their own groceries, which I had no problem with since I always brought my own bags anyway. The only problem was that the controller foe the platform was situated in such a way that I kept leaning on it while I was bagging. It looked like a variation on Lucy trying to pickup the chocolates as I kept trying to pick up things as they rotated away from me. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2022, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5075 "2022-08-20T12:43:53Z")
Today I learned that baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s older brother, Mack, won the silver medal at the 1936 Olympics. That’s the one in Berlin, where Jesse Owens famously won 4 golds while Hitler looked on. Mack broke the standing record in the 200m, and was less than half a second behind Owens at the finish. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5076 "2022-08-20T16:22:54Z")
TIL that by 1964 the dog who played Lassie was making $100,000 a year. The child actor who played Timmy only made $60,000 a year. I also learned (despite the PSA below) that Batgirl pulled down $1,500 an episode while Robin only made $450. The bat-payroll for season 3: Adam West–$2250 Yvonne Craig–1500 Neil Hamilton–750 Stafford Repp–750 Alan Napier–650 Burt Ward–450 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0e1wo8f8mT4/hqdefault.jpg "1966 BATMAN TV SHOW: BATGIRL Equal Pay PSA Commercial") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e1wo8f8mT4) ---
**Author:** ![kwintenstraler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kwintenstraler/32/10698_2.png) [@kwintenstraler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kwintenstraler)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2022, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5077 "2022-08-20T17:07:47Z")
All the (5) dogs that were used in the television series of Lassie were male. Which is of cause a bit funny because of the name of the dog. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2022, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5078 "2022-08-20T17:43:02Z")
I guess it depends whether you are covering yourself with horizontal stripes or are laying on top of them. In the second scenario the sheet looks broader, but you on top of it look thinner. The colour of the stripes and whether you are male or female also plays a role. And the amount of alcohol consumed too! And the morning after… it’s complicated. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5079 "2022-08-22T14:39:48Z")
By an _amazing_ coincidence\*, someone has put a [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VcgW_AdDPw) about it on Youtube ! \*Yes, i know ! ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5080 "2022-08-22T14:52:12Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Doesn’t it depend on whether the stripes are meant tk be horizontal or vertical? In any case, I have a king bed and, with my favorite soft sheets it’s impossible to tell the correct end without trial and error. I eventually just drew a red X on one side in permanent marker. The tag is always on the upper left corner (if you’re facing the bed, standing at the foot) of the fitted sheet. On all of my sheets anyway. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2022, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5081 "2022-08-22T15:05:46Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > The tag is always on the upper left corner (if you’re facing the bed, standing at the foot) of the fitted sheet. Or lower right? I think that is where I would want my tag. That’s a nice hack - I’ll have to see if it works on my sheets. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5082 "2022-08-23T14:45:24Z")
Yep - lower right too! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5083 "2022-08-23T17:44:02Z")
> [@TRC4941](#): > > The tag is always on the upper left corner (if you’re facing the bed, standing at the foot) of the fitted sheet. On all of my sheets anyway. As noted, denoting that “lower right” works better for some people. It’s easier to see when making a bed. After I first heard about this I started to note the tag position on my sheets. Old ones: lower left. New ones: lower right. So, yeah, really helpful. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5084 "2022-08-23T19:00:13Z")
We all know that The Village People are gay icons. TIL: That their personas (personae?) were based on a form of drag called _banjee_ where the men would dress as macho archetypes. OK, technically I don’t know that they based their characters on banjee but if not then it is a huge coincidence. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5085 "2022-08-23T21:27:09Z")
The unnatural ‘clipping’ of word components to form other words is called ‘rebracketing.’ Examples: “Copter” from “helicopter” “-holic” from “alcoholic” “burger” from “hamburger” “doodle” from “Labradoodle” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5086 "2022-08-23T23:30:25Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > “-holic” from “alcoholic” . _So you’re a “-holic”?_ Yep, have been for oh, 'bout twelve years, ever since college. _But I couldn’t help noticing you’re drinking a…?_ Double Maker’s Mark Old Fashioned. Yeah, during Covid, I decided to quit being a snob and just drink what tastes good, so… _Wait, are you sure should be drinking anything at all?_ Well, that’s a recipe for dehydration, isn’t it? That’s why I always… ohhhhhh! _Ohhhhhh?_ Ohhhhhh, I’ll bet you thought I meant I was an ALCO-holic! _Well, you did say…_ No, no, no, I can have as many drinks as I want. I have no trouble with that. _Oh, reeeally?_ Yes, really. Do you… do you doubt that for some reason? _But I assumed that a “-holic” meant…_ WHY does everyone DO that? Leap right to one of the worst “-holics” a person could BE?" _Well…_ I mean, why Problem Drinking? What makes that top of mind for every single person I meet? Is it some marketing conspiracy? Is AA behind it, so they can have a monopoly on support groups? I’m sure you’ve read that there are 3.75 times more non-alcohol-holics in this world than there are alcoholics! _Really, wait, is that… true?_ Well, no. I just made it up and thought the 3.75 would sell you on it. Fallacy of False Precision and all. _So, what are you?_ An actuary. And a short stop on Tuesday evenings. _sigh…_ Oh, you meant what kind of -holic I am! _Well, I must admit, I’m rapidly approaching a state of not caring._ Guess! _Excuse me?_ Oh, come on, guess. _Ah, you want me to guess… what your addiction is?_ I mean, am I harmless, merely perhaps a choco-holic? Or dangerous? Too dangerous to go sailing with, due to my being a keelhaul-aholic? _Excuse me, I need to go the ladies’ room._ Well, of course. _And then, of course, I need to walk past the ladies’ room and out the alley exit in hopes of never having to listen to any more of this._ All right, that’s fair. Bartender, I’ll pay for that woman’s drink, and take another Old Fashioned. Oh, and Charlie, of course, LIKE ALWAYS… Ah know, mate, ye can’t have any ice, because then ya lose all control and spend everything you’ve got on those big bags of perfectly clear ice cubes and ye end up spiraling into homelessness. Glad you’re looking out for me, Charlie. . [freeze on final fist bump, roll credits] ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2022, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5087 "2022-08-24T04:57:16Z")
That was something, @digs bravo. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2022, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/5088 "2022-08-24T10:47:14Z")
In the aftermath of Shinzo Abe’s assassination by a guy with a grudge against the Unification Church, it’s been coming to light that they (the UC) have their fingers in a lot of political and business endeavors there and elsewhere. Coincidentally, there was a long article in the NY Times just last fall about how the UC owns a huge portion of the sushi restaurant supply chain in the US, all the way from building fishing boats to putting fish on your table: > **[The Untold Story of Sushi in America (Published 2021)](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/11/05/magazine/sushi-us.html)** > > How a controversial religion from Korea quietly built an empire of raw fish. It’s paywalled, so if you can’t get to it, there’s a 2006 article (updated in 2011) on the same topic from HuffPost: > **[The Truly Fishy Side of the Unification Church](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-truly-fishy-side-of-t_b_19008)** > > Do you care if your sushi is part of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's empire? You may have a problem. True World sells really good fish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=253) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=255)