# 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:** 26
**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 18, 2020, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/501 "2020-06-18T12:28:39Z")
Baseball pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm had a 20-year major league career. He hit a home run his first at bat, and a triple his second at bat. He never again hit a home run nor a triple. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/502 "2020-06-18T14:39:39Z")
I saw Randy Johnson hit his first and only\* major league home run in 2003. I’ve wondered how the pitcher felt about that. \*To be fair, only about 50% of his career was in the NL. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/503 "2020-06-23T02:48:50Z")
ISTR reading somewhere (can’t find a cite now) that after the fiasco of the shootdown of Francis Gary Powers’ U-2, the SR-71 was specifically designed so it didn’t _have_ to enter Soviet airspace, since that could have turned the Cold War into a hot one. It flew as high as it did, and had specially designed cameras and other sensors, so that it could see virtually all of the USSR’s land area from the periphery of its actual borders. ---
**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 23, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/504 "2020-06-23T02:55:56Z")
Doesn’t seem possible. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/505 "2020-06-23T03:05:19Z")
The painted turtles that live in the pond behind our factory have an average life span of 20 - 40 years according to the NYS DEC…and the snappers live 30 - 50 years… ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/506 "2020-06-23T11:48:27Z")
I saw Wayne Gretzky ejected from a game live. I think that happened about 5 times in his career. It was his last season as a player . ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/507 "2020-06-23T17:46:49Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > ISTR reading somewhere (can’t find a cite now) that after the fiasco of the shootdown of Francis Gary Powers’ U-2, the SR-71 was specifically designed so it didn’t _have_ to enter Soviet airspace, since that could have turned the Cold War into a hot one. It flew as high as it did, and had specially designed cameras and other sensors, so that it could see virtually all of the USSR’s land area from the periphery of its actual borders. “One of the most memorable sights, available only to Blackbird pilots, was the sun rising in the west, as the aircraft overtook the earth’s rotation.” > **[Why the SR-71 Blackbird is the Epitome of Cold War Spycraft](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-sr-71-blackbird-epitome-cold-war-spycraft-180953402/)** > > The sleek and shadowy plane still commands awe 50 years after its first test flight I also found the manual on the SR-71, redactions and all. > **[SR-71 Online - SR-71 Flight Manual: Section 4, Page 4-93](https://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/4/4-93.php)** > > SR-71 Flight Manual: Section 4, Page 4-93 ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/508 "2020-06-23T19:35:14Z")
Not totally random, but I recently found out that the mortality rate of the Spanish Flu was 2.5 percent. The way they talk about it, I figured it was 50%. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/509 "2020-06-23T21:36:22Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > You buried the lead Any journalist will tell you the phrase is “bury the lede,” not “bury the lead.” Of course, any non-journalist would say “huh?” > **[Why Do We 'Bury the Lede?'](https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/bury-the-lede-versus-lead)** > > We buried 'lead' so far down that we forgot how to spell it > **[Don't Bury the Lede | MLA Style Center](https://style.mla.org/dont-bury-the-lede/)** > > Burying the lede may test the patience of your readers ---
**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 23, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/510 "2020-06-23T22:02:08Z")
We’re all familiar with the traditional photos of the New York Stock Exchange building with its columns, flags flying, etc. You realize, of course, that that is not Wall Street - it’s 18 Broad Street! The legal address of the NYSE is 11 Wall Street - but that’s just a small doorway into the building around the corner. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2020, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/511 "2020-06-23T22:42:59Z")
> [@Gary\_Robson](#): > > > [@Moriarty](#): > > > > You buried the lead > > Any journalist will tell you the phrase is “bury the lede,” not “bury the lead.” Of course, any non-journalist would say “huh?” > > [Bury the Lede or Bury the Lead: Which is Right? | Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/bury-the-lede-versus-lead) > > [Don't Bury the Lede | MLA Style Center](https://style.mla.org/dont-bury-the-lede/) Ignorance fought! Much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/512 "2020-06-25T17:20:27Z")
Record for most NBA teams a player played for is 12 held by 4 guys Joe Smith , Jim Jackson, Chucky Brown and Tony Massenberg ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/513 "2020-06-28T14:30:12Z")
Today (June 28) in history: [1914](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1914) – [Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria) and his wife [Sophie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie,_Duchess_of_Hohenberg) are [assassinated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Archduke_Franz_Ferdinand_of_Austria) in Sarajevo; this is the _[casus belli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casus_belli)_ of [World War I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I). [1919](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1919) – The [Treaty of Versailles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Versailles) is signed, ending the state of war between Germany and the [Allies of World War I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I). Hmm, exactly five years. True or False? Here are today’s birthdays…but is the year correct? Mel Brooks, 1936 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 1712 Gilda Radner, 1941 Kathy Bates, 1948 John Elway, 1952 John Cusack, 1971 Mel Brooks False, 1926 Jean-Jacques Rousseau True, 1712 Gilda Radner False, 1946 Kathy Bates True, 1948 John Elway False, 1960 John Cusack False, 1966 And finally, a special R.I.P. goes out to Rod Serling, who died June 28, 1975. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/514 "2020-06-28T15:41:39Z")
A coworker and I have recently gotten into edible local flora and I learned that Queen Anne’s Lace is Wild Carrot! ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/515 "2020-07-05T23:41:27Z")
The land border between France and The Netherlands is not in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/516 "2020-07-06T01:06:03Z")
Inspired by something going around on Facebook, I give you the contranym. If that term doesn’t ring a bell for you like it didn’t for me: " A **contranym** or contronym is a word which has two or more generally accepted meanings in the English language that directly or generally contradict each other." Some examples: - _Clip_ can mean “attach” or “cut off”.[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-antonym#cite_note-:2-1) - _Dust_ can mean “to remove dust (cleaning a house)” or “to add dust” (e.g. to dust a cake with powdered sugar).[[1]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-antonym#cite_note-:2-1)[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-antonym#cite_note-:0-7) - _Oversight_ can mean “accidental omission or error”, or “close scrutiny and control”. - _Sanction_ can mean “approve” or “penalize”. - _Table_ can mean “to discuss a topic at a meeting” or “to postpone discussion of a topic”.[[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-antonym#cite_note-16) > **[Auto-antonym](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto-antonym)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > An auto-antonym or autantonym, also called a contronym or antagonym among other terms, is a word with multiple meanings (senses) of which one is the reverse of another. For example, the word cleave can mean "to cut apart" or "to bind together". This phenomenon is called enantiosemy, enantionymy (enantio- means "opposite"), antilogy or autantonymy. An enantiosemic term is necessarily polysemic. > An auto-antonym is alternatively called an antagonym, c... ---
**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:** [July 6, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/517 "2020-07-06T02:18:18Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > A **contranym** or contronym is a word which has two or more generally accepted meanings in the English language that directly or generally contradict each other." Sick! ---
**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 6, 2020, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/518 "2020-07-06T02:40:15Z")
Well of course not. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/519 "2020-07-06T07:24:40Z")
And it’s only about 10 or 15 miles long if you count the part that goes through Simpson Bay Lagoon. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2020, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/520 "2020-07-06T11:10:49Z")
One of my favorite places on earth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=27)