# 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:** 333
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2023, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6651 "2023-06-04T00:13:19Z")
Charlie Chaplin was almost killed by Japanese ultra-nationalists in 1939 to provoke a war between them and the USA as part of the [May 15th Incident](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_15_incident). ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6652 "2023-06-04T00:22:23Z")
The first couple episodes of _My Mother the Car_ didn’t have a laugh track. Which meant some people were confused, and thought the show might be some sort of _Twilight Zone_ program about an insane man or a mysterious paranormal entity. ---
**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:** [June 4, 2023, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6653 "2023-06-04T05:45:39Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > The word “partridge” derives from an ancient Greek word meaning “to fart”, because of the noise the birds make when they fly away You couldn’t wait to break the news until after Shirley Jones was dead? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2023, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6654 "2023-06-04T06:52:32Z")
Ever wonder why HUAC used this odd phrasing, “Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?” Edward Dmytryk refused to testify to HUAC and was imprisoned. After he got out, he changed his mind and decided to testify. From his book _Odd Man Out: A Memoir of the Hollywood Ten_: > In the early days of the Martin Dies Committee, a precursor of HUAC, the question had simply been, ‘Are you a member of the Communist Party of the United States?’ As a countermeasure, the Party adopted a rule that automatically cancelled a Communist’s membership the moment the question was asked. He could then answer ‘No’ without perjuring himself. The final wording […] was adopted to circumvent the Party’s tactic. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6655 "2023-06-06T21:01:04Z")
Yesterday while going thru some memorabilia boxes looking for something, I came across a copy of the 1950 edition of Whitman’s _Little Black Sambo_. In searching for more about it I came across a Wikipedia [page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_Little_Black_Sambo) where I learned: 1. LBS was considered racially _progressive_ at the time of original release since it portrayed the title character as being something other than an idiot. 2. I had dined many times at a Sambos in Lincoln City and thought it was part of the old Sambos chain (which is down to one store now called “Chad’s”). But it was _Lil’_ Sambos and only related via the original themes. This place closed last year. But I am puzzled what kid this was bought for. The kids named on the front flap weren’t going to even be born for several years. **Mrs. FtG** was too young for it when it first came out. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6656 "2023-06-06T21:05:21Z")
Found out today that Jay-Z is worth twice as much as Paul McCartney ($2.5 bil vs $1.2 bil). This ,for some reason, surprised me. I knew Jay-Z was a billionaire, but didn’t know it extended that high. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6657 "2023-06-06T21:09:32Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > which is down to one store now called “Chad’s” Chad’s is a just a few miles away from me near the wharf in Santa Barbara. Chad is the grandson of the Sam in Sam-Bo. The original building and sign is still there but it’s more of an upscale breakfast place now and not like its diner origins. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6658 "2023-06-07T02:29:27Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Found out today that Jay-Z is worth twice as much as Paul McCartney Surprises me too. I have no idea who Jay-Z is. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6659 "2023-06-07T07:33:09Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Found out today that Jay-Z is worth twice as much as Paul McCartney ($2.5 bil vs $1.2 bil). This ,for some reason, surprised me. I knew Jay-Z was a billionaire, but didn’t know it extended that high. Isn’t most of Jay-Z’s money from his career as a record producer and entrepreneur? My impression is that he’s basically a highly successful businessman who raps on occasion. Also, does his net worth also include his wife’s money? ---
**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 7, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6660 "2023-06-07T17:12:08Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I have no idea who Jay-Z is. Mogul. Married to Beyoncé. > [@Alessan](#): > > My impression is that he’s basically a highly successful businessman who raps on occasion. “I’m not a businessman. I’m a business, man.” - Jay Z. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6661 "2023-06-07T18:09:15Z")
He’s often considered the best rapper ever, and always on almost everyone’s Top 5 list. I think he’s a step below Biggie, but would never say that out loud. It would be like saying someone is better than Jordan at basketball. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6662 "2023-06-08T11:43:52Z")
[A crocodile in Costa Rica has had a “virgin birth.”](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/8/scientists-record-first-ever-virgin-birth-in-crocodile) So if it happens again, should we expect to see the Egyptian god Sobek walking around? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2023, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6663 "2023-06-08T11:59:56Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Mogul. Married to Beyoncé. Thanks. I should have just looked it up. I do have a clue who Beyonce is. Wouldn’t recognize her or her music though. As is obvious, I don’t follow modern music at all. ---
**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 8, 2023, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6664 "2023-06-08T12:15:17Z")
Kanna Hashimoto, the young Japanese actress and established “action chick” (“Sailor Suit and Machine Gun: Graduation” and “The Violence Action”), is only 5’ 0" tall! Apparently in this case, size doesn’t matter! LOL ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Varn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michael_varn/32/14411_2.png) [@Michael\_Varn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Varn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6665 "2023-06-12T01:43:42Z")
This is another fact about dogs that completely blew my mind: Did you know that orthodontic braces for dogs are actually real? Why would dogs need braces? I have never seen a dog or any other pet with orthodontic braces. The only way I would expect to see a dog with braces is probably in some kind of animated advertisement from a human orthodontics practice. Apparently some people have alot of money to burn. I had to make sure I wasn’t reading this on some kind of hoax website. I presume Wikipedia is not a hoax website, even though they are wrong from time to time, and inadvertantly and deliberately leave out factual details about a subjects also. Another thing, what would stop a dog from ripping them off as soon as they are put on? It can’t be comfortable. It like a cat that doesn’t want to wear a collar, they will just yank it off. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6666 "2023-06-12T02:02:40Z")
Braces are a lot harder to wiggle out of than a collar! I’d imagine that the only dogs who get braves are those with severe dental deformities that affect their ability to eat. That’s what I hope, anyway! ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Varn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michael_varn/32/14411_2.png) [@Michael\_Varn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Varn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6667 "2023-06-12T02:02:41Z")
Iam with you on that one. I stopped following the Billboard Hot 100 around 1990, shortly after Kasey Casum retired from his American Top 40 show. Popular music from that point forward and to this day is a complete train wreck. Kasey Casum would role over in his grave if he knew the crap that is passed off as popular music today. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Varn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michael_varn/32/14411_2.png) [@Michael\_Varn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Varn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6668 "2023-06-12T02:09:48Z")
Yea, but I have never seen or heard of this before. It might be some kind of fad with fancy dog owners from Beverly Hills, because braces for dogs cannot be cheap. That’s probably why I have never seen this, because it’s to expensive. And as it pertains to dental deformities, I would have assumed that they could be corrected with a singular surgical procedure, not by wearing braces for an indefinite period of time. ---
**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 12, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6669 "2023-06-12T02:27:07Z")
> [@Michael\_Varn](#): > > Kasey Casum AKA Casey Kasem. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Varn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michael_varn/32/14411_2.png) [@Michael\_Varn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Varn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/6670 "2023-06-12T02:46:22Z")
Here is another odd fact about human braces that you may not know. When I was growing up there was a rumor going around when the topic of braces came up that there is a rare procedure where the braces can actually be placed on the back of your teeth. This would certainly be an option that young teenagers would prefer due to the anxiety or being to self conscious about having visible braces. Strangely, every single person I knew who had braces had the visible ones, so these back braces rumors could never be confirmed at the time. I later confirmed this option is available, but it was cost prohibitive for people that had visible braces. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=332) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=334)