# 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:** 442
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8831 "2024-01-29T23:26:18Z")
My dad told me that the US military had an official field manual on how to make a sandwich, and it included buttering the bread, so any juices from the fillings wouldn’t soak into the bread. Which sounds about right for the typical military level of competence: That’s why you have bread on a sandwich, to soak up any juices. ---
**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:** [January 29, 2024, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8832 "2024-01-29T23:32:29Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Is 454 g the definition of a metric pound in Canada? Because in my metric country of Germany, a pound means half a kilo, so 500 g. It’s not an official unit, but still often used when ordering in butcheries or grocery stores. Just joking about the “metric pound”. A kilogram is 2.204 pounds, so half a kilo (500 grams) is 1.102 pounds. Since so many recipes called for (and still do) “a pound [or some fraction thereof] of butter”, it became packaged as 454 grams - roughly equal to 1 pound. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8833 "2024-01-30T00:09:06Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Which sounds about right for the typical military level of competence: That’s why you have bread on a sandwich, to soak up any juices. “As fucked-up as a soup sandwich” is a fairly standard military saying ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8834 "2024-01-30T01:02:43Z")
I use that phrase all the time. I remember it from a movie with Martin Sheen and Charlie Sheen where the junior was in the stockade before being shipped out for Viet Nam and the elder is the stockade commander, or sergeant, or whatever he is. I can’t remember the title - it’s not really that good, but I do remember that phrase. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8835 "2024-01-30T02:05:05Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My dad told me that the US military had an official field manual on how to make a sandwich… Along those lines, here’s the documentation on how to cook a hot dog as seen on LST 393 in Muskegon, MI. [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53497153699_8f905f1e32_c.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53497153699_8f905f1e32_c.jpg) ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8836 "2024-01-30T02:40:45Z")
The only current Olympic event where men compete and there is no woman’s equivalent is the 50km race walk. Also, the 50km race walk is the longest distance race in the Olympics (the marathon is 42.2km). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8837 "2024-01-30T12:37:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My dad told me that the US military had an official field manual on how to make a sandwich, and it included buttering the bread, so any juices from the fillings wouldn’t soak into the bread. Which sounds about right for the typical military level of competence: That’s why you have bread on a sandwich, to soak up any juices. Weelllll… I do something similar. I but I use cheese. Say between a soggy tomato or sauerkraut (especially sauerkraut). I call it a gasket. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8838 "2024-01-30T13:01:42Z")
I recommend the Catalan national dish: [pa amb tomàquet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pa_amb_tom%C3%A0quet). Just don’t call it soaked. [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Pa_amb_tomaquet.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Pa_amb_tomaquet.jpg) If the ingredients are good, it is excellent. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8839 "2024-01-30T13:07:47Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I grew up hearing that jingle in Chicago. When I moved to California and started hearing “Bring out the Best Foods and bring out the best” it sounded really weird, like a parody or something. It was the exact opposite for me. I first heard the jingle in California, and thought the jingle made sense as a play on the brand name. When I later moved east (including living in the Chicago area), it was jarring for me to hear the same jingle with the Hellman’s name. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8840 "2024-01-30T20:12:42Z")
This may be something everybody but me already knew, but I just found out that Creed from _The Office_ (US) was also lead guitarist for The Grass Roots way back in 1967. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HKvxZyM5QdA/maxresdefault.jpg "NEW \* Let's Live For Today - Grass Roots {Stereo}") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKvxZyM5QdA) ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8841 "2024-01-30T21:16:18Z")
I suppose you might call the heptathlon the women’s equivalent of the decathlon but American decathlete Jordan Gray would disagree: > **[Let Women Decathlon Petition: End Olympic gender inequality](https://www.letwomendecathlon.org/)** > > The Olympic Decathlon crowns the world’s greatest athlete – but the International Olympic Committee won’t allow women to compete because of gender. Join U.S. Decathlete Jordan Gray and thousands fighting for fairness. Sign the petition to add Women’s... ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8842 "2024-01-30T21:18:38Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > (because he played the helmsman on Star Trek. Maybe I’m over-explaining this?) No. I needed that. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8843 "2024-01-30T21:20:02Z")
That’s interesting and I think the women should move to a full decathlon. Another one not exactly the same is softball/baseball. Any others? ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8844 "2024-01-30T21:35:21Z")
The men’s soccer tournament is restricted to U23 players (with three exceptions for older players) whilst the women’s tournament has no age restrictions. Gymnastics uses different apparatus. I’m sure there are many other examples throughout the different sports. I think the men play best of three sets in the tennis (cite needed) so that’s equal. The interesting thing about the women’s decathlon debate is that the existing heptathlon competitors would struggle to be competitive in a decathlon. Which means the Olympics might have to run both events simultaneously during the switch over. And then the women would have an event that men could not compete in. ---
**Author:** ![Dahu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahu/32/3416_2.png) [@Dahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahu)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8845 "2024-01-30T21:51:06Z")
I don’t see why the men couldn’t have a heptathlon as well during the transition period if they had to. It would probably be popular with the decathlon guys who are weak in the pole vault. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8846 "2024-01-30T21:54:13Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Another one not exactly the same is softball/baseball. They’re the same now, non-existent. They may be back in 2028. There are key differences between the two sports. There could be both men’s and women’s events for either or both. It may be that a men’s baseball team and women’s softball team is the best compromise for these times if they return to the Olympics. ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8847 "2024-01-30T22:10:38Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > That’s interesting and I think the women should move to a full decathlon. Another one not exactly the same is softball/baseball. Any others? Cycling road race and time trial are longer for men than for women. j ETA - there is no fixed distance for either, so the race distances also differ between olympiads. and Anyone know about sailing events? ---
**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:** [January 30, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8848 "2024-01-30T22:20:33Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Anyone know about sailing events? Don’t know about sailing but there is canoe and kayak racing with both men’s and women’s teams. The events are identical for both men and women. ---
**Author:** ![merrick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@merrick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merrick)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8849 "2024-01-30T23:04:46Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Anyone know about sailing events? From [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics) it looks like the men’s and women’s events use the same basic hulls (IQFoil, Laser, 49er) but the women’s versions have slightly smaller rigs. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2024, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/8850 "2024-01-31T01:08:42Z")
Some/all of the sailing and equestrian (and I think shooting as well) events were open to both sexes until recently. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=441) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=443)