# 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:** 457
**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:** [March 4, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9131 "2024-03-04T01:03:27Z")
Alaska Travel Control was a division of the Wartime Civil Control Administration. (The lovely people in charge of shipping off 100,000 American citizens and legal residents to concentration camps. Bob got off easy.) ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9132 "2024-03-04T01:38:15Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Put Mr. Hope’s address in Google and you get [a dumpster.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/pnKABUJVXH8eKoEa9) 😃 but the area behind the dumpster seems to be rather nice: House sold last year for $26m [https://www.redfin.com/CA/Toluca-Lake/10346-Moorpark-St-91602/home/5309342](https://www.redfin.com/CA/Toluca-Lake/10346-Moorpark-St-91602/home/5309342) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9133 "2024-03-04T01:52:53Z")
The top of the form says “WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND AND FOURTH ARMY”. Western Defense Command was established in 1941 to coordinate defense of the Pacific coast during WWII. If there were any travel restrictions before that, they at least used a different form, but it seems more likely that the travel restrictions were enacted due to the war. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9134 "2024-03-04T02:09:14Z")
I’m guessing that is a temporary dumpster, possibly for a remodeling ---
**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:** [March 5, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9135 "2024-03-05T15:08:59Z")
This is utterly trivial but… The last time I looked at a (UK) Top 100 (or whatever) singles chart was decades ago - back, I suspect, in the days when they were based on record sales. I know that these days they also comprise downloads, streaming data and so on (without understanding exactly how it works). Whatever they do now, it seems to have some odd effects (compared to the old days…). For example: as of today, Mr Brightside by The Killers has spent 399 weeks on the UK top 100 (#70, up from #71). Well, I thought it was interesting. Another utterly trivial chart fact - albums, this time. In 2015, The Shires’ first album, Brave, peaked at #10 in the UK charts. The significance? It was the first time that a home-grown British country music act achieved a top 10 album. In 2017 they became the first British act to win a Country Music Association award (The Jeff Walker Global Artist Award). They were also the first UK country act to be signed to a Nashville label. > **[The Shires become first UK act to win CMA Award](https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/the-shires-become-first-uk-act-to-win-cma-award/067830)** > > The UK duo have won the Jeff Walker Global Artist Award ahead of the awards ceremony on August 11. And very jolly they are too. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ly74jHxs4A8/maxresdefault.jpg "The Shires - All Over Again (Official Lyric Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly74jHxs4A8) j ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9136 "2024-03-07T14:13:08Z")
Machu Picchu is built right on top of a geologic fault. In fact, it’s built on the intersection of several faults. Turns out the builders carefully sited it there for that very reason. Why? Sounds scary. Earthquake-prone. Well, not all faults make earthquakes. The advantage of building on faults is that the site had plenty of loose stone broken up ready to use for construction. Instead of having to haul stone blocks from some quarry up a fuckin’ mountain. Gee, it makes much better sense when you put it like that. Also, it gives the site improved drainage and plenty of springs. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9137 "2024-03-07T23:14:41Z")
This is just me learning a new word, but I found it interesting. Mr. brown and I were watching some casual classic car racing on youtube, and the racetrack organizers had put up plastic baffles on the track to cause the cars to have to twist and turn rather than zoom headlong down a straight course. Mr. brown called this segment a “chicane”. I had never heard the word before and I asked, “Is that where the word ‘chicanery’ comes from?” He said that the connection had never occurred to him. I looked it up and that is indeed the origin of the word “chicanery”. Here’s a bit from the Wikipedia entry: “The word _chicane_ is derived from the French verb _chicaner_, which means “to create difficulties” or “to dispute pointlessly”, “quibble”, which is also the root of the English noun _chicanery_.” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9138 "2024-03-08T12:59:11Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > This is just me learning a new word, but I found it interesting. When I was a kid the Gilbert company (the same folks who made the Erector set and those home Chemistry Labs) had a slot car track called the _Auto-rama_ that featured an air gap in the track that the slot car leaped over. In TV ads and print ads on the back covers of comic books they touted this as the **"Fly-Over Chicane**. It was the first time I ever heard the word. But when I first heard of “chicanery” it was pretty clear where the word came from > **[1967 Print AD Gilbert Auto-rama With the Fly-over Chicane Toy Car Set - Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1215198867/1967-print-ad-gilbert-auto-rama-with-the)** > > This Digital Prints item is sold by BoutiqueShipShop. Ships from Canada. Listed on Jan 15, 2024 > **[Auto-Rama Miniature Racing from Gilbert Toys (1963) | Toy Tales](https://toytales.ca/autorama-miniature-racing-from-gilbert-toys-1963/)** > > The Fly-Over Chicane was an add-on accessory that could be installed on any American Flyer Auto-Rama race set. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2024, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9139 "2024-03-08T16:02:38Z")
Perhaps it’s not random, but it had never occurred to me that if a person cannot be President (such as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas) then they logically can’t be the “designated survivor” during the SOTU speech. So if you’re planning an evil takeover, make sure you’re a citizen! ---
**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:** [March 8, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9140 "2024-03-08T16:42:01Z")
In a tangentially related matter, Senate floor privileges are given to any member of congress for life. That includes expelled representative George Santos. All Supreme Court justices [and many other are granted the same privilege.](https://riddick.gpo.gov/documents/Floor%20Privileges.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9141 "2024-03-08T16:44:23Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > for life But automatically revoked if convicted of a felony, I believe. ---
**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:** [March 8, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9142 "2024-03-08T17:37:49Z")
I looked for something like that, but have not found that exception yet. [Rules of the Senate](https://www.rules.senate.gov/rules-of-the-senate#:~:text=PRIVILEGE%20OF%20THE%20FLOOR,elect%20of%20the%20United%20States) See section XXIII - Privilege of the Floor ETA: @Pleonast, I just now found this matter in the [House Rules:](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46790) > [@](#): > > Floor Privileges Removed, Certain Convicted Individuals > The rules package amended clause 4(a) of Rule IV to add language revoking floor privileges for any former Member, Parliamentarian, elected officer, or minority employee nominated as an elected officer if such individual “has been convicted by a court of record for the commission of a crime in relation to that individual’s election to, or service to, the House.” This prohibition includes the chamber’s adjacent rooms and the Speaker’s lobby and the cloakrooms but shall not apply to joint sessions and other occasions designated by the Speaker. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9143 "2024-03-08T17:38:46Z")
I may be conflating with the House rules. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9144 "2024-03-09T01:46:26Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > make sure you’re a citizen! And a “natural born” one! ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9145 "2024-03-09T04:39:16Z")
Charles Schulz hated the title _Peanuts_ for his cartoon strip, a fact which probably anyone knows if they have looked into the origins and history of the strip at all. They probably also know that United Features Syndicate, which took up the strip in 1950, determined that they couldn’t use the original name, _Li’l Folks_ because it was already a registered trademark. Wildly popular at the time was the _Howdy Doody_ show, on which the studio audience was called the Peanut Gallery. I think most people know this as well. But what I learned just now is that the audience _members_ were called Peanuts, as the UFS production manager noted. So that’s where the title of the comic strip came from. From what I’ve read, Charles Schulz detested the title all his life, which I find a tad surprising. I always found _Peanuts_ to be unique in the world of comic strips about groups of kids in the same way that the Beatles were unique in the world of popular music. Both names are practically meaningless in literal terms, but the creative efforts of both are monumental, though perhaps you need to have grown up with both to really see that. I think if your creation or musical group has a meaningless name, yet that name is supremely evocative because of how good the creative output is, it’s a badge of honor. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9146 "2024-03-09T07:29:01Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I always found _Peanuts_ to be unique in the world of comic strips about groups of kids in the same way that the Beatles were unique in the world of popular music. Both names are practically meaningless in literal terms, but the creative efforts of both are monumental, though perhaps you need to have grown up with both to really see that. The difference is the Beatles came up with their own name (John Lennon , as I understand it), whereas by your account Peanuts was foisted on Schultz. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9147 "2024-03-09T08:37:15Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > The difference is the Beatles came up with their own name (John Lennon , as I understand it), whereas by your account Peanuts was foisted on Schultz. I agree that makes an obvious difference in how the Beatles themselves perceived their band name, but to the wider public it made little sense. Of course the BEAT part was suggestive, but why Beat-les? Except for the fact that Schulz hated the name Peanuts, I think the perception of the public might have been quite similar in the early days as it was with the Beatles. In the end, each name came to denote something iconic and unique in its field. Musically there were the Beatles, and everyone else. There were a lot of good bands and great music, but the Beatles were in a class of their own. Peanuts was similar. I’m kind of surprised that Schulz never warmed up to the name, because it kind of fits. “Li’l Folks” or “Charlie Brown And His Friends” as names would have been much more ordinary. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9148 "2024-03-09T10:16:49Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > I agree that makes an obvious difference in how the Beatles themselves perceived their band name, but to the wider public it made little sense. Of course the BEAT part was suggestive, but why Beat-les? It was inspired by the Crickets, Buddy Holly’s band. They worked in the beat pun, and IMHO came up with a perfect band name. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9149 "2024-03-09T14:17:50Z")
In both cases the quality of the product had much more to do with its success than its name. I haven’t seen names all that significant to either art form. Attempts at using catchy names hasn’t helped anyone achieve the type of success Peanuts or Beatles found. ---
**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:** [March 9, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9150 "2024-03-09T14:43:21Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > > [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > > > Of course the BEAT part was suggestive, but why Beat-les? > > It was inspired by the Crickets, Buddy Holly’s band. They worked in the beat pun, and IMHO came up with a perfect band name. Obviously the Beat-less would not do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=456) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=458)