# 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:** 463
**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:** [March 30, 2024, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9253 "2024-03-30T01:21:09Z")
I remembered a thread that had a lot of info on the subject. [Could I legally will my corpse skin to be turned into leather?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-legally-will-my-corpse-skin-to-be-turned-into-leather/673874) ---
**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:** [March 30, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9254 "2024-03-30T01:58:28Z")
There was a stage actor in Toronto who willed his skull to his theater troupe to be used as a prop. He said his dream role was Yorik, but he’d be happy just serving as ambiance in some desert scene or something. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9255 "2024-03-30T02:34:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > There was a stage actor in Toronto who willed his skull to his theater troupe [EVEN AFTER DEATH, DEL CLOSE AHEAD OF ACTING CROWD – Chicago Tribune](https://www.chicagotribune.com/1999/07/02/even-after-death-del-close-ahead-of-acting-crowd/) ---
**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:** [March 30, 2024, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9256 "2024-03-30T11:38:48Z")
Huh, why did I misremember the city? But yeah, that’s definitely the guy I was thinking of. ---
**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 31, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9257 "2024-03-31T12:03:32Z")
Most mammals are nocturnal. > In mammals, the majority of species are nocturnal (69%). Diurnal (20%) and crepuscular (2.5%) species are geographically distributed in regions of the world with biologically useful day- or twilight, respectively. [Cite](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/diurnality#:~:text=In%20mammals%2C%20the%20majority%20of,day%2D%20or%20twilight%2C%20respectively.) …and the next sentence in that cite sent me scurrying off to google > Finally, cathemeral (8.5%) species are often found in polar regions with long periods of light and dark (Bennie, Duffy, Inger, & Gaston, 2014). > **[Cathemerality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathemerality)** > > Cathemerality, sometimes called "metaturnality", is an organismal activity pattern of irregular intervals during the day or night in which food is acquired, socializing with other organisms occurs, and any other activities necessary for livelihood are undertaken. This activity differs from the generally monophasic pattern (sleeping once per day) of nocturnal and diurnal species as it is polyphasic (sleeping 4-6 times per day) and is approximately evenly distributed throughout the 24-hour cycle Ma... j ---
**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 31, 2024, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9258 "2024-03-31T12:09:32Z")
The Barbie doll was co-designed by aerospace engineer Jack Ryan. > **[Jack Ryan (designer)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Ryan_(designer))** > > John W. Ryan (November 12, 1926 – August 13, 1991) was an American designer. Ryan worked at toy company Mattel for 20 years, becoming the company's vice president of research and development, and subsequently working as a consultant. He was responsible for the Barbie doll, Hot Wheels, and Chatty Cathy. He was the sixth husband of actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. > Ryan graduated from Yale University, after which he worked at aerospace company Raytheon as an engineer, working on the AIM-7 Sparrow and MIM-... Interesting guy. j ---
**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 31, 2024, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9259 "2024-03-31T12:12:49Z")
Yes, and many animals are turning more nocturnal, because of us: > **[More Mammals Are Becoming Nocturnal Due to Human Activity](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/news-humans-making-mammals-nocturnal-behavior-ecology)** > > As people increasingly encroach on animal habitats, more wild creatures are taking refuge in the night. > **[Humans Are Driving Other Mammals to Become More Nocturnal](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/humans-are-driving-other-mammals-to-become-more-nocturnal/)** > > The shift could change which prey animals hunt or make it harder to find food > **[Some Animals Are Desperately Turning Nocturnal, Study Shows](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/a46597422/warming-temperatures-are-turning-animals-nocturnal/)** > > Why these creatures of the day are increasingly embracing the cover of darkness. The only animals I see during daytime in the marsh are insects, squirrels and birds. ---
**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 31, 2024, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9260 "2024-03-31T12:14:45Z")
(Post deleted owing to massive stupidity on my part) j ---
**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 31, 2024, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9261 "2024-03-31T13:27:51Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > The only animals I see during daytime in the marsh are insects, squirrels and birds. It’s a bit of a hijack, but this started me thinking about what wild mammals do I actually see, day to day, and the only real everyday one is the grey squirrel. Foxes fairly commonly (but often at dusk/night). Deer maybe once or twice a week. Rats and mice from time to time. That’s about it, I think. /hijack. j ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9262 "2024-03-31T14:56:46Z")
It’s more common than you think for both humans and animals to have biphasic sleep patterns. This is when someone or something sleeps in two shifts. It used to be more common among humans before industrialization. The industrial revolution began in the early eighteenth century: [Biphasic Sleep: History and Benefits](https://sleepdoctor.com/how-sleep-works/biphasic-sleep/#:~:text=Biphasic%20sleep%20was%20once%20a,first%20and%20second%20nighttime%20sleep). [https://www.google.com/search?q=How+common+is+biphaiic+sleep+among+animals%3F&rlz=1C1VDKB\_enUS985US985&oq=How+common+is+biphaiic+sleep+among+animals%3F&gs\_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKAB0gEKMTczMjVqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?q=How+common+is+biphaiic+sleep+among+animals%3F&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS985US985&oq=How+common+is+biphaiic+sleep+among+animals%3F&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKAB0gEKMTczMjVqMGoxNagCCLACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) [https://www.google.com/search?q=when+did+industrial+revolution+start&rlz=1C1VDKB\_enUS985US985&oq=When+did+indus&gs\_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBggCEEUYOTIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABKgCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8](https://www.google.com/search?q=when+did+industrial+revolution+start&rlz=1C1VDKB_enUS985US985&oq=When+did+indus&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBggCEEUYOTIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABKgCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) ---
**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 31, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9263 "2024-03-31T15:56:15Z")
Also called segmented or punctuated sleep. There are written records describing this common practice before TV and other lighting systems were invented. People would sleep for a few hours then spend an hour or two doing what is possible by candlelight. Or other stuff that couples might do in the middle of the night. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9264 "2024-04-02T15:35:08Z")
A small factoid I came across in a work meeting just now. The dot above an i or a j is known as a tittle. This lead me to wonder aloud if I could replace the term “dotting the i’s” with the word _titillate_. So I could say, “I’ll be with you in a second, I’ve just got to titillate this sentence”. Alas the etymology of titillate has nothing to do with the little tittle that we use on our letters. But I may take up the cause. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9265 "2024-04-02T16:40:55Z")
If the dot is a _tittle_ I guess the right verb would be _to tittilate_, with double t and single l. And the cross in the t is called a bar, so you would have to tittilate and bar (or bar and tittilate, whichever sounds better in your ears) the sentence to be completely thorough. Searching this I learned that “[crossing the T](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_T)” is a naval maneuver that precedes the expression. An American expression, it seems. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9266 "2024-04-02T16:54:54Z")
As far as I can see _tittilate_ is not an existing word. I mean it’s now one in my vocabulary obviously and I fully intend to use it as much as possible; however the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein might have a word or two to say to me about inventing my own private language. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9267 "2024-04-02T17:06:56Z")
You have to start somewhere when you coin a new word and hope others take it up. Perhaps they will, if it is a good one. I believe I might have contributed to _Fremdschämen_ in German based on the Spanish _vergüenza ajena_, and if not, it was simultaneous resonance. As [I have stated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across/851674/6105) a couple [of times here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-word-for-feeling-embarrassed-for-someone-else/998851/21), the thought of it [titillates me pink](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-2/984250/3343). ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9268 "2024-04-02T17:15:44Z")
As seen fossilized in the expression “every jot and tittle”. ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9269 "2024-04-02T17:33:25Z")
Great. What the hell’s a “jot”? ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9270 "2024-04-02T17:55:43Z")
I believe it is the English (and therefore idiosyncratic) spelling for the Phoenician letter [Yodh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yodh) (_yōd_) which in turn turned into the Greek letter [Iota](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iota) (ιώτα) which is the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. Small was used as a metaphor for looking and caring for details, thus the expression **Chronos** alluded to. This letter turned into the modern [J, j](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J) (long story) which in its lower case sports a tittle. Which closes the loop. Obscure, huh? I hope five “which” are not too many. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9271 "2024-04-02T19:44:10Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Great. What the hell’s a “jot”? Jesus used the phrase “jot and tittle” , saying that nothing in the existing Jewish law would change, i.e. every detail, every “jot and tittle” is true. In Hebrew calligraphy, certain small flourishes are called jots, others are called tittles. Jesus spoke Hebrew, so it was an expression that would be easily understood by his audience. > **[What is a jot? What is a tittle? | GotQuestions.org](https://www.gotquestions.org/jot-tittle.html)** > > What is a jot? What is a tittle? What does it mean that neither a jot nor a tittle will disappear from God’s Law? ---
**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:** [April 2, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9272 "2024-04-02T20:10:36Z")
That seems like an odd translation to me as the extensions on the edges of letters are called serifs not tittles. And I think that Hebrew character is actually pronounced “yod” which is the latin equivalent of Y. [![](https://newenglandrepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BP-Serif-SansSerif-Graphic1.jpg) ](https://newenglandrepro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/BP-Serif-SansSerif-Graphic1.jpg) So, look I’ve corrected the bible for you 😉: > For I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one Y or one serif shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (I’m assuming the rest of the sentence is accurate, but I’m not so confident now) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=462) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=464)