# 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:** 485
**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:** [June 14, 2024, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9693 "2024-06-14T12:36:52Z")
Also called pupillary hippus. My African Grey has dramatic hippus when he is excited. I was in a pet store once with a friend. He stuck out his hand, trying to get a macaw to step onto his arm. I saw the birds pupils oscillating like mad, and told my friend to back off. He ignored me and took a painful bite. While he was holding pressure on his wound, I walked up to the macaw and asked him to step up. His pupils were static. I held out my arm and he hopped on. My friend accused me of being a witch. ---
**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:** [June 14, 2024, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9694 "2024-06-14T12:43:05Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I have found a rabbit hole here. Read about the difference between mammalian pupils and avian pupils. Mammals have smooth muscle cells while birds have a mix of smooth and striated muscle. When sexually aroused, mammalian pupils dilate, while bird pupils constrict. When a mammal’s eye is injured, the response to pain causes the pupil to constrict. This is a good thing, as worse case scenario, if the cornea is breached, a constricted pupil means the iris is more likely to “plug” the defect. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9695 "2024-06-15T14:29:47Z")
[29 intact bottles containing cherries and berries from George & Martha’s time have been found under Mount Vernon during a revitalization project.](https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/history/mount-vernon-fruit-discovery/65-7e867be4-d91a-4e5e-be5c-2cfba924cb6b) > 29 are intact and contain more cherries as well as berries, likely gooseberries or currants. The bottles are slowly drying in the Mount Vernon archaeology lab and will be sent off-site for conservation. > - The cherries are likely candidates for DNA extraction, which could be compared against a database of heirloom varieties to determine the precise species. > - The pits are undergoing an examination to determine if any are viable for germination. ---
**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 15, 2024, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9696 "2024-06-15T15:02:31Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > if any are viable for germination. If they can propagate them (although from seed) imagine the hype: “Get a genuine George Washington cherry tree that you can cut down yourself!” ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9697 "2024-06-15T18:00:01Z")
This week I learned that the national dish of Lichtenstein is macaroni and cheese and the national dish of Luxemburg is pork and beans. Probably much better than the U.S. versions of these dishes but interesting nonetheless. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9698 "2024-06-15T18:36:17Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > the national dish of Lichtenstein The national dish of Liechtenstein is mentioned here: > **[Käsespätzle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A4sesp%C3%A4tzle)** > > Käsespätzle (German for "spätzle with cheese", also called Käsknöpfle in Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein or Kasspatzln in Tyrol) is a traditional dish of the German regions of Swabia, Baden and Allgäu, and also in the Austrian regions Vorarlberg and Tyrol, as well as Liechtenstein and Switzerland. > Hot spätzle and grated cheese such as Emmentaler or granular cheese are layered alternately and finally topped with fried onions. After adding each layer, the käsespätzle is baked until all the cheese is ... It’s popular in various German-speaking countries. It’s not clear that it’s the most common dish. It also seems to be a little different from macaroni and cheese as we know it. Macaroni and cheese is most popular in Canada, where it’s frequently called a Kraft dinner. > [@Ynnad](#): > > the national dish of Luxemburg is pork and beans The national dish there may be Judd mat Gaardebounen, which is pork neck served with broad beans, which I’m not sure if it’s entirely the same as what we call pork and beans. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9699 "2024-06-15T19:53:07Z")
Japan has been periodically donating cherry trees to Washington, DC. [There are current plans to send 250 more for the Semiquincentennial.](https://www.reuters.com/world/kishida-delights-washington-with-promise-250-cherry-trees-independence-gift-2024-04-11) I wonder if they would accept some George Washington cherry seedlings in reciprocation. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9700 "2024-06-15T19:58:54Z")
So tonight I’ll make Saucisse de Viande _Mystérieuse_ cassoulet for dinner, thanks to this thread. ---
**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 16, 2024, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9701 "2024-06-16T10:31:38Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > This week I learned that the national dish of Lichtenstein is macaroni and cheese and the national dish of Luxemburg is pork and beans. I’m tired enough that I misread “dish” as “debt” and was quite confused. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9702 "2024-06-16T13:11:23Z")
> [@Ynnad](#): > > … Lichtenstein … Just for the record, I do know how to spell **Liechtenstein** properly. I don’t know what happened yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9703 "2024-06-16T13:47:52Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > pork neck served with broad beans, which I’m not sure if it’s entirely the same as what we call pork and beans. Depends what sort of beans you use. According to Wikipedia broad beans are also known as fava beans\* - they’re quite large, green, with an extra skin on each bean inside the pod. I’m none too keen. \*Not sure if Luxemburgers have a nice chianti to go with them. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2024, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9704 "2024-06-16T15:52:22Z")
Chianti? Don’t think so. Most (\>90%) of the wine in Luxemburg is either white wine or sparkling wine. Very underrated, the [experts say.](https://www.wineenthusiast.com/basics/region-rundown/luxembourg-wine-guide/) That usually means excellent value for money. ---
**Author:** ![Civil\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d78d45/32.png) [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9705 "2024-06-16T17:07:42Z")
I think that’s a reference to a note reportedly left by Jack the Ripper. ---
**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 16, 2024, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9706 "2024-06-16T17:20:48Z")
It’s a reference to Silence of the Lambs ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9707 "2024-06-16T23:33:56Z")
Long pork and beans. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9708 "2024-06-17T00:30:15Z")
[Long Pig](https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-straight-dope-458/) aka Spam Although if you really want to eat something when you crave a human corpse, Gorgonzola is your go-to. James Joyce called cheese “the corpse of milk.” ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2024, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9709 "2024-06-17T02:19:54Z")
Fava beans are very tasty. They are not closely related to ordinary dry or green beans, which are from the Americas, but are a species of vetch. They’ve been in cultivation in Europe since the Bronze Age. I find them tedious to prepare because of the extra skin but I like them. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9710 "2024-06-17T11:15:24Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > If they can propagate them (although from seed) imagine the hype: > “Get a genuine George Washington cherry tree that you can cut down yourself!” Sounds like Caswell-Massey’s ad for their #6 cologne (which really was purchased by Washington) – “Smell like George Washington” I also have to be pedantic and point out that in the story that started the whole myth in Reverend Weems’ book, George didn’t cut down the cherry tree – he only barked it. ---
**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 17, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9711 "2024-06-17T12:44:01Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > Fava beans are very tasty. For the longest time I thought fava beans were another name for chickpeas. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2024, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/9712 "2024-06-17T13:20:00Z")
They look more like lima beans. Though I’ve never had them, so I can’t comment on the taste. I do have one in my wallet, though, because that’s apparently an Italian good luck practice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=484) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=486)