# 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:** 95
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1884 "2021-05-06T15:58:30Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > The document proposes a solution involving solid ballast (which is more dense than seawater and can be more advantageously positioned), but it doesn’t say whether that was ever implemented. Engineers did actually propose that the ship’s rations be stowed there, in order to induce a grocery list. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1885 "2021-05-06T18:10:24Z")
I … what … ohhhhhh. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2021, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1886 "2021-05-06T23:30:39Z")
The theory that Allosaurs (and by extension other large carnivorous dinosaurs such as the T.Rex) were largely scavengers and not predators is belied by the fossil record, which shows that they occasionally had fatal encounters (for them) with stegosaurs. [A few years back, paleontologists found part of an Allosaur that had gotten hit in the crotch by the thagomizer](http://westerndigs.org/allosaurus-died-from-stegosaur-spike-to-the-crotch-wyoming-fossil-shows/). (Have they settled this question of predator vs scavenger yet, or are they still arguing about it?) And today I see a tweet that an Allosaur has been found that survived a similar encounter, because a fragment of a thagomizer was found embedded and healed over in the Allosaur’s pubic bone. ---
**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:** [May 6, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1887 "2021-05-06T23:59:53Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > . [A few years back, paleontologists found part of an Allosaur that had gotten hit in the crotch by the thagomizer](http://westerndigs.org/allosaurus-died-from-stegosaur-spike-to-the-crotch-wyoming-fossil-shows/). How do they know it wasn’t a mild mannered Allosaur and Stegosaurus with an attitude? ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1888 "2021-05-07T00:24:47Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > (Have they settled this question of predator vs scavenger yet, or are they still arguing about it?) Allosaurus lived about 100 million years before Tyrannosaurus which is plenty of time for feeding habits to evolve from predator to scavenger if Allosaurus was indeed a predator. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1889 "2021-05-07T01:03:44Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > (Have they settled this question of predator vs scavenger yet, or are they still arguing about it?) It seems they have mostly settled it in favor of T. Rex being a predator. > **[Final Word? T. Rex Indeed a Ferocious Killer](https://www.livescience.com/11641-final-word-rex-ferocious-killer.html)** > > The fierce-looking dinosaur has muscle behind that bite. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1890 "2021-05-07T01:14:15Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > It seems they have mostly settled it in favor of T. Rex being a predator. This National Geo author seems to state emphatically that T Rex was both scavenger and predator. [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/time-to-slay-the-t-rex-scavenger-debate](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/time-to-slay-the-t-rex-scavenger-debate) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1891 "2021-05-07T04:38:50Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The _Bismarck_ was the second largest battleship ever launched by the Nazis; her sister ship – _[Tirpitz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Tirpitz)_ – had a larger displacement. > > The Nazis created chlorosulphuric fogs to hide _Tirpitz_ when she was not on patrol, the acid from this fog is suspected to have stunted the growth of nearby trees. > > [How the Nazis' Largest Battleship Is Still Affecting Norway Today](https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/navy-ships/a19747226/nazi-battleship-tirpitz-chemical-fog/) No mention of the effects on the people who breathed that shit. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1892 "2021-05-07T21:19:47Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > > > The document proposes a solution involving solid ballast (which is more dense than seawater and can be more advantageously positioned), but it doesn’t say whether that was ever implemented. > > Engineers did actually propose that the ship’s rations be stowed there, in order to induce a grocery list. Cute. 😀 One of my bros flew off a Nimitz class carrier for few tours. Really. He used to bitch that their quarters were in the space between the underside of the flight deck and the ceiling of the hangar deck. So between maintenance work going on below, and airplanes and catapults and vehicles and such above, there was loud banging and roaring and thumping noises 24/7. So sleep was always difficult. But a few decks down, where they stowed all the soda and canned goods it was always quiet; eerily quiet. He really wanted them to turn that around. Put the soda where it’s noisy and the bunks where it’s quiet. Seemed sensible to him. Little did he know it was actually @velomont’s plan trying to prevent the ship from capsizing. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1893 "2021-05-08T05:08:12Z")
The humble musk ox produces a fine wool called qiviut. It is of exceptional quality, softer than cashmere and stronger than any sheep’s wool. Unfortunately, you’ll likely not see too many qiviut sweaters for sale; it’s incredibly expensive, as the animal cannot practically be sheared live and the musk ox has to die to cough it up. A well made qiviut sweater will run you a few thousand dollars. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1894 "2021-05-08T14:40:34Z")
If you ever go on a cruise, always make sure that you get a cabin surrounded by other cabins. You really don’t want to be under the running track or a restaurant, next to a lift motor, or within hearing distance of the stage. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1895 "2021-05-08T14:45:22Z")
Good advice. I’ve been on one sea cruise. We happened to be issued a cabin that was at one of the high vibration spots on the ship. Cabins above, below, and on both sides. But as you walked the corridor you could feel the amplitude of machinery vibration growing from none to little to some to a bunch. Peaking right at our door then declining to imperceptible as you continued along the corridor. It didn’t much bother me; I sleep on airplanes a lot. But wife had a real hard time with it. The ship was built in France so she re-christened it “Ze Citroën of ze Seaz”. Haven’t cruised since mostly as a result of that unhappy little sleep deprivation exercise. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1896 "2021-05-08T17:42:35Z")
P-38 Lightning found under nearly 300 feet of ice in '92 was disassembled in situ and brought up piece-by-piece then reassembled and restored to flying condition. > **[Glacier Girl](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Girl)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > Glacier Girl is a Lockheed P-38F Lightning, World War II fighter plane, 41-7630, c/n 222-5757, that was restored to flying condition after being buried beneath the Greenland ice sheet for over 50 years. > On 15 July 1942, due to poor weather and limited visibility, six P-38 fighters of 94th Fighter Squadron/1st FG and two B-17 bombers of a bombardment squadron were forced to return to Greenland en route to the British Isles during Operation Bolero ... ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1897 "2021-05-08T21:29:03Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > P-38 Lightning found under nearly 300 feet of ice in '92 was disassembled in situ and brought up piece-by-piece then reassembled and restored to flying condition. This is an excellent documentary about the attempt to recover another aircraft. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPQ6KRXvYtI) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1898 "2021-05-08T23:56:01Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > If you ever go on a cruise, always make sure that you get a cabin surrounded by other cabins. You really don’t want to be under the running track or a restaurant, next to a lift motor, or within hearing distance of the stage. I just an hour ago started listening to Dead Wake, the story of The Lusitania. The ship was fast and luxurious, but that didn’t stop the hoity-toity passengers complained that in the cabins under the “public typing suites”, the noise of the typewriters was annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1899 "2021-05-09T14:54:51Z")
Carl Norden (of bombsight fame) was a classmate (Zurich’s Federal Polytechnic School) with Lenin. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1900 "2021-05-10T00:36:17Z")
Brazil’s northernmost point is closer to Nova Scotia than it is to its southernmost point. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1901 "2021-05-10T06:11:33Z")
The term “banana republic” was coined by writer O. Henry when he was on the lam in a banana republic. William Sydney Porter was in Honduras escaping extradition for embezzling funds from a Texas bank. There, in 1897, he described a banana republic in a short story published as “Cabbages and Kings”, ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2021, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1902 "2021-05-10T07:04:35Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > in a short story published as “Cabbages and Kings”, “Cabbages and Kings” was a book length novel made up of short stories (probably that was all the author was able to write). ---
**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:** [May 10, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1903 "2021-05-10T16:10:13Z")
Dracula’s Castle is offering free COVID vaccinations. Really > [@](#): > > A [Romanian castle](https://cnn.com/travel/article/dracula-castle-transylvania-romania/index.html) said to be the home of Dracula is offering free [Covid-19 jabs](https://cnn.com/2021/05/10/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html) to visitors as part of a vaccination drive. > > Bran Castle, in Transylvania, announced its Pfizer BionTech Vaccine Marathon in a Facebook [post](https://www.facebook.com/BranDraculasCastle/posts/5469050989833729) published Friday. > > Completed in 1388, the castle sits outside the city of Brasov. It resembles the castle inhabited by Count Dracula, the main character in Irish author Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” published in 1897. > > Dracula is thought to have been inspired by the bloodthirsty 15th-century ruler Vlad III Dracula, commonly known as Vlad the Impaler, who ordered the brutal torture and killing of tens of thousands of people during his reign. > > The castle has become a popular tourist attraction, and those who visit on any weekend in May will be able to get a vaccination without an appointment, according to the Facebook post. > > “All beneficiaries will receive a ‘vaccination diploma at Bran Castle’ and, if they choose to visit the Castle, will have free access to the Exhibition of Medieval Instruments of Torture,” reads the post, which adds that you can get a vaccine without entering the castle if you prefer. [https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/dracula-castle-covid-vaccination-center-scli-intl/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/dracula-castle-covid-vaccination-center-scli-intl/index.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=94) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=96)