# 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:** 98
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1944 "2021-05-14T16:50:55Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > It’s still amazes me that there was no major sports team on the west coast until 1958. It was not practically possible to have a continental baseball league without safe an reliable air travel. Baseball is played more or less every day but a train ride from Pittsburgh to LA is not a simple redeye type of trip. You could have done football, tho. My fact: despite the name and association with Indian cuisine, Vindaloo is originally Portuguese. The name derives from the Portuguese “vinha d’alhos,” which means “marinated in garlic.” ---
**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 14, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1945 "2021-05-14T17:02:44Z")
Good point about the planes. Trains were one of the crucial elements of modern pro sports emerging in the late 19th century along with the telegraph and high speed printing presses. Without planes the element of rapid travel was missing from the west coast. Didn’t know about vindaloo exactly, but it is a dish associated with the Indian state Goa, which was a Portuguese colony. OTOH ‘arigato’ in Japanese, a word used to say ‘Thank you’, was not picked up from the similar sounding Portuguese ‘obrigato’ meaning ‘Thank you’. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1946 "2021-05-14T17:21:14Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Max That “beauty micrometer” looks scary as hell. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1947 "2021-05-14T19:42:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > My fact: despite the name and association with Indian cuisine, Vindaloo is originally Portuguese. The name derives from the Portuguese “vinha d’alhos,” which means “marinated in garlic.” I have no reason to doubt you (and sadly my vindaloo eating days are long gone) but every vindaloo I ever had included potatoes - the same thing you get in aloo gobi, sag aloo… OK, so if your derivation is correct, we have to ask: was there a critical point when the etymology had been forgotten, and a chef (presumably new to the dish) suddenly thought: _Hang on - vind **aloo**? - better put some potatoes in this!_ And with that, the history of the world changed course. j ---
**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:** [May 14, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1948 "2021-05-14T20:53:38Z")
Jonesing for some chicken Vindaloo now. ---
**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 14, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1949 "2021-05-14T20:59:31Z")
The chicken vindaloo from this place was by far the spiciest food I ever ate. https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!4v1621025876739!6m8!1m7!1swH6zZ_EajBHXamS86FLb_Q!2m2!1d38.89683341177011!2d-77.12576227218891!3f303.8473503435897!4f-5.662318360481024!5f2.0202192030347113 I can feel my mouth burning just thinking about it! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1950 "2021-05-14T21:40:26Z")
The hotter the better. ---
**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 14, 2021, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1951 "2021-05-14T23:12:38Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I have no reason to doubt you (and sadly my vindaloo eating days are long gone) but every vindaloo I ever had included potatoes - the same thing you get in aloo gobi, sag aloo… > > OK, so if your derivation is correct, we have to ask: was there a critical point when the etymology had been forgotten, and a chef (presumably new to the dish) suddenly thought: _Hang on - vind **aloo**? - better put some potatoes in this!_ > > And with that, the history of the world changed course. As well, AFAIK garlic has no particular prominence in Vindaloo; it’s just a minor constituent of the spice blend. Certainly garlic’s not a very apt namesake for the whole dish. So I’d sooner go with your “aloo” = potatoes etymology than @RickJay’s Portuguese garlic version. Not that I have any actual expertise on the point other than eating a lot of Vindaloo over the years. I’ve mostly given up on it since I don’t eat much potato rather than I don’t each much spicy hot. If I’m going to have a halfway decent helping of basmati I have no carbs left to waste on silly potatoes. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2021, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1952 "2021-05-14T23:20:08Z")
The word “canter” meaning a three-beat gait a bit faster than a medium trot, is derived from “Canterbury Gallop” which is the slow easy pace that pilgrims to the shrine of St.Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral used. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1953 "2021-05-14T23:29:42Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > It’s been open sine 1909 Dang, I was betting on the Cozy Inn in Janesville, WI. But they opened their doors in 1922. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2021, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1954 "2021-05-14T23:33:41Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The chicken vindaloo from this place was by far the spiciest food I ever ate. Phal is the hottest curry. But I think it might be an invention of the Indian restaurants in the UK rather like the chicken tikka massala. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2021, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1955 "2021-05-15T12:05:44Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > It’s still amazes me that there was no major sports team on the west coast until 1958. I think the population of LA County was already well over 4 million by then. It would have been a 40-50 hour train trip from either Chicago or St. Louis (the MLB cities closest to LA at the time). That would be two days between games - not unreasonable - and you wouldn’t have to worry about rainouts in LA. (I would assume the teams would have a private train - not depending on scheduled services). A four-game series, and then you’re back on the rails again with another two-day break. Probably more double-headers would have had to have been scheduled to keep the season a manageable length. Another option would have been to have LA play several series at home prior to the standard Opening Day (e.g. April 14 in 1930 - not around April 1 like now) - in particular, those teams that did spring training in Arizona - a shorter train ride away than Florida. ---
**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 15, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1956 "2021-05-15T12:52:40Z")
Max’s brother Jake was a piece of work. > **[John Factor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Factor)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > John Factor (October 8, 1892 – January 22, 1984), born Iakov Faktorowicz and widely known as Jake "The Barber" Factor, was a Prohibition-era gangster and con artist affiliated with the Chicago Outfit. > Factor was born Iakov Faktorowicz on October 8, 1892, in Łódź, Congress Poland, to Avrum (Abraham) Iakov Faktorowicz and his wife, Leah. His father was a rabbi, and he had one sibling, a sister, Dena. Like his more-famous older half-brother, Max F... ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1957 "2021-05-15T14:11:47Z")
Speaking of Dodger Stadium, it once helped keep a [guy](https://nypost.com/2017/09/23/how-curb-your-enthusiasm-saved-this-man-from-prison/) out of prison. Long story short: Juan Catalan scored last-minute tickets to the game on May 12, 2003. He was later charged in a shooting that happened about 20 miles away from the stadium. He was identified by a witness as the gunman. He was facing the death penalty. As luck would have it, the show \*Curb Your Enthusiasm \* was filming an episode at that exact game. He and his daughter appeared in the background of one scene, and his attorney was able to use that footage to help exonerate his client. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1958 "2021-05-15T15:14:40Z")
Watching **Later With Jools Holland** I learned something I never knew about the famous Scouse band The Zutons, best known for the hit song Valerie. > Well, sometimes I go out by myself > And I look across the water > And I think of all the things of what you’re doing > And in my head I make a picture > Since I’ve come on home > Well, my body’s been a mess > And I miss your ginger hair > And the way you like to dress… So the songwriter has imagined his perfect woman, and pictures himself down on the riverside, gazing across the iconic Mersey – “_And I look across the water_” – dreaming of her. Right? Wrong. According to Noel Gallagher (transcribed by me): **Noel:** One night… we’re on tour, High Flying Birds in New York, and he [Russ] introduces me to Valerie - the actual girl from the song. Who has got ginger hair. **Jools:** Where was she from? Was she from New York? **Noel:** She’s from whatever the bit is across the river in New York – is it New Jersey or something? And Dave had apparently wrote it looking across… every night he would go out there and stare across the water. She’s a real girl. Lovely girl… I’m not sure she realizes how big that song actually became. Here’s the song: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Tom7xAjOu0k/maxresdefault.jpg "The Zutons – Valerie (Later Archive 2006)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tom7xAjOu0k) j PS: if you have access to Later, it’s well worth watching this one. Noel Gallagher is, as always, excellent value. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2021, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1959 "2021-05-15T15:25:15Z")
Missed the edit - it would be better if I had clarified that Russ and Dave were members of the Zutons. Sorry 'bout that. j ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1960 "2021-05-15T15:30:12Z")
Despite the rumors, Joseph Kennedy was not a bootlegger during prohibition. Kennedy did arrange one big shipment of liquor, but that was when repeal was imminent, and not delivered until after. The rumor was spread by his enemies and gained traction when JFK was running. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1961 "2021-05-15T16:17:58Z")
I’m loving the unexpectedness of the Factor family; but here’s something from John’s Wiki page that I had a _Wait-What?_ over: > In late 1962, Factor was scheduled to be deported to the United Kingdom but received a presidential pardon Can this be correct? A deportation would be for an offence committed in a different jurisdiction - in this particular case, the UK. How can a US president “pardon” that? j ---
**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 15, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1962 "2021-05-15T16:22:06Z")
Wouldn’t he be deported from the US for an offense caused here in the US? Then he could be pardoned to prevent deportation. If it was something he did elsewhere he would be extradited. He might be officially deported to perform that extradition, but it would be referenced as extradition usually. ---
**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:** [May 15, 2021, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/1963 "2021-05-15T16:28:50Z")
Don’t want to do a hijack here, but the wiki says: > In 1926, Factor perpetrated a stock scam in England that netted $8 million (equivalent to $94,017,000 in 2019). Some of his victims were members of English royalty…While in the United States, he was tried and sentenced _in absentia_ in England to 24 years in prison. He fought extradition all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court… I presume that’s what the stated pardon related to. At the very least, “Pardon” seems a strange word to use. j [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=97) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=99)