# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785 "2024-07-25T15:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 102
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2021 "2025-03-30T14:33:21Z")
I wonder why it took so long to announce when he Wint. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2022 "2025-03-30T14:47:07Z")
I recently found out that the word tuition also means the information being taught in a class. I was surprised to see the word being used this way in a book I was reading. Apparently this is the original meaning of the word. When you took a class to learn its tuition, you had to pay the tuition fees. And over time the phrase tuition fees got shortened to just tuition and word acquired its new meaning. ---
**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 30, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2023 "2025-03-30T15:25:19Z")
I’m reading a book about a large colony of illustrators, cartoonists, and comic book artists who lived and worked in Fairfield County, CT in the mid-20th Century. Many were alumni of the Art Student League in Manhattan. The first class a budding cartoonist would seek out was anatomical drawing and that class was taught by one George Bridgman. Bridgman had studied with Jean-Léon Gérôme in Paris in the 1880s. Gérôme had been trained by Paul Delaroche, who had been trained by Antoine-Jean Baron Gros, who had been trained by Jacques-Louis David, who had been trained by François Boucher, who had been trained by François Le Moyne— the author’s father, cartoonist John Cullen Murphy (_Big Ben Bolt, Prince Valiant_) claimed he could likely have pushed that pedigree back to Raphael and Fra Angelico. By 1960, Bridgman only had one really famous student among the giants of 20th Century Fine Art; Mark Rothko, who isn’t exactly remembered for his depictions of the human body. However, the next step in that pedigree was to be found in the work of Norman Rockwell and a sizable chunk of the funny pages. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2024 "2025-03-30T15:34:14Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The other classical ‘peaceful meadow sunrise’ piece is the [Morning Mood](https://youtu.be/J-1Bob1dU18) portion of Edvard Grieg’s _Peer Gynt_ suite. I was amazed and amused when I learned a few years ago that in the play for which the music was originally written, “Morning Mood” is not a peaceful meadow scene. It accompanies a scene that finds "Peer Gynt stranded in the Moroccan desert after his companions took his yacht and abandoned him there while he slept. The scene begins with the following description: “Dawn. [Acacias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia) and [palm trees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecaceae). Peer [Gynt] is sitting in his tree using a wrenched-off branch to defend himself against a group of monkeys.” > **[Morning Mood | Setting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_Mood#Setting)** > > The piece depicts the rising of the sun during Act 4, scene 4, of Ibsen's play, which finds Peer Gynt stranded in the Moroccan desert after his companions took his yacht and abandoned him there while he slept. The scene begins with the following description: "Dawn. Acacias and palm trees. Peer \[Gynt\] is sitting in his tree using a wrenched-off branch to defend himself against a group of monkeys." > As the Peer Gynt suites take their pieces out of the original context of the play, "Morning Mood" is... ---
**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:** [March 30, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2025 "2025-03-30T15:38:30Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > [Entry of the Gladiators](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0) is usually used as a “circus” theme today, but it was composed as a serious military march in 1897 When it was first used in the circus it was ironically. You’d hear the music and expect a bunch of bad ass soldiers marching in synch and then the clowns would all come in acting goofy. Now it’s associated with clowns in our mind and comes across as a silly song. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2026 "2025-03-31T15:57:31Z")
A jazz piece that was used in a few Warner Bros cartoons as a background to industrial processes is the middle section of Powerhouse by Raymond Scott: [Raymond Scott - Powerhouse [mp3]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaC0vNLdLvY) Starts at about 1:24 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2027 "2025-03-31T16:06:17Z")
Ha! Of all unlikely places, I discovered that in the mid-1990s on the old “Talk Soup” when they aired a clip of Australian yodeling chanteuse extraordinaire [Mary Schneider](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_G_0vgEYJg), who is still alive at 92! ---
**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 31, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2028 "2025-03-31T18:52:05Z")
Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was buried under an apple tree. A couple centuries later, they dug up his grave to move him. He wasn’t there any more. In his place there was a tree root following the alignment of Roger’s body. It bifurcated and both roots turned up at the end. Like legs and feet. The tree _ATE_ Roger Williams. That root is kept in the basement of the Rhode Island Historical Society, but they hate if you ask about it. ---
**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 31, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2029 "2025-03-31T18:56:26Z")
I hope the apples from that tree tasted good! ---
**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 31, 2025, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2030 "2025-03-31T19:10:57Z")
They keep old Rog right next to the TV. [![](https://img.atlasobscura.com/JGKTEacH3Ve5GloU4JFmhnLH83Cx1bEOD3x310wLeUE/rt:fit/w:1200/q:80/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8wOWJj/ZWRmMTVkZjQxY2Jm/NGNiYjQyYmE3NGEy/OGUzYTQ5MzFmYjdk/LmpwZw.webp) ](https://img.atlasobscura.com/JGKTEacH3Ve5GloU4JFmhnLH83Cx1bEOD3x310wLeUE/rt:fit/w:1200/q:80/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8wOWJj/ZWRmMTVkZjQxY2Jm/NGNiYjQyYmE3NGEy/OGUzYTQ5MzFmYjdk/LmpwZw.webp) ---
**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 31, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2031 "2025-03-31T19:11:47Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was buried under an apple tree. A couple centuries later, they dug up his grave to move him. He wasn’t there any more. In his place there was a tree root following the alignment of Roger’s body. It bifurcated and both roots turned up at the end. Like legs and feet. The tree _ATE_ Roger Williams. That root is kept in the basement of the Rhode Island Historical Society, but they hate if you ask about it. They not only reported on this at the **Roadside America** website, they made the Williams-devouring tree root into a sort of mascot > **[Tree Root That Ate Roger Williams, Providence, Rhode Island](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2210)** > > A carnivorous tree digested the decomposing carcass of the founder of Rhode Island -- and its hungry root is on display! (Note picture at bottom of the above webpage) > **[Providence, RI - Tree Root That Ate Roger Williams](https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1156)** > > Visit reports, news, maps, directions and info on Tree Root That Ate Roger Williams in Providence, Rhode Island. ---
**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, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2032 "2025-03-31T20:00:27Z")
[Some more details about the matter.](https://www.rihs.org/the-root-of-the-matter/) ---
**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 31, 2025, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2033 "2025-03-31T20:07:41Z")
The “human” resemblance reminds me of the folklore about mandrake roots. > **[Mandrake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake)** > > A mandrake is the root of a plant, historically derived either from plants of the genus Mandragora (in the family Solanaceae) found in the Mediterranean region, or from other species, such as Bryonia alba (the English mandrake, in the family Cucurbitaceae) or the American mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum in the family Berberidaceae) which have similar properties. The plants from which the root is obtained are also called "mandrakes". Mediterranean mandrakes are perennial herbaceous plants with ovat... ---
**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 31, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2034 "2025-03-31T20:37:42Z")
I just learned today that the word “companion” comes from roots meaning “ones who break bread together”. Which should have been obvious; the word roots are right there, but I never noticed it before. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2035 "2025-03-31T20:43:09Z")
Of all places, I learned that in an episode of the 1960s “Dragnet.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2036 "2025-03-31T20:51:48Z")
From Bill Gannon? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2037 "2025-03-31T20:56:29Z")
Yep. Often in the introductory scene there would be some light-hearted, sometimes bordering on comical, banter from Gannon to Friday. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2038 "2025-03-31T21:00:20Z")
I remember. I just found two episode starting at 14:30 on fetv. When my dad wanted to ‘comment’ that someone was in trouble, he’d say, ‘Dum-de-DUM-dummm.’ ---
**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:** [April 1, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2039 "2025-04-01T00:13:26Z")
The title for the _Dragnet_ theme is “Danger Ahead,” composed by Walter Schumann, derived from Miklós Rózsa’s score for 1946 film _The Killers._ ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2025, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/2040 "2025-04-01T01:30:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > When my dad wanted to ‘comment’ that someone was in trouble, he’d say, ‘Dum-de-DUM-dummm.’ Or as an early issue of _MAD_ magazine had it: [![](https://c7.alamy.com/comp/2X3EHM7/dragged-net!-page-1-vintage-american-comics-2X3EHM7.jpg) ](https://c7.alamy.com/comp/2X3EHM7/dragged-net!-page-1-vintage-american-comics-2X3EHM7.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=101) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=103)