# 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:** 152
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3021 "2025-08-18T01:10:02Z")
Yes, although getting this across is difficult. Most commercial HFCS is 55% fructose and 45% glucose, although some higher fructose formulations exist. And since honey is a natural product, contamination from outside sources is always a concern. What’s ironic is that agave syrup, the “natural” sweetener that is preferred to the “chemical” varieties, requires a set of fractionation methods and results in a final product that is usually a minimum of 60% fructose, but otherwise quite close to HFCS in its nutritional profile, although it does contain a minute fraction of vitamins that the other lacks. My personal opinion is that sugar is sugar. Too much of any form of it can cause problems, but limited amounts of any form add taste. If you avoided Coke with HFCS definitely avoid it just as assiduously with cane sugar. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3022 "2025-08-18T01:53:13Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > If you avoided Coke with HFCS definitely avoid it just as assiduously with cane sugar. Well, some folks say that the cane sugar version tastes better. I’m not sure, but maybe I just don’t have a very refined palette. If you’re drinking it because you like the taste, and you can accept the sugar levels you’re getting in it, fine. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3023 "2025-08-18T02:43:43Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > Clement II (1005-1047) is the only Pope buried north of the Alps. (Bamberg Cathedral, Bavaria, Southern Germany). ?? Depending on what you mean by ‘Pope’ and ‘North’. Notre-Dame-des-Doms Cathedral, Avignon France?? ---
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3024 "2025-08-18T08:06:31Z")
Avignon to me is clearly SSW of the Alps. Of course, seen from Melbourne’s perspective, it is practically the antipodes. **[John XXII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_XXII)** was indeed a pope and is buried in the Treasury room of the [**Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms d’Avignon**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cath%C3%A9drale_Notre-Dame_des_Doms_d%27Avignon). Nice place to rest: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Tombeau_de_Jean_XXII.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Tombeau_de_Jean_XXII.jpg) ---
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3025 "2025-08-18T12:02:11Z")
If there is any disagreement here, Clement II is the only Pope buried outside of Italy and France. He was Pope for only nine months. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3026 "2025-08-18T22:11:26Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > Clement II is the only Pope buried outside of Italy and France. I have an image of bisections. I knew when Jimmy Stewart died. I liked his movies, and my dad actually communicated with him when dad was in the FAA. What I did _not_ know, was that Stewart elected not to replace the battery in his pacemaker after his wife died. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3027 "2025-08-18T22:27:59Z")
In the 1980s, a visionary had the brilliant idea to propel a ship from Japan to San Francisco, powered by a Chrysler LeBaron driving on a treadmill. Sadly, some narrow-minded bean-counter torpedoed the idea on the basis that it would be a waste of Chrysler’s government bailout money. [https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/the-audacious-pr-stunt-to-prove-that-the-chrysler-lebaron-was-a-world-beater/](https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/the-audacious-pr-stunt-to-prove-that-the-chrysler-lebaron-was-a-world-beater/) ---
**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:** [August 18, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3028 "2025-08-18T22:46:05Z")
I was aware that the Mercedes automobile was names in honor of the daughter of one of the founders. What I did not know is that her name was actually Adriana Manuela Ramona Jellinik, and “Mercedes” was something of a nickname. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3029 "2025-08-19T18:42:05Z")
A few rock facts I stumbled upon this week. Cubby O’Brien, part of the original crew of Mouseketeers in 1955, took over playing the drums on tours when Karen Carpenter moved to become a front singer for visibility. Barbra Steisand was the first major act to record a Donald Fagan/Walter Becker song when she included “I Mean to Shine” on her 1971 album of light rock covers _Barbra Joan Streisand_. The first rock star to be born in the 1950s (other than child acts like Stevie Wonder) is probably Alex Chilton, the lead singer for the BoxTops. Born on December 28, 1950, he was still 16 when “The Letter,” soon to hit number one, was released in August 1967. (Obviously, many future stars born in the 1950s had been in groups before then, but none of them had that kind of starmaking hit until they were older.) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3030 "2025-08-19T18:54:48Z")
Interesting degree of separation-connection between The Beatles and Japan’s WWII surrender: Toshikazu Kase, who was a member of the Japanese diplomatic delegation on the USS Missouri in 1945 was Yoko Ono’s uncle. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2025, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3031 "2025-08-19T19:53:25Z")
Well, here are some facts but the interesting thing here is speculation. Andrew Flintoff was, in his day, England’s leading cricket player (Stick with it, non-cricketing persons!) Long retired, his sons are now making their way in cricket, the hottest prospect being Rocky Flintoff. Thing is, dad Andrew _ **always** _ went by the nickname Freddie, after Fred Flintstone. Fred Flintstone had a daughter - called Pebbles. Pebbles Flintstone. Rocky Flintoff. Coincidence? I sincerely hope not. j PS - in case you’re wondering, the internet is remarkably quiet on this. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3032 "2025-08-20T20:45:17Z")
In the West African country of Ghana, all men born on Friday are named Kofi. In fact, there are only seven first names for men, and seven first names for women, each corresponding to a day of the week. Everyone of each gender born on the same day of the week has the same first name as every other person born on that day of the week. > **[Ghanaian day names and their meaning - Green Views Residential Project](https://greenviewsresidential.com/ghanaian-day-names-and-their-meaning/)** > > The Ghanaian day names tradition is an important one. Find out what your name in Akan is and learn all about the Ghanaian days of the week names. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3033 "2025-08-20T21:04:59Z")
Inspired by a post in another thread, I discovered that ‘oxen’ is not a distinct species. Instead, oxen are cattle who are trained to perform draft work. An ox is generally a castrated male of a large cattle breed. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3034 "2025-08-20T21:40:10Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > In the West African country of Ghana, all men born on Friday are named Kofi. All? It might be very common, but not all Ghanaians follow the practice. I’m not even sure all Akan do. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3035 "2025-08-20T21:57:39Z")
BYU genealogy researchers say [the practice is widespread.](https://familyhistory.lib.byu.edu/00000191-23ff-d184-a1b9-afffad570001/some-guidelines-for-family-research-in-ghana-pdf) Was I misinformed? Or are you just nitpicking the definition of “all”? ---
**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:** [August 20, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3036 "2025-08-20T22:21:05Z")
All due respect to Elder Brooksby but he is waaay over generalizing. Not even half of the Ghanaian population identifies as Akan language speakers. Among those who do many have given names like… - **Odeneho. It means one who is independent** - **Bekoe. This is a child who came to fight** - **Katakyie. This is a very strong man.** - **Bediako. One who came purposely to engage in war.** - **Agyeman. Came to save the nation** - **Osei. A very noble man** - **Adiyiah. Is one who encountered a lot of sorrow** - **Abayie. Is a child who came well** - **Antobre. One who never experienced hardship** - **Abeberese. One who experience hardships** - **Acheompong. Attributed to be bearers of chiefs and also kings** - **Addae.It means the morning sun** - **Addai. Means clouds** - **Adekorato. Means treasurer** - **Agyei. One who is a messenger of God** - **Agyenim. A God given child who is very great** - **Ansah. Meaning a person who is royal** - **Donkor. This is a slave** - **Serwaah. One who is noble** - **Bagyina. Is a stable child** That’s a lot more than seven. I copied the above from your own link. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3037 "2025-08-20T22:23:58Z")
I don’t see how having several given names disproves also having a day of the week name that is traditionally listed first. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3038 "2025-08-20T22:25:28Z")
You may have missed my edit where I pointed out there were more than seven names for each gender. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3039 "2025-08-20T22:27:27Z")
But almost all parents include a day of the week name. If you wish to quibble over “all” or “almost all”, knock yourself out. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3040 "2025-08-20T22:34:25Z")
If you follow the links in the list on this wiki page you will see the individuals’ full names. Many have day names. Many do not. > **[List of Ghanaians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ghanaians?wprov=sfti1)** > > This list of notable Ghanaians includes people who were born in Ghana and people who are of Ghanaian ancestry, who are significantly notable for their life and/or work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=151) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=153)