# 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:** 173
**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:** [October 24, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3441 "2025-10-24T18:14:13Z")
That would be funny, though. But apparently my cursor pointed to the wrong choice on spell-check and I didn’t notice. Really thought the response was going to ask about the “Fingerprinters.” ---
**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:** [October 24, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3442 "2025-10-24T23:16:58Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > > > Viscous > > Is this a correct quote or your typo? Added to [Words one can get confused](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/words-one-can-get-confused/971772/1057). ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3443 "2025-10-26T17:12:22Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > …I was only four years old when I listened to my first T. Rex song (my earliest musical memory). Pretty damn impressive for a four year old - but what was the song? j ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3444 "2025-10-26T17:18:20Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Pretty damn impressive for a four year old - but what was the song? > > j Either “Hot Love” or “Metal Guru”. The story is this: my parents had a tiny record player with a lid doubling as (mono) speaker, and I was fascinated by it since I can remember and also was able to operate it at that age. There were two compilation albums in my parents’ record collection, both consisting mainly of German Schlager, but one had “Hot Love” and the other “Metal Guru”. Those were my favorite songs from the albums and the first rock songs I remember having listened to. This must have been around 1972/73, when I was four. And I like T. Rex to this day. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3445 "2025-10-26T23:35:21Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > my parents had a tiny record player with a lid doubling as (mono) speaker Please don’t tell me it looked like this: [![](https://cdn20.pamono.com/p/g/1/5/1582825_o5xxgoxdzz/modell-ng1361-tragbarer-plattenspieler-mit-koffer-von-philips-1950er-5.jpg) ](https://cdn20.pamono.com/p/g/1/5/1582825_o5xxgoxdzz/modell-ng1361-tragbarer-plattenspieler-mit-koffer-von-philips-1950er-5.jpg) ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3446 "2025-10-26T23:47:24Z")
No, sorry, it was a bit bigger, rectangular, grey plastic, not designed as cool as that, and also not really portable. But I would give an arm and a leg to get that record player back. It was the pleasure of my childhood. ---
**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:** [October 26, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3447 "2025-10-26T23:56:33Z")
I still have that one. Have not used it for at least 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3448 "2025-10-27T00:10:31Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > No, sorry, it was a bit bigger, rectangular, grey plastic, not designed as cool as that, and also not really portable. Reminds me of the one we had at home. The speaker lid had a cord with an RCA jack which plugged into the base. The lid hinge could detach from the base hinge so you could move it away from the base. I think it had a radio, too. @Pardel-Lux, yours is very cool! ---
**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:** [October 27, 2025, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3449 "2025-10-27T00:26:36Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > @Pardel-Lux, yours is very cool! I believe that the word I would use would be “groovy”. In more than one sense. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2025, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3450 "2025-10-29T09:38:01Z")
In Japan, the average male life expectancy is 84 years. Unless you’re a professional sumo wrestler, in which case your life expectancy is just 65 years. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3451 "2025-10-31T06:14:36Z")
This is something I just stumbled across half an hour ago. American Airlines, and maybe other airlines as well, actually run intercity passenger buses on some short routes. You go to the airport just like you would for a flight, go through security, find your gate which has the “flight” number, destination, and departure time displayed as usual. But when it’s time to board you walk out the door and board – a bus. When you get to the destination, the bus pulls up to a terminal gate, you walk off the bus, and enter the terminal. [Mind blown. Note: video link](https://youtu.be/1XD14BM4NCw?si=HlThgtXF46vv4hUG) BTW Noel Philips, does a lot of great trip reports. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2025, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3452 "2025-10-31T08:37:39Z")
Lufthansa does this too: The flight from Berlin to Strasburg in France, about 800 km, goes like this: Berlin - Frankfurt by plane, then you leave the terminal and board a bus with a grumpy driver, who does not let you board until ten minutes before departure, and drive two hours to Strasburg. The bus is old and dirty and has no toilet. The bus has a flight number. There are no stewardesses, purser, drinks or snacks. The only good thing is that they spare you the security theater before start: no BS about oxygen masks will drop automatically, not even fasten your seat belts. The latter would be relevant, as I saw the unfriendly driver play with his phone while driving on the autobahn. I am so glad I am not doing Strasburg anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3453 "2025-10-31T08:46:12Z")
Sounds like it would be easier to fly here to Luxembourg, and then take the train to Strasbourg. By TGV, it’s an hour-forty-five. Even if you take a slower train, it’s only an additional hour and you’re not trapped on a creaky old bus. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2025, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3454 "2025-10-31T08:59:23Z")
Unfortunately, you have to accept the means of transport the EU pays for and can not always choose the route that would seem logical to a sane traveler. Bureaucracy is a beautiful thing to leave behind. The planes from Berlin to Luxembourg are often turboprops, also not my favourite flight, sorry. They have made the airport a big cargo plane hub but for passengers it is … huh, how to put it gently … povincial. May have improved, of course: last time I was there was six or seven years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3455 "2025-10-31T11:46:57Z")
Heh. I’ve been here eight and a half years, and the airport has changed _a lot_ in that time … but I won’t argue it isn’t still pretty small. One runway, two security queues, three baggage claim carousels. We kind of like it that way, though. When we’re flying out somewhere, we go from parking lot to waiting terminal in thirty minutes, give or take. And when we get back, we go from disembarking to final exit on a similar schedule. Charleroi and Frankfurt may be certainly more impressive, with many more connection options, but when it takes twenty minutes just to navigate the parking garage, we’ll take the tradeoff. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3456 "2025-10-31T19:12:32Z")
Actor Brad Garrett appeared on the ELO album [Discovery (1979)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_(Electric_Light_Orchestra_album)). He also does some great impressions. On “Match Game” he did (probably among others) Charles Nelson-Reilly and Herman Munster. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3457 "2025-10-31T19:23:15Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Actor Brad Garrett appeared on the ELO album [Discovery (1979)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_(Electric_Light_Orchestra_album)). On the **[back cover](https://www.reddit.com/r/elo/comments/1kps6kn/discovery_back_cover/)**. There’s an image at the link that can be blown up big, but it can’t be hotlinked to Discourse from Reddit. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3458 "2025-10-31T22:59:02Z")
[![](https://soundmediagroupau.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/monthly_2022_05/DSC_1933.JPG.090d12f0a6ef9d8b9f641215050e95bd.JPG) ](https://soundmediagroupau.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/monthly_2022_05/DSC_1933.JPG.090d12f0a6ef9d8b9f641215050e95bd.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3459 "2025-11-01T01:38:56Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I am so glad I am not doing Strasburg anymore. At least Strasburg was worth it when you got there after all that, I hope? Noel Philips points out that the AA bus rides are extremely expensive unless you’re connecting to an actual flight, because they don’t want people booking bus-only trips. Still, they let you do it, if you insist. ---
**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:** [November 1, 2025, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3460 "2025-11-01T09:18:06Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > At least Strasburg was worth it when you got there after all that, I hope? Oh, yes! When I lived in Brussels we went by car or by charter train and it is a very nice city. During the EU Parliament’s plenary session week about once a month it is a bit crowded and the prices go through the roof, but you meet lots of colleagues. **[Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=569O0bXXoMY)** is a short video from my coleague and friend Lourdes showing her take on the “travelling circus”, from the train station Brussels Midi to the Christmas fair (I guess) in Strasbourg. All people whose faces are clearly shown are colleagues from the Spanish booth, it is all staged to respect [GDPR](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation) requirements, we all gave our consent. I am the one interpreting von der Leyen 🙂 But travelling from Berlin is a different kettle of fish. The connections, be it by train or by plane, are simply awful. And unreliable. Just yesterday night the airport was closed again for two hours because drones had been spotted ([link](https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/drohnen-sichtung-flughafen-ber-fuer-zwei-stunden-gesperrt/100170310.html) in German). And don’t get me started about the train connections! Shudder! Brrrr! Luxembourg is nice too, for short stays. We were sent there occasionally. It is interesting that the country secured many EU institutions and the corresponding meeting taking place there at a time when nobody had much interest in that, over 50 years ago. That has let the country punch way above their weight in the EU, someone had great foresight when the institutional roles were dealt. Particularly meetings of the Council of Ministers still take place regularly there, albeit not so often as once. The airport is really too small for such meetings. I am glad for **Cervaise** that he likes it there, but it’s not for everyone. Let me be a bit unfair and manipulative. There, this is Luxembourg: [![](https://i.postimg.cc/NG92npmh/DSC02282.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/NG92npmh/DSC02282.jpg) The [European Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Court_of_Justice) on a good day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=172) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=174)