# 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:** 193
**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:** [December 18, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3841 "2025-12-18T21:59:26Z")
I got a chuckle from this phrase towards the end of the article: > ‘Lirepynrel’, which means ‘irresponsible penis’ I know several men who could be described as such. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3842 "2025-12-18T23:24:56Z")
TIL that Kokomo is a town in Indiana, nothing to do with Jamaica or the Caribbean at all (per The Beach Boys). I learned that in my current podcast [A History of Rock and Roll in 500 Songs](https://500songs.com/) Ep 24, on an unrelated song [Ko Ko Mo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Ko_Mo_(I_Love_You_So)) , originally by a black R&B duet Gene and Eunice, which was re-recorded (essentially stolen) by dozens of artists including Louis Armstrong, Perry Como (bizarrely!) and Andy Griffith (yes, _that_ Andy Griffith), mostly within months of their release of the record. They did not go on to much success in the US but their music attracted a following in Jamaica, ironically enough, inspiring a recording featuring … Bunny Whaler and Bob Marley’s future wife Rita Anderson ! ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3843 "2025-12-19T12:36:03Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > TIL that Kokomo is a town in Indiana, nothing to do with Jamaica or the Caribbean at all (per The Beach Boys). I was at first very puzzled by the Beach Boys song, because I ONLY knew of Kokomo as a town in Indiana, and was wondering why they were singing about it in the company of Caribbean resorts like Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. “One of these things is not like the others” ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3844 "2025-12-19T12:56:56Z")
The Beatles’ ethnic and religious backgrounds shake out into a curious pattern. Lennon: Irish Anglican McCartney: Irish Catholic Harrison: English Catholic Ringo: English Anglican ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3845 "2025-12-19T13:21:03Z")
They all have Irish ancestors. Harrison’s and McCartney’s being the most recent (grandparents). John Lennon’s father was nominally Catholic. Liverpool was one of those chunky melting pots like the US. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3846 "2025-12-19T13:51:28Z")
OK, I apparently fudged several details. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3847 "2025-12-20T14:12:07Z")
It was the departing port for a lot of ships to the New World. A lot of Irish people left during the famine, some of them hated the sea voyage to Liverpool so much they decided to settle there instead of enduring an even longer trip. So say some of my Irish descended friends from Liverpool, but they probably just drank their passage money. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3848 "2025-12-20T19:14:24Z")
John’s dad caused him lifelong emptiness by his abandonment, and [added irritation when he resurfaced during Beatlemania.](https://medium.com/the-beatles-faq/alfred-lennon-demonised-dad-c02bf2fc6d4c) Still, the image of his drunken dad smashing a wedding shop window and dancing in the street with the mannequin is charming. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3849 "2025-12-20T21:50:11Z")
As [this thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/string-vests-why/239809) exists, I assume that string vests have at least been heard of in the US. In case anyone needs it, [here’s an image of one](https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/catalogue/article/y2006.30.20/) I was made to wear them briefly as a kid in the North of England. Because “They keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer”. And uncomfortable (and looking ridiculous) all year round. I don’t know why, but I can’t get this question out of my head: is that just a myth, or was there ever any research? Well… If you looked at the image, you’ll have seen it was a string vest worn on an antarctic expedition - the owner apparently visited antarctica a couple of dozen times, so I guess this is quite a testimonial, but it still isn’t research. However: > **[BBC NEWS | UK | Army experiments sought best vest](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4638977.stm)** > > Results of tests on soldiers serving in the Suez Canal Zone reveal the best string vest to wear in warm weather. > …Results of tests on soldiers serving in the Suez Canal Zone reveal the best string vest to wear in warm weather. > > Noting growing numbers of string-vest “adherents” during British summers, the government set out to fathom the “indefiniteness of its function”. > > The papers have been made public by the National Archives at Kew, west London. > > With temperatures soaring to 98F (36C) in Egypt during the summer of 1955, members of the 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment were ordered to wear vests under their bush jackets to see if they had any “definite advantage” as a summer garment. > > Three models were tested - a standard Army string vest, a less stringy civilian version, the Sherpa, and a conventional, non-string singlet. Woah there! - the papers are in the National Archive? Red rag to a bull. I won’t keep you in suspense. The paper is, at least in principle, publicly available - but you have to have an account to download it. > **[Ministry of Supply and War Office: Clothing and Equipment Physiological...](https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11241479)** > > The official archive of the UK government. Our vision is to lead and transform information management, guarantee the survival of today's information for tomorrow and bring history to life for everyone. In any case, the BBC article summarizes the results. Yes, the soldiers found the string vests kept them cooler in the heat - but when the experiment ended they still couldn’t persuade the men to wear them. And I’m not in the least surprised. 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:** [December 20, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3850 "2025-12-20T21:58:03Z")
Never heard of the military history of the string vest (and also not the name), but I understand they were underwear, while in my youth in the mid to late 80s in Germany, they were popular as summer wear substituting for a t-shirt and considered cool for young dudes. I sometimes used to wear them. We called them “Netzshirts” (net shirts) and also “Muskelshirts” (muscle shirts). ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3851 "2025-12-20T21:59:05Z")
Your link is funny: > Among its noted benefits were an ability to: “obviate the difficulties of dragging and doffing”. Could have told you that, old chap. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3852 "2025-12-20T22:01:15Z")
Let me put it this way: how emotionally scarring do you think being made to wear them must have been if I’m still fretting about it nearly sixty years later? 😉 j ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3853 "2025-12-20T22:05:57Z")
I think I can relate: my trauma was the _verdugo_ (which means executioner or hangman, also called _pasamontañas_, ~ mountain crosser), something that looks like a balaclava. To keep you warm in winter. It looks awful and made me sweat and it itched. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3854 "2025-12-20T22:18:31Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > We called them “Netzshirts” (net shirts) and also **“Muskelshirts” (muscle shirts).** My bold This is kind of a social history of the string vest; it notes (quoting a museum curator\*): > If you’ve got an amazing body, it shows it off.: > **[Unravelled! The death of the string vest](https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/fashion/features/unravelled-the-death-of-the-string-vest-763781.html)** > > It's been the singlet of choice for everyone from Rab C Nesbitt to Madonna. Now dwindling sales mean stores are kicking it off the shelf. Susie Rushton charts the rise and fall of fashion's ugliest underwear j \* - the curator in question being Carol Tulloch. Of course I totally respect the views of women, but there’s a part of me that deeply regrets the loss of words like curatrix. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3855 "2025-12-21T04:38:42Z")
A fist sized rock dropped over the Marianas trench takes 6 hours to reach the bottom ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3856 "2025-12-21T22:24:39Z")
A fact, and advice: You can buy bagpipes on Temu for $51. Don’t. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3857 "2025-12-21T22:59:05Z")
Well, you’ve just ruined _my_ Christmas plans. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3858 "2025-12-22T19:24:51Z")
While trying to think up a clever reply to this joke in another thread… > [@Where do Imperial Stormtroopers do their Christmas shopping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-imperial-stormtroopers-do-their-christmas-shopping/1025945/4): > > What do the reindeer wives do to pass the time while their husbands are pulling Santa around the world on Christmas Eve night? I discovered that Santa’s reindeer are likely all female because only female reindeer keep their antlers through the winter and into Christmas, while males shed theirs after the autumn mating season. The only exception is castrated bucks…I always suspected Santa had a dark side. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3859 "2025-12-22T19:41:52Z")
today in Reddit, I saw a map that showed that about 1 half of Japan runs on 60hz electricity, whereas the other half runs on 50hz electricity. [possibly: citation needed] . I had no idea, and wonder for what (historic?) reasons that might be. IIRC runs universally on 110v ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/3860 "2025-12-22T21:59:20Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > bout 1 half of Japan runs on 60hz electricity, whereas the other half runs on 50hz electricity When I do a search on this, I find that it’s a historical accident. This has been true since the 1890s. Eastern Japan imported German 50hz generators, while western Japan imported American 60hz ones. It’s now too complicated to fix this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=192) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=194)