# 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:** 228
**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:** [April 23, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4541 "2026-04-23T15:11:10Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > So today I learned the [Jewish Bund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Jewish_Labour_Bund) is an entirely different thing than a [Jewish Bundt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundt_cake), although the German words _Bund_ and _Bundt_ are cognate. Beware the Bundt Bund. ---
**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:** [April 23, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4542 "2026-04-23T18:35:05Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > > > I vagely remember someone in this board who planned to make a drink starting with dandelions, if it is not **Einsteinshund** perhaps it was @Treppenwitz? Wonder what happened to that project, or whether my memory is playing games with me. > > Yes, I remember a conversation about dandelion wine, maybe even in this very thread, with you and @Treppenwitz participating, but it wasn’t me who wanted to try making some. I have no memory of this at all (but then, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast either). If I did post something along those lines, it would have been about my identical twin/niece E (accounts vary) who used to be a forager for the ages and wouldn’t think twice about trying that. j ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4543 "2026-04-24T00:14:47Z")
[Dandelion Wine Recipe (allrecipes.com)](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/162202/dandelion-wine/) and [Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion_Wine) ---
**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:** [April 24, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4544 "2026-04-24T00:48:59Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Yeah, you got to pick the still light-green, smaller leaves, or else they get too bitter. My family has no problem with the darker, larger, leaves either, so long as they’re harvested before blossoming. There might be a flavor change associated with the leaves darkening, but if so, it’s not one we dislike. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4545 "2026-04-24T01:16:54Z")
It was a significant problem in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Turns out caskets don’t have to have a unique marking on them. When the water rose in the cemeteries lots of caskets floated out and drifted away. The locals were finding unmarked caskets in the streets and woods for weeks. And it was very difficult to get them back where they belonged. I believe there is now a state law requiring unique markings, but of course that won’t help for the prior burials. There is a community cemetery not far from my house where a lot of old line families rest. It was a traumatic time for those families. On top of dealing with the storm. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2026, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4546 "2026-04-24T06:55:53Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > the [Jewish Bund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Jewish_Labour_Bund) Extensively covered in **Mike Duncan** ’s _Revolutions_ podcast, season Russia. It really is excellent, covering both the history of Russia an dteh Romanovs, and a good introduction to Marx’s economics, before starting on the events leading up to the revolution. ---
**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:** [April 24, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4547 "2026-04-24T12:16:53Z")
how were the cascets buried in the first place, to become “seaborne”? ---
**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:** [April 24, 2026, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4548 "2026-04-24T12:29:01Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > how were the cascets buried in the first place > New Orleans is famously built on low-lying land, much of it just above or even below sea level. Early residents learned that in-ground burials were prone to flooding, which could displace caskets and expose remains. The city’s high water table made traditional underground graves impractical and, in some cases, impossible. > > To address these challenges, in 1803 the city passed an ordinance recommending above-ground interment. While some in-ground burials continued for a time, the trend toward above-ground tombs grew rapidly. These vaults kept remains safe from water damage while offering families a more secure and permanent memorial. Source: [Why Above-Ground Tombs Became the Norm in New Orleans](https://cemeterytourneworleans.com/why-above-ground-tombs-became-the-norm-in-new-orleans/#:~:text=New%20Orleans%20is%20famously%20built,displace%20caskets%20and%20expose%20remains). ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4549 "2026-04-24T13:24:02Z")
People are buried in above ground vaults in New Orleans. The water table around here is less than 6 feet down around here. Of course there are many regular cemeteries around here, but there are many cemeteries with at least some vaults ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4550 "2026-04-24T20:25:37Z")
what, no dandelion wine? ---
**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:** [April 24, 2026, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4551 "2026-04-24T21:39:51Z")
The first PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic soda bottles were patented in 1973 by Nathaniel Wyeth of DuPont, brother of artist Andrew Wyeth. And the son of artist and illustrator, N. C. Wyeth. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4552 "2026-04-25T00:27:56Z")
Several months back, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my upper jawline (I’m fine, I wear a full beard and the scar is well hidden). The PAs were great; while stitching me up, I commented how impressed I was with the anesthetic and the fellow relayed the following fact: Each nerve ending (at least in the skin) has three distinct receptors, one for pressure, one for temperature and one for pain. The anesthetic knocks out the pain receptor exclusively while leaving the other two functioning. I had commented how I could feel the stitching needle on my skin — where it was sitting and the chill of the metal and that explained why I felt no pain while feeling the other two sensations. Fascinating! ---
**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:** [April 25, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4553 "2026-04-25T00:41:55Z")
I’m not a drinker, so I don’t know personally, but I’m informed that that’s also very good. As well as several other ways to consume various parts of the dandelion plant. ---
**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 25, 2026, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4554 "2026-04-25T03:26:22Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > how were the cascets buried in the first place, to become “seaborne”? Unless its built very heavy– bronze or even lead– a casket will be a lot lighter than an equal volume of earth. Anything like a flood that sufficiently fluidizes the ground will allow the caskets to float to the surface. A similar phenomenon is earthquakes shaking root vegetables out of the ground. ---
**Author:** ![billy-jack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@billy-jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billy-jack)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4555 "2026-04-25T07:15:32Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Unless its built very heavy– bronze or even lead– a casket will be a lot lighter than an equal volume of earth. Anything like a flood that sufficiently fluidizes the ground will allow the caskets to float to the surface. A similar phenomenon is earthquakes shaking root vegetables out of the ground. That can happen with pipelines, too. A few years ago, one local farmer was plowing a section (i.e. one square mile) using chisels: [![](https://cdn.wotol.com/XnrpEiYD7U69SlwFfQ28nRT0bxU=/fit-in/1000x1000/media/pictures/7ca/7cabb8e4-e233-4970-a8b8-a4b94ab3bf6d.jpeg) ](https://cdn.wotol.com/XnrpEiYD7U69SlwFfQ28nRT0bxU=/fit-in/1000x1000/media/pictures/7ca/7cabb8e4-e233-4970-a8b8-a4b94ab3bf6d.jpeg) When he got to the end and tried to turn around, he couldn’t. The chisels had gotten into a high pressure gas line. He called it in to report it and within a day or two, they had a full crew from the pipeline company digging to put it back to the right depth. Also, my late brother had a half section across the road from a large pipeline company station and there were a number of pipelines going underneath the field. When plowing, it wasn’t unusual at all for the discs to ride up over the pipelines. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2026, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4556 "2026-04-28T02:14:43Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > My Junior High councilor lied to me? He or she did lie! Nothing counts permanently until ninth grade! ---
**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:** [April 29, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4557 "2026-04-29T22:48:42Z")
The band Radiohead was named (indirectly) after Ned Ryerson (actor Stephen Tobolowsky). The name of their band comes from a song by the Talking Heads. The song is from the soundtrack off of the film True Stories by David Byrne. One of the writers on that film was Stephen Tobolowsky. That song, Radio Head, was about Stephen Tobolowsky who claims he had psychic powers and could pick up tones coming off of other people. His college girlfriend set up a business where he would read peoples minds. He told that story to David Byrne while working on True Stories and he, David, wrote it into the story and wrote the song Radio Head about that character. Radio Head, who’s name at that time was On A Friday, adopted Radio Head right before signing a six-album recording contract with EMI. ---
**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:** [April 30, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4558 "2026-04-30T19:17:30Z")
Actor [Andrew Duggan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Duggan) appeared in the pilot episode of [Hawaii Five-O (1968)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cYwvFyCqiI). He was married to a stage actress named Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Logue. By sheer coincidence, the young lady seen in the opening credits montage of “Hawaii Five-O” is a Hawaiian model named. . . “Elizabeth Logue,” inexorably conflating those two names everywhere. Pics of Mrs. Betty Logue Duggan are few and far between. Her findagrave entry actually shows the Hawaiian model, at least at this time. No idea whether the Hawaiian Elizabeth Logue is still living. ---
**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 1, 2026, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4559 "2026-05-01T12:02:52Z")
Highway US-1 in Maine has a to-scale display of the Solar System. You will find the Sun (actually the outline of the Sun)(50 feet in diameter) in Presque Ile; Earth (diameter 5 inches) about a mile away, and so on to Pluto (diameter 2.5 inches) about 40 miles away in Houlton (start of I-95). A dwarf planet called Eris (diameter 1 inch) is yet another 50 miles away - getting close to the coastline. [Maine Solar System Model](https://www.mainesolarsystem.com/) All are models placed at the side of the road (a couple are indoors). ---
**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:** [May 1, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/4560 "2026-05-01T14:02:50Z")
There are several scale model solar systems around the country. I’ sad that the one that used to be in Boston, centered at the Museum of Science, is gone. But I found a new one last summer on the rail trail north of Boston between Topsfield and Danvers, evidently installed by an Eagle Scout as his project: > **[Topsfield Scout installs scale model of solar system along the Linear Common](https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/chronicle-transcript/2021/11/19/topsfield-scout-installs-scale-model-of-solar-system-along-rail-trail/8687103002/)** > > Liam Gillespie, who is a senior at Masconomet and Boy Scout in Troop 81, completed the installation for his Eagle Scout project. Sadly, Mercury was already gone when I found it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=227) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=229)