# 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:** 24
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/461 "2024-09-22T00:17:27Z")
Something that a lot of people in the USA might not appreciate is that there were a LOT of wars, sometimes _very_ bloody, in South America as boundary disputes were fought over. It’s why professional armies and military governments have been so prominent in those countries. Imagine a USA in which something like the War of 1812 or the Mexican-American War had been fought every fifteen years or so for the first century after the nation’s founding. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/462 "2024-09-22T00:30:30Z")
My favorite part of the history of Chile is that an insane Frenchman convinced the indigenous people to make make him king of Patagonia and he immediately provoked a war with both Chile and Argentina. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/463 "2024-09-22T01:31:55Z")
A couple of years ago, I found out about the Paraguayan War: > Paraguay is estimated to have lost up to 69% of its population, most of them due to illness, hunger and physical exhaustion, of whom 90% were male… > **[Paraguayan War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_War)** > > Allied victory > Paraguay permanently lost its claims to lands amounting to almost 40% of its prewar claimed territories. > The Paraguayan War, also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, was a South American war that lasted from 1864 to 1870. It was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It was the deadliest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin American history. Paraguay sustained large casualties, but even the approximate numbers are... ---
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/464 "2024-09-22T01:49:44Z")
OTOH, they did give us better rallying cries than boring “I regret I have but one life to give for my country,” or “On Wisconsin,” etc. Better: [“Surrender? Your grandmother [is who] should surrender, you bastard!”](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Abaroa) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/465 "2024-09-22T06:48:53Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > A couple of years ago, I found out about the Paraguayan War: > > > Paraguay is estimated to have lost up to 69% of its population, most of them due to illness, hunger and physical exhaustion, of whom 90% were male… > > [Paraguayan War - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguayan_War) B Paraguay has a fascinating history. One quirk is that it’s the only country with an entire province (and its capital) named after a US president: Rutherford B. Hayes. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/466 "2024-09-22T11:39:45Z")
Whilst we’re on the subject of South America… Yesterday I was chatting to a retired chef who has an enthusiasm for travel, particularly to South America. He was singing the praises of Nikkei, Japanese Peruvian cuisine, which I had never heard of. Checking out Nikkei, I also stumbled across Chifa, Chinese Peruvian cuisine. Both have their origins in diasporas to Peru. > **[Nikkei cuisine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikkei_cuisine)** > > Nikkei cuisine is a type of fusion cuisine that combines Japanese and Peruvian elements. Nikkei is the word used to describe immigrants of Japanese origin in Peru. > The cultural exchange between Japan and Peru began at the end of the 19th century with the arrival of a Peruvian ship at the port of Yokohama. This ship had already traveled between Callao and Macau numerous times to transport laborers between the two cities. The first contact between the Peruvians and the Japanese was not peaceful as... > **[Chifa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chifa)** > > Chifa is a Chinese Peruvian culinary tradition based on Cantonese elements fused with traditional Peruvian ingredients and traditions. The term is also used to refer to restaurants that serve the chifa cuisine. > Though originating in Peru, the chifa tradition has spread to neighboring countries like Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia through increased Chinese immigration. > Chinese-Peruvian food has become one of the most popular types of food in Peru.\[citation needed\] The first Chinese-Peruvian fusion r... j ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/467 "2024-09-22T12:12:11Z")
You just know there is someone complaining that this isn’t like the Chinese food you get in China. Singapore has some great Chinese food that includes elements of Indian and Arabic cuisin, we did a walking food tour in Singapore’s Little India that was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/468 "2024-09-22T14:49:28Z")
Ah, that explains Singapore noodles! My fav for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Topologist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/topologist/32/3208_2.png) [@Topologist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Topologist)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2024, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/469 "2024-09-22T18:40:50Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > He was singing the praises of Nikkei, Japanese Peruvian cuisine One of our favorite restaurants on Long Island (NY) is [Nikkei of Peru](https://www.nikkeiofperu.com/). ---
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/470 "2024-09-22T19:09:14Z")
It turns out that there are several Nikkei restaurants in London as well. A project is evolving… j ---
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/471 "2024-09-22T19:19:24Z")
And now I’m wondering if the Nikkei cuisines of New York and London are the same as the Nikkei of Peru. And if they aren’t, what name should we give them? ---
**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:** [September 22, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/472 "2024-09-22T19:20:57Z")
That thought had crossed my mind as well. I think the rule has to be, if they use locally sourced (rather than Peruvian) ingredients, then yes, we do need a new name. j ETA: for London I’ll offer Cock-Nikkei I’ll get my coat. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/473 "2024-09-23T04:24:02Z")
French unions have designed special barbecues with wheels that fit in tram tracks down the middle of the streets, so they can grill sausages while they march. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/474 "2024-09-23T14:56:51Z")
French unions make me long for a resurgence of fascism, where strikers would be beaten and shot until they learn they don’t have a God-given right to shut down society. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/475 "2024-09-23T15:29:03Z")
Moderating: > [@Lumpy](#): > > French unions make me long for a resurgence of fascism, where strikers would be beaten and shot until they learn they don’t have a God-given right to shut down society. This is not an interesting fact. And is kinda a thread shit. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/476 "2024-09-23T15:34:16Z")
Sorry; it was just something about the idea that the French unions have _institutionalized_ their protests that set me off. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/477 "2024-09-23T15:36:04Z")
Maybe you’d like how Japanese bus drivers strike. They stay on their routes, but everyone rides free ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/478 "2024-09-23T15:37:38Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Maybe you’d like how Japanese bus drivers strike. They stay on their routes but everyone rides free Actually I do like that. ---
**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:** [September 23, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/479 "2024-09-23T15:38:43Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > French unions make me long for a resurgence of fascism, where strikers would be beaten and shot until they learn they don’t have a God-given right to shut down society. On my first read-through of this, I thought you wrote “French onions.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/480 "2024-09-23T17:29:56Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Maybe you’d like how Japanese bus drivers strike. They stay on their routes, but everyone rides free There’s an interesting fact I just learned. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=25)