# 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:** 31
**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 3, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/601 "2024-10-03T17:07:25Z")
Yeah, I imagine trains with one first class car in the middle having five passengers, while the plebs in the cheap cars were packed like sardines, as usually. Couldn’t have sustained for longer. ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/602 "2024-10-03T22:24:14Z")
The UK announced today it was going to relinqish its hold on the Chagos Islands. > **[UK hands sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98ynejg4l5o)** > > In a historic move, the UK gives up sovereignty of a strategic group of islands in the Indian Ocean. The timeline is still to be finalised but around the time of the first vernal or autumnal equinox after the handover the sun will set on the British ‘Empire’ for the first time since 1608. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/603 "2024-10-04T04:11:14Z")
In Better Call Saul, Gus Fring hires the very best neurologist to keep Hector Salamanca alive (so he’ll survive to watch helplessly as Fring destroys his family). In House of Cards, Doug Stamper is bashed in the head in a preemptive strike by Rachel Posner. Stamper’s neurologist is played by the [same actor.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poorna_Jagannathan) In case that’s more “so what” than interesting random, here’s a photo of General Patton urinating into the Rhine: [![](https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17244845/origin.jpg?strip=all&quality=85) ](https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17244845/origin.jpg?strip=all&quality=85) ---
**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 4, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/604 "2024-10-04T17:11:52Z")
I learned that “Grimble Grumble” comes from a Pink Floyd song. The only other time I had heard those words was in a segment on the [Tomfoolery (1970)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145638/reference/) Saturday morning cartoon, which had not connection to Pink Floyd. For those who aren’t familiar with that cartoon, it animated a lot of the poems and characters from Edward Lear, but had other material as well. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/605 "2024-10-04T20:17:00Z")
When you do a location search on the Spirit Halloween website, the results include what store used to occupy that building, shown before the address info. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/606 "2024-10-05T15:41:20Z")
Let’s see, the nearest SH used to be a Big 5. Never heard of it before. Apparently sporting goods but still in business in general. But a lot of sporting goods chains have nearly or completely disappeared. The 2nd closest used to be a Bed, Bath and Beyond. I’m sure SH is not unhappy that that chain went under. I’ve never been to a SH but these seem like rather big stores. Do they really fill all that space? ---
**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:** [October 5, 2024, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/607 "2024-10-05T15:49:36Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I’ve never been to a SH but these seem like rather big stores. Do they really fill all that space? It’s the ease of parking and proximity to other big boxes that SH is interested in more than square footage. Smaller spaces are likely available but located in difficult to access places like downtown. ---
**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 5, 2024, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/608 "2024-10-05T16:03:57Z")
And probably also the availability of a cheap short-term lease. They’re only going to be in any given location for maybe a couple of months. ---
**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:** [October 5, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/609 "2024-10-05T16:05:37Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > I learned that “Grimble Grumble” comes from a Pink Floyd song. Did he have a blue-green hood? That looked quite good? ---
**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:** [October 5, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/610 "2024-10-05T16:07:57Z")
Yeah. Those big spaces are ultimately looking for corporate buyers/renters that take months or years to line up. The smaller stores need to be available for possible immediate occupancy by small businesses. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/611 "2024-10-05T16:11:58Z")
There are always empty storefronts in downtown Santa Barbara. Our SH (or the equivalent) takes one every year. ---
**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 7, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/612 "2024-10-07T00:14:43Z")
Naw, we never really got to see him. The \*main characters are whispering back and forth about their plans to attack the Grimble Grumble. The denouement of the segment is when they whisper back and forth: “Where is the Grimble Grumble?” The response, whispered down the line: “100 miles away” Then one of them blurts out, “Then why are we all whispering?” The character that started the conversation (either the Elephant or the Fish), responds I have a sore throat! Lear’s characters, but not Lear material \*The Yongy-Bongy Bo, Fizzgiggious Fish, Umbrageous Umbrella-maker, and the Enthusiastic Elephant ---
**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 8, 2024, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/613 "2024-10-08T09:54:45Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > The other one was sorted by addresses Those were used in America too. The ones issued by the telcos carried a dire warning to the effect that reverse street address directories were the property of the phone company and available only by lease arrangement, and that unauthorized possession would subject the user to criminal prosecution! You can look at some from the Los Angeles Public Library, here: [ResCarta-Web - Browse Titles](https://rescarta.lapl.org/ResCarta-Web/jsp/RcWebBrowse.jsp;jsessionid=8EAE6E807AAD768135B5146183A7443B) No card or user account necessary. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2024, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/614 "2024-10-08T15:21:00Z")
Only one US president has had their Inauguration Oath administered by a woman. Normally the Oath is administered by the Chief Justice, but not this time (and several other exceptions)… Lyndon Johnson was inaugurated on Air Force One on November 22, 1963 (JFK death) by Sarah T Hayes - a Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas. ---
**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 8, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/615 "2024-10-08T20:43:31Z")
Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was a [a cover originally recorded by the songwriter.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aLNwOxPsjg) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/616 "2024-10-09T01:51:01Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was a [a cover originally recorded by the songwriter.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aLNwOxPsjg) I am surprised. I always thought Cyndi Lauper was a songwriter. _Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress_ charted number 1 in 1972. By the Hollies I was in junior high and thought they were Buddy Holly’s band that continued after his death. I had no reason to investigate after the Web became available. 40 years later I find out they’re a British Band. That’s how it was for my generation. We didn’t have any sources of information about bands. A radio DJ introduced the song and gave the band name. My only reference to some guy named Holly was Buddy Holly. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2024, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/617 "2024-10-09T02:04:09Z")
I am not particularly knowledgeable of that era, but enough to know that Buddy Holly’s band was The Crickets. I heard that Neil Young’s band Crazy Horse at one time went by The Rockets, which led me to believe that the Rockets album we had, the one with the bad cover of _Oh Well_, was done by Neil’s band, but they were different Rockets, hailing from that place that is north of Canada. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/618 "2024-10-09T02:26:31Z")
There was so little information about bands. I loved Bread and had all their albums. I never knew all the members were experienced session musicans that recorded on hundreds of albums in the 1960’s. Larry Knechtel (keyboards, bass in Bread) won a Grammy for the arrangment and played piano on Bridge over Troubled Water. I wish that information had been widely known in the 1970’s ---
**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:** [October 9, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/619 "2024-10-09T11:55:20Z")
A newspaper entertainment columnist had a one-word review for a “Bread” concert he attended: “Crummy”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/620 "2024-10-09T14:48:31Z")
Shouldn’t that be “crumby” or “crumbly”? (My spell checker is happy with both words.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=32)