# 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:** 48
**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:** [November 28, 2024, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/941 "2024-11-28T09:12:25Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Today I learned that _phytophotodermatitis_ is a thing. Had heard of it years ago, but didn’t realize that the offending chemical was present in so many foods, or that it could enter your cells (and so might not be easily eliminated by washing your hands before going out into the sun). ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/942 "2024-11-29T12:30:54Z")
> **[Shoppers can be made to feel sorry for single bananas, study finds](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/29/shoppers-can-be-made-to-feel-sorry-for-single-bananas-study-finds?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other)** > > Researchers say supermarket customers are more likely to buy a piece of fruit labelled as a ‘sad single’ ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/943 "2024-11-29T13:29:26Z")
That’s bonkers. Kooky. Wacky. … Hmm, if only there were a food related synonym for saying something is silly and crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Chad\_Sudan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chad_sudan/32/4509_2.png) [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/944 "2024-11-29T13:52:22Z")
The best way to sell a single banana is to duct-tape it to a wall and hold an auction. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/945 "2024-11-29T13:52:38Z")
It’s like the old tale of the family trying to get rid of a litter of puppies. They put an ad in the paper (this is an old tale) for seven beautiful puppies, free to a good home, but got no takers. The next week they put out an ad for six beautiful and one very ugly puppies, and within a couple of hours, gave away the ugly one seven times. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/946 "2024-11-29T14:17:17Z")
Kind of similar. I worked for a company in the 90s that was upgrading a bunch of desks. They would sell old inventory and my friend bought like 30 of them for $50 each. They advertised them for $100 which was a great deal. When people came by to look at them they were shown the garage full of desks and no one wanted them. Eventually they took one and put it in their guest bedroom and put a computer and a lamp on it. With that presentation, they sold them all in a couple of weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/947 "2024-11-29T14:57:13Z")
Along similar lines… With some things, if you try to give them away for free, no one will want them. But if you put a token price on them, say $5, they will sell. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/948 "2024-11-29T15:37:48Z")
Yep, behavioral science has many examples of this. One study that I recall involved a shop that sold a cheap $10 lamp and a slightly better $20 lamp, and they recorded how many people purchased each lamp. Then they set up an identical shop, but added a $50 lamp to the options. This increased the number of $20 lamps that were sold, relative to the $10 lamps. I may have the numbers off here, as I’m recalling what I heard at a lecture. And then there is the old “strict limit of 3 per order” trick. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/949 "2024-11-29T18:55:16Z")
The last person to become UK prime minister by winning a general election, and then subsequently leave the office by losing a general election, was Edward Heath (1970-74). Subsequent PMs have become prime minister by winning an election, or lost power by losing an election, but nobody has done both. j ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/950 "2024-11-29T21:03:15Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Yep, behavioral science has many examples of this. One study that I recall involved a shop that sold a cheap $10 lamp and a slightly better $20 lamp, and they recorded how many people purchased each lamp. Then they set up an identical shop, but added a $50 lamp to the options. This increased the number of $20 lamps that were sold, relative to the $10 lamps. I may have the numbers off here, as I’m recalling what I heard at a lecture. > > And then there is the old “strict limit of 3 per order” trick. Which made communist regimes seethe with envy at how little effect their strident propaganda had on the workers in comparison to capitalist advertising. ---
**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:** [November 29, 2024, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/951 "2024-11-29T21:09:49Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > That’s bonkers. Kooky. Wacky. … Hmm, if only there were a food related synonym for saying something is silly and crazy Nuts! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/952 "2024-11-29T22:15:28Z")
Today I learned, in less than two decades, [Earth’s tilt has shifted by 31.5 inches due to the pumping of groundwater](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/earth-has-tilted-31-5-inches-in-less-than-two-decades-raising-concern-why-did-this-happen-and-what-are-its-repercussions/articleshow/115702297.cms). ---
**Author:** ![Dogginit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogginit/32/16920_2.png) [@Dogginit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogginit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/953 "2024-11-30T13:53:01Z")
> [@Chad\_Sudan](#): > > The best way to sell a single banana is to duct-tape it to a wall and hold an auction. Biggest ROI, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/954 "2024-11-30T14:44:33Z")
… and if you can do it 4 or 5 times, you’re set for life. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2024, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/955 "2024-12-01T05:47:43Z")
The maiden name of Buzz Aldrin’s mother was Moon. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/956 "2024-12-01T09:59:14Z")
WTA…? Just reading a magazine piece about the barmy things people do to their faces in the name of "beauty’, and there’s a _doctor_ referring to _DNA from salmon sperm, which helps with crinkliness under the eyes_ ---
**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 1, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/957 "2024-12-01T19:01:55Z")
Sockeye bukake? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/958 "2024-12-01T19:20:46Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > WTA…? Yep, another tennis star gets caught doping. > **[WTA issues statement regarding ITIA decision on Iga Swiatek](https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4177882/wta-issues-statement-regarding-itia-decision-on-iga-swiatek)** > > The WTA has issued a statement regarding the ITIA decision on Iga Swiatek. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2024, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/959 "2024-12-01T20:57:40Z")
Outside the Germanic group, most European languages don’t have an everyday word for “toe”, although in some cases they do have a word used in specialized contexts. Otherwise, they call toes “fingers of the feet”. On the other hand, some of these languages do have word for just the big toe. ---
**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:** [December 1, 2024, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785/960 "2024-12-01T21:01:05Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > On the other hand, … Toes of the hand? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-2/1004785.md?page=49)