I have learned that I can’t hear your accent on the internet. I have been utterly surprised how similar we all are in the English-speaking world, or well at least on this message board.
There’s a very common understanding of language, humour, irony, and sarcasm that I didn’t think was possible.
Group hug to all my English-speaking friends worldwide, especially those in countries where English isn’t a first language.
Yeah, like Britain.
Wouldn’t that be a very dry wine? 
Many years ago, I was browsing the local record store (yep, it was that long ago), and running across an album by a band whose name I interpreted as “Zed Zed Top.” I did later learn to call them “Zee Zee Top.”
What have I learned on the Straight Dope? The value of rock-solid, valid citations from reputable sources.
I do pronounce it that way, partly because that’s what the last letter of the alphabet is, and also since “Zed” is an accepted slang term for a Zombie.
World War Z and ZZ Top have a specific pronunciation, but doing the other doesn’t change the meaning or confuse someone who never saw it written. It doesn’t rely on a specific pronunciation, like La-Z-Boy.
And lots of people in the UK, Australia and NZ have no idea the “Z” is pronounced “ZEE” in the US, so that balances out.
Add Canadians. I was four when I learned to read, and learned my ABCs, including “zed.” But I was probably 7 or so when I was told that in the United States, right next door, letter “z” was pronounced “zee.”
Of course, I asked why Americans said “zee” instead of “zed.” My mother told me that it was because Americans didn’t know any better.
I had no comment then, and I do not now.
A friend of mine who knew the American pronunciation obstinately insisted on calling them Zed Zed Top. He sure showed them Yanks.
I’ve learned that there is a desperate, significant need for a sarcasm font on this board.
And that many, many folks don’t know that the topmost retainer thingy (cleat?) that you wind up your vacuum cleaner power cord onto can (usually) rotate around to easily remove the cord.
Her name was Rio and she dances on the sand
I have learned that, although I must be truth for I am surely stranger than fiction, there are smart and eloquent people who are even more twisted than I.
I learned that keeping shoes on in the house is forbidden in many many places.
I learned that people in some places leave their shoes on in the house all the time! Can you imagine?!? :eek:
ETA: I’ve also learned a lot about the US American healthcare system. It frightens the bejeebers out of me.
Let’s see:
[ol]
[li]I have learned that people actually believe that most strippers won’t turn tricks to make extra money[/li][li]I have learned that many people are seriously anti-gun, and yet see no issues with the authorities having weapons which they can easily turn on them[/li][li]I have learned that I can recognize several people’s answering styles from other forums.[/li][li]I have learned (yet again) that people will argue about issues of which they have little or no practical knowledge.[/li][/ol]
Wha???
Yesterday, I learnt that Americans still use cheques.
I don’t believe that to be true. Whilst I don’t doubt there are a few people who are unaware of that fact, it’s nowhere near on the scale of the number of people in the US who apparently have no idea of the Commonwealth pronounciation.
I think it was American filmmaker Tarantino who declared the commonwealth pronunciation obsolete,
Zed’s dead, baby, Zed’s dead.
Serious answer: I learned thru various finance/income threads and ranking links that the majority of the US (and world) is waaay worse off than I realized.