# What's the most obscure thing you know? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 21, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345 "2002-03-21T14:41:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Godfrey\_Daniels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Godfrey\_Daniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Godfrey_Daniels)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/261 "2002-06-26T16:33:25Z")
And it’s such an obscure bit that I had to post it twice! (#%&\*@$!! ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/262 "2002-06-26T18:53:00Z")
Former collegiate basketball superstar Art Heyman owns a bar called Tracy J’s, on 19th Street near Park Avenue South. The jukebox plays a lot of Sinatra, and tracks from Dark Side of the Moon are also popular. It’s a very homely, homey place with a very loyal clientelle. In the men’s room, there’s a graffito written in 2000 that says: “The end is near. There’s trouble in the holy land… and the antichrist is running for president.” The Aztecs had toys with wheels, but the mountainous and jungly terrain around Tenochtitlan made wheeled vehicals impractical. While highly improbable, nuclear fission does occur naturally. There is at least one known case of a deposit of some radioactive metal reaching critical mass. This happened somewhere in Africa a very long time ago. Who knows, maybe a few monkeys had a constructive and inheritable mutation as a result. ---
**Author:** ![octothorpe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b77776/32.png) [@octothorpe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octothorpe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/263 "2002-06-26T19:01:25Z")
The ‘common’ name for red/green colorblindness is **Daltonism** and the term came into usage following the publication of _ **Extraordinary facts relating to the vision of colours, with observation** _ by English physicist **John Dalton**. **Bruxism** is the term for teeth grinding. Since 1983, the late, great **Chet Atkins** always appended his signature **c.g.p.** after bestowing upon himself the honorary degree _ **Certified Guitar Player** _. He also bought a seat for his guitar whenever he flew. **oh, by the way, i also know the proper name of #** ---
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/264 "2002-06-26T21:42:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by octothorpe \* > \*\* > **oh, by the way, i also know the proper name of #** \*\* Well? Well? What is it? Is it not “Pound Sign?” Is it not “Hash mark?” Don’t keep us hanging, Octothorpe! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/265 "2002-06-27T07:28:48Z")
**annieclaus** - maybe you’re making a funny, but in case not, i’ll let you in on the secret…the answer is in his name. or, more precisely, the answer is his name. ---
**Author:** ![ObiWan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@ObiWan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ObiWan)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/266 "2002-06-27T09:30:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by majinborg \* > \*\*I know that the meter was originally defined to be the diameter of the earth divided by 10,000. > \*\* Nope, see the Staff Report “[What’s the origin of the meter and the metric system?](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmetric.html)”. > [@](#): > > To this end, FAS decided to figure out the distance of an imaginary line that began at the North Pole, ended at the equator (AKA a quadrant) and ran through Paris. They would then divide this line into exactly ten million identical pieces. The length of one of these pieces would be the base unit for the new system of measurement. > > After a six-year survey ending in 1795, this unit was determined to be 39.37008 inches in length. The name “metre” was chosen for this unit based on metron, the Greek word for “measure.” Yes, my fellow Americans, the correct, official, internationally-approved spelling is “metre,” not “meter.” Technically speaking, a “meter” is not a unit of measurement but a device that measures stuff, like a parking meter. ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/267 "2002-06-27T09:52:06Z")
The Romans had a god of feces named Sterculius. (Unfortunately, I have not been able to find out any other information about this fascinating deity besides the fact that he was the god of manure and latrines. Anyone care to share any more?) I also know Gene Ray’s home phone number, for those of you who are fans of [www.timecube.com](http://www.timecube.com). ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/268 "2002-06-27T09:55:07Z")
The footballer Mark Hughes’ real name is not Mark Hughes. ---
**Author:** ![Mystery\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Mystery\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mystery_Dog)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/269 "2002-06-27T14:15:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ShadowWarrior \* > \*\* > Doctor Who has been played on TV/Film by more actors (and occasionally actresses) than any other character - I used to know how many, but I forgot - somewhere around 15-20 IIRC - more if you add radio shows in too! > \*\* That’s not even close to the record. At least 75 actors have played Sherlock Holmes on film or television, according to the 1993 edition of The Guinness Book of Movie Facts & Feats. The number has probably gone up since 1993. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowWarrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7993a0/32.png) [@ShadowWarrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowWarrior)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/270 "2002-06-27T15:11:11Z")
ahhh… but has he ever been played by an actress? ---
**Author:** ![drollman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f04885/32.png) [@drollman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drollman)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/271 "2002-06-27T15:20:09Z")
Paul McCartney’s first name is Jim. (James, actually) ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/272 "2002-06-27T15:35:21Z")
William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was several years older than he and about four months pregnant when they were married. The Shakespeares had three children, Susannah, and twins Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet died at age 11. Another common Shakespeare misquote: “The better part of valour is discretion” NOT “Discretion is the better part of valour” (Henry IV, Part I) h. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/273 "2002-06-27T15:48:07Z")
William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was several years older than he and about four months pregnant when they were married. The Shakespeares had three children, Susannah, and twins Judith and Hamnet. Hamnet died at age 11. Another common Shakespeare misquote: “The better part of valour is discretion” NOT “Discretion is the better part of valour” (Henry IV, Part I) h. ---
**Author:** ![Flamsterette\_X](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/41988e/32.png) [@Flamsterette\_X](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flamsterette_X)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/274 "2002-08-24T08:24:28Z")
When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop… even your heart. Guess we’re lucky to survive all our sneezes. Though what about those poor people that have sneezing fits all year round? Maybe they’re extra-lucky, I don’t know. F\_X ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/275 "2002-08-24T18:04:49Z")
The original Macintosh operating system (System 1) did not have a “Shut Down” command. When you were finished working, you would eject the floppy disk, then simply turn the machine off. It also had no command for creating a new Folder. The startup diskette always had one folder named “Empty Folder”, and when you wanted a new folder, you’d use the Duplicate command, then rename the duplicate. Oh, and you know the “zoom recs”? The little outlines that zoom out from a drive or folder icon to the edges of the open window frame as it opens? Under Macintosh System 1, the zoom recs would always bounce off the middle of the screen, then up towards you, expanding to become the open window. ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/276 "2002-08-24T19:21:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flamsterette\_X \* > \*\*When you sneeze, all your bodily functions stop… even your heart. \*\* [Cecil would disagree.](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mgesundheit.html) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/277 "2002-08-24T19:48:25Z")
The show \*\* Jesus Christ Superstar \*\* was banned in the USSR when it came out. Russians were so desperate to hear the music that two enterprising people got a copy of it, put together a show with songs using the original Andrew Lloyd Webber melodies, and their own anti-capitalistic lyrics. They called it the Russian translation of \*\* Rock and Roll At Dawn. \*\*. I would KILL to get ANYTHING from that show. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2002, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/281 "2002-08-24T22:51:31Z")
Thanks to Monty Python I know(and have stored in my head) that: Our galaxy is 100,000 light years side to side. Of course, it bulges in the middle where it is 16,000 light years thick(but out by us it’s 3,000 light years wide). John Cleese claims to be the first person to use the word “fuck” in a eulogy(Graham Chapman’s). ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/282 "2002-08-25T04:28:54Z")
When Russell Crowe was playing Jeffery Weigand in The Insider the Hair and Makeup people had to shave RC’s head, cause they couldn’t get the Hair consistant, so they had to put a Hairpiece on. ---
**Author:** ![Ssarl\_the\_happy\_Martian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Ssarl\_the\_happy\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ssarl_the_happy_Martian)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2002, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345/283 "2002-08-25T06:41:34Z")
I know the names of just about all of the actors to play Doctor Who. Actors have played him in film, television, stage and radio. These actors include: Original TV series: Wiliam Hartnell Patrick Troughton Jon Pertwee Tom Baker Peter Davison Richard Hundrall Colin Baker Sylvester McCoy Terry Walsh (a stuntman who I’m including because he appeared about 100 times and his face can be seen more than once!) Stage: Jon Pertwee Colin Baker David Banks (In the same play!) Another actor whose name I believe to have been Terry or Terrence Movies: Peter Cushing Sylvester McCoy Paul McGann Radio: Jon Pertwee Tom Baker Colin Baker Sylvester McCoy Comic Relief Skit (yes, all of these in 20 minutes!): Rowan Atkinson Hugh Grant Jim Broadbent (who also appears on the video release playing ANOTHER incarnation of the Doctor in ANOTHER send up!) Richard E Grant Joanna Lumley There was also another actor who played the role on the Doctor Who night whose name completely escapes me. He was a redhead. Finally, the role has been played by at least a dozen actors in various sendups on the BBC. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-obscure-thing-you-know/99345.md?page=15)