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Normally I reserve the lists on facts and myths to myself, but this one, recently sent in, was so interesting that I have decided to make an exception in this case. Be sure to share your own favorite factlets with us in the comments.
1. Hello wasn’t always the first thing people said when they answered the phone. After the first proper phone service was started in the US in 1878, people said “Ahoy”.
2. Bagpipes were invented in Iran and then brought to Scotland by the Romans.
3. In medieval Japan, it was fashionable for women to sport black teeth.
4. Apollo 11 had 20 seconds of fuel left when it landed.
5. The Chinese used “the fingerprint technique” as a means of identification as far back as AD700.
6. Charles Dickens earned as much for his lectures as he did for his twenty novels.
7. When the Mayflower was no longer of use, they took it apart and recycled it as a barn (pictured above).
8. In English gambling dens in the 18th century, there was a person who was hired solely to swallow the dice in the event of a police raid.
9. The gold ring that many sailors wore were often used to pay for a decent burial after their deaths.
10. A model named Grace Robin was the first person to demonstrate contact lenses in 1930.
11. In ancient Rome, a person with a crooked nose was considered to have great leadership potential.
12. In 1915 William Wrigley Jr. Sent chewing gum to everyone in the phone book.
13. In 18th Century Britain, you could take out insurance against going to hell.
14. The youngest parents in recorded history were eight and nine and lived in china in 1910.
15. In 17th Century England, a woman had, on average 13 children.
16. Out of the 266 men who have been appointed Pope, 33 have died in violent circumstances.
17. Olive oil was once used for washing the body in some Mediterranean countries. It is still, however, a lot more seldom practiced today.
18. India was one of the richest countries in the world until the British invasions in the 17th Century.
19. In ancient Egypt, noblewomen were given a few days to ripen after death in order to remove “temptation” from embalmers.
20. George Washington’s false teeth were actually carved from cows teeth and hippopotamus ivory and were fixed together with metal springs.
1 ants1
November 28th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Is Factlet a word? They still make the world go round all the same.
2 M@RT!N
November 28th, 2009 at 1:47 am
#19 Temptation? LOL
3 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Wish there was more info on these than just few lines. Oh,is that what it is,a factlet of a fact like… a piglet of pig,uh?
4 gav
November 28th, 2009 at 2:02 am
20 seconds of fuel left? That might sound like a close call, but I find it phenomenal planning and engineering that they carried a near-perfect weight of fuel for the journey.
NASA rocks!
5 kate
November 28th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Mmmm…ripening.
6 calm_incense
November 28th, 2009 at 2:09 am
Contact lenses must have been awfully uncomfortable in 1930…
7 soph123
November 28th, 2009 at 2:13 am
I agree with El the Elf, it would have been nice to have a bit more information for each one, but otherwise great list.
8 Master
November 28th, 2009 at 2:18 am
brilliant list, i was actually inspired to research more after reading each one!
9 Tom
November 28th, 2009 at 2:22 am
The youngest mother “factlet” is incorrect:
http://youngest_mother.tripod.com/
10 Kabbi
November 28th, 2009 at 2:29 am
am actually trying ti pecture the women of medieval japan with their black teeth…
on second thoughts, i will not…
i dont want no nightmares man…
oral b anyone???
11 Kabbi
November 28th, 2009 at 2:31 am
that was ‘trying to picture in my mind’
see… nightmare already effecting my mind…
thanks NiMur90 for the nightmares…
12 NiMur90
November 28th, 2009 at 2:35 am
@ants1 (1):
Apparently not, but it should be!
@El the erf (5):
Thanks! I will try and write more next time
Thanks Jamie for publishing my list!
13 N5 NRO
November 28th, 2009 at 2:45 am
@Tom (11):
The link you posted refers to just the youngest mother and omits any details about the father, whereas the factlet is referring to the “youngest parents”, so is technically correct.
14 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 2:52 am
I’d like to add in no.18,before its invasion, India was known as the golden bird… This list is so frustratingly underdeveloped I can’t help wondering the what, why, when, where, how and i dunnowhatelse of these factlets.
15 Giantshredder
November 28th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Lmao AT 13!!!
16 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 3:03 am
And that’s what I like about this list!
17 Phil
November 28th, 2009 at 3:04 am
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
18 Corn
November 28th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Wow this is easily one of the most lazily researched list that it makes Jamie look like an idiot for publishing this heap of dung!
19 NKA
November 28th, 2009 at 3:52 am
I disagree with the general opinion here. Each fact is very short, so if you want more information on a fact that really interests you, you can do some research yourself.
It’s just a quick and fun read, loved it.
20 Kerry King
November 28th, 2009 at 3:58 am
HELLO
21 Ahmad
November 28th, 2009 at 4:03 am
At no 16 – Someone should make a list of 10 MOST VIOLENT POPE DEATHS.
22 Arsnl
November 28th, 2009 at 4:10 am
#11 apparently cleopatra had a big sniffer thats why romans considered her so attractive
23 archangel
November 28th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Ripen the body to guard against necrophiliacs? o_0 woW!
24 Quagmire
November 28th, 2009 at 4:13 am
@Kabbi (12): oral b anyone???
Giggity
25 Luka
November 28th, 2009 at 4:15 am
Oooh, I already knew about the Egyptian one
Herodotus wrote about it after visiting Egypt…
26 The_Snowdog
November 28th, 2009 at 4:26 am
Regarding # 8 – I used to have a job like that.
When the police or feds busted in to the gambling den I would swallow the dice.
Later on after it was safe I would shoot “craps”
27 L
November 28th, 2009 at 4:30 am
@Luka (27): Herodotus wrote about it after visiting Egypt…
Herodot: Why the body is lying in the sun?
Egyptians: What body? Oh, that one!. It’s because.. uh.. Oh yeah, it’s to remove temptation from embalmers
Herodot: Ooooh (writes it down)
Egyptians: hehehehe (very silently)
28 Yogipogi
November 28th, 2009 at 4:57 am
lame lame lame…
29 NickNamed
November 28th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Interesting list, good job. Knew a few of these, others were new to me. However, I thought Tom’s (#11) link was the most interesting thing here! That’s some cuh-razy stuff! More here, replete with disturbing photograph…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Medina
30 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 5:07 am
The crooked nose thing started with Julius I believe? In ancient egypt however, the case might have been just the opposite…Cleopatra had a very pretty nose you see.
31 Troezen
November 28th, 2009 at 5:16 am
At 32, Cleopatra’s nose was very crooked. If you see some of the coins minted in her reign, it’s not today’s ideal of beauty by any means.
32 amadee
November 28th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Ships and boat’s timbers were often recycled as roof beams, my own house is an example of this.
33 Junqueman
November 28th, 2009 at 5:24 am
AHH, YESSSSSSSSS, A much better list then yesterday’s. Today was something to look forward to. I’m in the thirties again–guess I missed first–Don’t you just love when they say “FIRST” and they’re second or third or even fourth?
34 HAGEN
November 28th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Hi, everyone!
Great list. I’ve really enjoyed it…
35 Vera Lynn
November 28th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Short but sweet. Or maybe just short. Haha
36 Maccie
November 28th, 2009 at 5:43 am
@The_Snowdog (28): Is it true that they sometimes give you die-arrhoea??
37 kat87
November 28th, 2009 at 5:52 am
@Tom (11):
It wasnt a “youngest mother” fact, it was “youngest parents”. The 5yr old girl wasn’t impregnated by another child.
38 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 6:01 am
@Troezen (33): Caeser, Obelix and Getafix the druid respectfully disagree.
39 Moonbeam
November 28th, 2009 at 6:42 am
On November 7′s list (2009), 10 More Myths Debunked # 10 was also all about George Washington’s teeth. I realize that there’s bound to be redundancies and overlapping on a site with all lists, but it seems like there could be a new factlet this soon after.
Just sayin’
40 Rebecca
November 28th, 2009 at 6:54 am
I liked this list. Just enough info to start my day.
@ kat87 (39): I read about the youngest mother at age 5. Kinda disturbing – who was the father of that child? Also, I wonder if any criminal charges were ever sought if it was an adult? Do you know?
41 Skrillah
November 28th, 2009 at 6:58 am
”India was one of the richest countries in the world until the British invasions in the 17th Century”
Britain never ”invaded” they just traded civilization with Indian riches! The Indians wouldn’t mind that…
Colonialism is the father of poverty in the east
And now they’re developed,Our 3rd world economy is weak!
Now they are gone, still sense their existence
In the form of Bars, and corrupted spineless politicians
- 3rd World Dweller aka Skrillah
42 get a clue
November 28th, 2009 at 7:17 am
This list is presented in such a sparse fashion that it almost sounds made up. I understand a factlet is a tiny thing but the richness of this website is the embellishment of the fact that truth is stranger than fiction. To that extent, at least a few citations would be a welcome addition.
43 Davy
November 28th, 2009 at 7:23 am
You learn something every day…but with Listverse, you learn 20 things every day! I actually knew most of these already (12 of them to be precise), but it was an interesting read nonetheless.
44 Davy
November 28th, 2009 at 7:27 am
@Moonbeam (41): You beat me to it! I remembered seeing something about Washington’s false teeth on a recent list when I read this one.
45 oouchan
November 28th, 2009 at 7:32 am
I knew of bunch of these but liked learning more! Cool list. I especially like this one:
13. In 18th Century Britain, you could take out insurance against going to hell.
I would bet that the insurance salesmen at that time came out better from that one. mmmmm….
46 Davy
November 28th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Nice list, by the way NiMur90. I won’t say great because, like get a clue (44) put it, “this list is presented in such a sparse fashion that it almost sounds made up”, and I completely agree.
47 Davy
November 28th, 2009 at 7:38 am
@oouchan (47): lol, yeah that one was pretty funny
48 AuthorityFigure
November 28th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Mr. Burns still saya “Ahoy-hoy” when he answers the phone.
49 Lowdog
November 28th, 2009 at 7:57 am
@ El (40)
haha Asterix and Obelix f*king ruuuuule!
i read them books so many times as a kid!
50 alexman
November 28th, 2009 at 8:11 am
india wasnt a country until the 1940′s.
there were different kingdoms rule by muslims, hindu’s and sihks. therefore india wasnt one of the richest countries in the world as it didnt exist.
51 Bloodyfish
November 28th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hello isn’t always the first thing people say when they enter the phone. Russians say “Alo” first, then hello.
52 L
November 28th, 2009 at 8:30 am
@alexman (52):
In other words they didn’t have flag. No flag, no country!
53 Toto
November 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
It is still, however, a lot more seldom practiced today.
??
54 El the erf
November 28th, 2009 at 8:36 am
@Skrillah (43):
I hope that was sarcasm.
Because civilization is not about going around in horse-carriages than bullock carts or living under concrete roofs than mud houses,I believe.
It has more to do with the inner conscience and the intent of human being.
The English had the full intent of invading India and they were indeed successful in doing so. However when their conscience came to talking terms with them, a certain bald man did not face much trouble in shooing the whole empire away.
But yes, they left their remnants out there in the form of sacky-shit politicos who are eating up the countries of the eastside side of the globe like leeches.
55 amo
November 28th, 2009 at 8:41 am
@kat87 (39):
well said!
56 nyota0uhura
November 28th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I love the one about Apollo 11 and the one about the Mayflower.
About the one with the embalmers in Ancient Egypt: what source is that from? I have studied Egyptology and this is the first time I’ve heard this story. Since my specialty were mummies/mummification, I was quite surprised to see this faclet I knew nothing about.
57 noclustu
November 28th, 2009 at 9:33 am
great list!
58 toastedmilk
November 28th, 2009 at 10:38 am
concerning #3, i’ve seen women with black teeth in period japanese films before and always just assumed it was a traditional makeup technique to imply the teeth were missing.
59 kutuup
November 28th, 2009 at 10:42 am
The one about the mayflower is not technically true, I live literally two minutes drive from the Mayflower barn in the picture (between Seer Green and Jordans, Bucks, England) and it is not known for a fact that the barn really is made from timbers from THAT perticular Mayflower, there were a lot of ships thushly named at the time and all that is known was that it uses timbers from a ship with that name, it’s more of a local legend that it was THE Mayflower. Nice list though!
60 deeeziner
November 28th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Middle Eastern bathing involved a long process of steam sauna, cool water, massage, lathering, a depilatory (if desired), all performed upon you by a personal servant or two, in a Hammam.
The olive oil was applied to the body early in the process to trap the dirt and grime that sweated out during the steam sauna, after which an attendant would give a full body scraping, using a variety of wooden paddles and other tools made for this purpose.
The lathering process was called “cham-po”, from which we get the word shampoo. Marco Polo quite enjoyed the process, and would seek out a hammam during rest stops while on caravan.
61 deeeziner
November 28th, 2009 at 10:47 am
@oouchan (47): That one got me too. Seems that payouts would be rare, as who could prove where the insured’s souls actually ended up.
Sounds like a profitable twist to “buying your way into heaven”.
62 Jeezlouise
November 28th, 2009 at 10:50 am
19 is horrible lol
63 Phil
November 28th, 2009 at 11:04 am
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO etc.
64 deeeziner
November 28th, 2009 at 11:16 am
okay everybody….has Phil’s comment #65 screwed up your computer too?
I have this long lonely strip of “O’s” just going off the edge of my screen. Straight through the margin, into oblivion.
65 Jorick
November 28th, 2009 at 11:42 am
There’s only one thing wrong with this list: the George Washington’s teeth factlet. That one is so overused it’s ridiculous. Anyone who knows more than surface gloss information about Washington knows the wood teeth thing is BS. Even the most moronic primary schools are no longer teaching the myth, at least in my corner of the USA. So if this fact could stop being recycled, I’m sure we’d all appreciate it.
Other than that, very nice list. 19/20 good factlets isn’t bad, still gets an A on a grading scale.
66 shamzahm
November 28th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I love love LOVE these types of lists!
67 undaunted warrior
November 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
El the erf – you have posted 6 comments in a short spase of time, Do you remember what Mom told you – read the comments and reply all in one comment – wake up , this gives the guys at HQ a lot of less stress.
68 Ashantai
November 28th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Great list. I don’t normally comment, but I feel I have to here.
As a previous commentator said above, India was not the richest country in the world before the British came simply because it was split into over 20 minor states. As time went on it became even more divided as the Murghul Empire broke up.
It is true that a vast amount of wealth was taken from India, and also true that a great many terrible things were done in the name of occupation. However, the lot of the average Indian actually improved slightly between the 17th and 19th centuries. The people who suffered the most were the vast amount of nobles and local princes.
So in summary, the above isn’t exactly true because India was more divided and warlike. And remember, the British did not make large scale acquisitions until the end of the 18th century.
However, this is splitting hairs. Overall this is a good list.
69 Gatsby
November 28th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
@Toto(53)
I read the same thing, and wondered how something could be, “a lot more seldom practiced today.”
70 Shadow Lord
November 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Nice list!
Few things about #18 (India)
India and China were the largest economies of the world starting 100 BC (or perhaps even before) until 17th century (China and India competed for the #1 position). From Chandragupta Maura (Mauryan empire) to Aurangzeb (Moghul empire).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_economy_of_India
I also noticed a comment which says India wasn’t a country until 1940s. That is totally false. Like any country or state, even the territory of India kept changing from time to time. Chandragupta Maura was the first emperor to unite India, then his son Bindusara and then his son Ashoka The Great united India under one currency and one rule. Pakistan, Baluchistan, and parts of Afghanistan were also under Mauryan empire.
One of the greatest empires of India and greatest success stories (rags to riches)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurya_Empire
Then the Gupta empire, barring parts of West and South-West India, it also united most of modern India (around 350 AD)
Then the Pala Empire under which India was united again leaving out parts of Gujarat and Karnataka states.
Then several dynasties came and went, successful in uniting only parts of India and/or parts of other countries under one rule and currency. Until the Moghuls.
The 4 great Moghuls ruled most of modern India and infact most of Southasia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal_Empire
Then the Marathas(again the penetration was not as deep).
Then come the British. They united India for the final time before it was permanently divided shaping it to the current borders.
71 Dk
November 28th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
@Gatsby (69): I think the problem is in where the comma was placed. “It is still, however a lot more seldom, practiced today.” would have been a bit clearer, but I think a re-writing of the sentence would be most clear. Maybe “It is still practiced today, but very seldomly.” or something?
72 yeah
November 28th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
@El the erf (54):
Great comment.
73 Miss_Info
November 28th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@undaunted warrior (67): 6 comments isn’t that bad… he’s brought it down from his usual 17.(just like I told him to :p )
Nice list by the way….
74 Woyzeck
November 28th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@El the erf (54):
You mean, “a certain bald pervert who crippled and split his country in his efforts to drive the war-crippled rulers of the country out, resulting in millions of deaths”.
75 Miss_Info
November 28th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Heres one: The Oakland Raiders were almost named the Señors, an allusion to the Spanish settlers of northern California.
mentalfloss.com
76 _-DAN-_
November 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
#13 was hilarious!
77 oouchan
November 28th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
@Davy (47): & @deeeziner (61):
Yeah. That one cracked me up. If I could pick a job, that would be my first choice!
@deeeziner (64): It looks as though that comment was removed. I checked my email before however, and it was just as messed up. Very weird.
78 Angel
November 28th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Enjoyable list. Anyone complaining about the brevity of each factlet must be extra lazy. It’s not hard at all to copy and paste something into google and instantly have a number of resources from which to learn about a subject.
79 Dark
November 28th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
@74-I got a name for the Raiders.How about the Pathetics? I think when the being known as Al Davis finally dies he’ll probably be stuffed,placed in a wheelchair and still make appearances at games. That way the legacy of letdowns can continue. And one more thing about the Pathetics-How much longer do we have to wait until that organization admits their former #1 pick is pure garbage.Can you say Ryan Leaf? Sorry for the rant. LOL Interesting bits of knowledge throughout the list. By the way Miss_Info if you’re a female that’s hot. A women with knowledge of football is awesome. I’m not some pervert flirting or anything. Just offering a compliment.
80 Woyzeck
November 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
@Dark (79):
See thuh buh-bul? Pop da buh-bul.
GRIZZLAH MINT BABY. ALL DAY LONG.
HOOO-EY!
81 redcaboose
November 28th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I thought that this was a fine list, with enough information to do further research, if interested. People that say they were too short, are just plain lazy.
82 Miss_Info
November 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
@Dark (79): Not female, and I couldn’t care less about football or your undying hatred towards Raiders…sowwy
GO SOCCER !!!!!!!
83 NiMur90
November 28th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
@Dk (71):
It turns out “seldomly” isn’t actually a word, I had that sentence written, but the spell checker said seldom, so I had to re-write it!
84 NiMur90
November 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
@Jorick (65):
That teeth factlet highlights the misconception of his teeth being made of wood. I actually said they were made of hippopotamus ivory and cows teeth and held together with metal springs. It is also thought that he had several sets of false teeth.
85 Pat Mc Donagh
November 28th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Il bate you ya innocent plagureising fool , and ill destroy you at halo 3 , online
D
86 Pat Mc Donagh
November 28th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
OJ
i know him
87 Pat Mc Donagh
November 28th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
not r a pedo??? :L
88 NiMur90
November 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
89 Larry
November 28th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
@L #27; My man…you absolutely cracked me up. You possess my sense of humor! That was seriously funny.
90 Gospacho Holstien
November 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Japanese women’s teeth
It has only been in the most recent generations that the practice of cosmetic dentistry has been available for women in Japan. As late as the 1970s Japanese women, because of badly misaligned teeth, instinctively covered their mouth with their hand when they smiled or laughed
91 Gospacho Holstien
November 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
@NiMur90 (84): Doubtless he did. One set of false teeth will not serve a person for his whole life. As the gums recede the dentures must be relined and at some point completely replaced
92 saber25
November 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Hi listverse I’m gonna make a list, but it’s better not to tell the contents yet
93 pokee2
November 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
13 children? wtf?! no wonder this earth is overpopulated! Thank god it’s slowing down. I think i read the washington one in another list.
94 Diogenes
November 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
contender?
factlets or factletsnot?
you decide:
giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae as humans.
giraffes also have the longest tails of all land mammals.
giraffes have the highest blood pressure of all mammals.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly
The hematophagy urge of the desmodus rotundus results in the injection of anticoagulants in its prey so that it bleeds more.
No scientific studies have let loose a swarm of blood consuming bats on a herd of giraffes.
Giraafes necks may or may not be of interest to the desmodus rotundus (vampire)bat.
Bats are not shape shifting vampires.
If they cant get their blood quota they kiss another of their kind for nourishment.
I have the biggest dick in the world.
comedian Bill Cosby lost his virginity at age 14.
rapper eccentric Flavor Flav lost his at age six.
jeffrey dahmer’s favorite movie was the Exorcist III
Hitler’s favorite movie was King Kong
I was riding the bus today and i was sitting next to this guy that kept farting. the bus was packed and i felt kinda ill. then i wet my pants a little and the cell phone girl in front of me turned her head and belched then laughed. the morning was okay.
Ricky showed me this book that had an article relating to molecular transfusions from ones spinal membrane into their heart. i forget why.
Picasso’s full name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso
Salvador Dali, at the end of his life, attempted to dehydrate himself, believing that when he dead he would simply be in an inanimate state and could thus be rehydrated, like sea monkey pets.
aaaannd not. fail
my times up , have to go. I’ve grown bored of this anyhow.
nice read though, i enjoyed it.
for some reason i thought i was going to see something about rats today. like rat collectors or rat fighting, perhaps rat recipes. why did i think that? i don’t know. no hidden message at all, just that it crossed my mind.
here’s a picture of a nutria on what looks like somebody’s paddle:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Myocastor_coypus3.jpg
awwww, and here’s another of the cute thing swimming past some ducklings that are paddling for their lives:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Myocastor_coypus4.jpg
I was walking down the sidewalk around 9 o-clock this evening and i saw a flat dead rat laying there and had to walk around it to were i was in the street and i got hit by a car. it was hit and run they said.
95 Sofar
November 28th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Apollo 11 using all but 20 seconds of its fuel seems significant at first, but remember that with space travel you only need to use your engines when leaving a celestial body. After that you just coast out of gear.
96 cosmicshambles
November 28th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Did nobody else find number 15 hard to believe? An AVERAGE of thirteen children? Come on. According to ‘Women’s history: Britain, 1700-1850′ by Hannah Barker, ‘women on average bore 6-7 live children’. Google it – there is a handy preview of the book. The quote is from p70.
97 cosmicshambles
November 28th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Wait… that’s the 18th century. Dammit. Just a minute…
98 cosmicshambles
November 28th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Here we go. According to suite101.com’s 17th century England course: ‘Infant mortality was high, due to disease, malnutrition and poor midwifery. The average family was around four and a half persons.’ I also found this quote (from http://library.ups.edu/instruct/ricig/vtomq.htm#fs) regarding family size in mid 17th century England: ‘The average number of children born into a family was between three and four, of whom two or three survived to adulthood. But this statistic covers a wide variation in family size. Upper-class families had more children, sometimes as many as sixteen.’ The source cited was the Oxford Illustrated History of Tudor & Stuart Britain, p. 91.
99 Dark
November 29th, 2009 at 12:29 am
@Woyzeck- what does that mean man? Jeez dude I don’t speak whatever the hell that was that you posted. Was it some sort of insult? Anyway, my honest apologies to Miss_Info. I meant no harm and offer you my most humble apologies. And from what I know of soccer,the fans are the largest group of any popular sport. So I give you two thumbs up in your choice of favorite. Thank all the fake gods past, present and future that you didn’t give a shout out to NASCAR. Again my apologies
100 SexySmell
November 29th, 2009 at 5:41 am
@ 2: The Bagpipes used in Scotland originated in Ireland it could be that the Irish got it from the Romans but it seems silly that they would go to Erie then Scotland considering geography. Also the romans never made considerable in-roads into scotland certainly never conquering the whole thing. So why would a hostile area which was neither under cultural or military control accept foreign culture so easily when the: goths, iberians, gauls and britons didnt pick it up. this one needs more research.
@3: at one point it was not fashionable but mandatory for all people of the japanese court to have blackened teeth. this was men and women. James Clavell touches on this in ‘shogun’ its also pretty comonly thought that were it not court decree no one would have done it.
this list isnt so much incorrect as lacking in context. you need to put out some well written lists instead of these little one offs.
101 me
November 29th, 2009 at 7:16 am
two questions
12. phone book of which city?
19. whats ripening? eh, lol….
and also for ur info
india was called “sone ki chidiya” meaning golden bird
102 Yawyack
November 29th, 2009 at 7:50 am
@El the erf (54):
So the British Empire left behind bad political systems in Asia in your opinion. Was the political systems better before the British arrived? And can the Empire be really blamed for how politicians and the government are now?
Your concept of civilization is very strange. Civilization in a personal state of mind? Uh?
Oh and your knowledge of British India, its creation and its purpose is very weak.
@Shadow Lord (70):
“I also noticed a comment which says India wasn’t a country until 1940s. That is totally false. Like any country or state, even the territory of India kept changing from time to time.”
But aren’t all those that you listed empires in India, and not India as a country?
103 kcd75
November 29th, 2009 at 11:33 am
These are some very interested facts! Thanks for the site.
104 Shadow Lord
November 29th, 2009 at 11:42 am
@Yawyack (102):
I am assuming that you mean a “democratic country” when you say country. If yes, then you are right. But if we go by the definition of Country, it goes as something like “A political division of a geographical region united by common governance, policies, law and currency.” then India was a country way before her independence.
Since Hinduism was the major religion (along with Jainism and Buddhism) followed by the vast majority of Ancient India, one empire was not much different from the other. Though, this got changed once the Muslim invaders started taking control. Thanks to Akbar The Great, India really enjoyed democracy-like governance even under a foreign ruler. India lost its independence once it was colonized. Until 1947, India remained a colony before finally becoming a nation (a country). History rocks!!!
105 Shadow Lord
November 29th, 2009 at 11:53 am
@Yawyack (102):
Well, though we cannot blame the empire entirely for our current politics in India, the main reason for the economic condition of India post-independence is for the fact that India was away from the industrial revolution.
Corruption has again to do with the mind set of people. Sad that these days politics is just another job where you get paid very less but you earn hell a lot. Democracy under corruption is worse than dictatorship.
106 deeeziner
November 29th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
@me (101): “12. phone book of which city?”
I wondered the same thing…enough to go Googling…In 1915 he sent sticks of gum to everyone in “all the phone books he could get his hands on”.
He did it again in 1919, sending 4 sticks per address, even though the phone registries contained about 7 million names at that time.
107 deeeziner
November 29th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
…sending 4 sticks (of gum) per address….
108 Jim
November 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Re: Apollo 11
I think it should be clarified that it was the lunar module, the Eagle, that only had 20 seconds of fuel left. Neil Armstrong had to find another spot to land because the initial site chosen was strewn with boulders and thus unsuitable.
109 smokingfrog
November 29th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I really liked the word factlet, so some googling yielded :
A trivial, ephemeral fact; yet just as accurate. Not to be confused with factoid, which denotes less than accurate.
@El the erf (3): i like ur concept of factlet ~ piglet. gud1
About #19: “temptation” about dead women is just SICK and disgusting
110 smokingfrog
November 29th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
AND,
About the “India being the richest country in the world and british invading” debate, I as a Indian really dont care.
The fact remains tht the Britishers saw, came and conquered India, even if it was a rich country or not a country at all. They divided us successfully and left us with nothing but borders and a much hightened hatred between diff religions(u know which btw..).
But having said tht, i really like wht India is right now and wht it is going to be.
Something serious i tht about while working
Good list.
Cheers!
111 me
November 29th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
@ yawyack (102)
@ shadow lord (104)
the concept of india as a counrty and a nation is as old as the india itself
though india has had many empires and different races, religions, there’s a common theme that binds its people together
without sounding anymore syrupy, let me just say that india rocks
112 Shadow Lord
November 30th, 2009 at 2:07 am
@smokingfrog (110):
The British did a good thing by separating India and Pakistan. Keeping my emotions aside, had Pakistan still been a part of India, we would have had to face much sicker enemies like Afghanistan and terrorism would have
been on a higher scale.
The fight between these two religions you are mentioning has been going on way before the British stepped in India. The British just added fuel to the already burning fire. Starting from Bakhtiyar Khalji to Aurangzeb, history is evident that there has been lot of blood shed in the name of religion.
@me (111):
Right on!!! Divided we fight with each other, united we fight for each other. No matter what, we are all one!
@Fanatics: If any fanatic is reading this and trying to make a fuss about it, my request is to keep their mouth shut because none of us is blaming any country or religion for anything. We are all just discussing history!
113 The boy from troy
November 30th, 2009 at 3:01 am
@me (111): what’s that common theme ,may I enquire of you?
114 The boy from troy
November 30th, 2009 at 3:06 am
@Shadow Lord (112): yeaah bet you people are united..with all the casteism,regionalism,communalism plaguing India..stop being pseudo-patriots and look at the problem within
115 me
November 30th, 2009 at 3:18 am
@ troy boy (113)
that i don’t know, brother
116 The boy from troy
November 30th, 2009 at 3:29 am
@me (115): You don’t know? Wow..I mean really..what binds you people together..the history of India is strife with civil conflicts..
117 amazin
November 30th, 2009 at 3:37 am
hey do any of u know where there is a picture?
118 amazin
November 30th, 2009 at 3:38 am
how are u
119 bitch
November 30th, 2009 at 3:41 am
i am a fat ugly bitch and me and my dad have 8 kids because we shag
120 The boy from troy
November 30th, 2009 at 3:45 am
@amazin (117): Picture of what?picture of these facts? really…
121 me
November 30th, 2009 at 3:49 am
@ troy boy (116)
u people? really?
i thot u were an indian too, but it seems u aren’t one.
122 The boy from troy
November 30th, 2009 at 3:55 am
@me (121): How the hell do you know if I am an Indian or not..and even if you know who I am,you don’t revealing on the net any person’s identity..so there you are..the novelty factor is lost kiddo
123 Sasha
November 30th, 2009 at 4:48 am
what is factlet no. 19 all about?
whaa
124 Shadow Lord
November 30th, 2009 at 6:01 am
@The boy from troy (114):
Yes boy! We ARE united. With so many languages, religions, castes, creeds, races, communities and whatnot, we are still united. It is people like you who finger everything and disrupt the peace.
125 Shadow Lord
November 30th, 2009 at 6:03 am
And the “common theme” is called love. Love towards the nation. Love towards each other. Love towards the rich heritage and culture. Love towards friends, towards enemies. Towards people like you too!
126 smokingfrog
November 30th, 2009 at 7:03 am
@Shadow Lord (112):
Well wht cud have been or not i cannot say, but u r absolutely right abt the rift betw the 2 religions have been going on for a long time.
And we surely are united and one forever.
India rocks anytime!!
Cheers!!
127 nuriko
November 30th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
for real #14?!?!?! OMG!
128 Megg
December 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Awesome list. Some very interesting facts for sure.
Keep these lists coming.
129 PipingScott
December 7th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
SexySmell & 2
The bag pipes used in Scotland (Highland Bagpipes) are NOT the same pipes from Ireland. The bag pipes were thought to have originated from Africa, more specifically Egypt.
The most traditional material for the chanter and drones (the pipes on the instrument) is African Blackwood.
130 teenagemusicfreak
December 8th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
That was a great list
I especially liked the one about Romans with a crooked nose? If I could I’d like to ask them why they thought that don’t you?
Keep on making those lists
131 justcurious1
December 13th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Great list that covers a wide range of topics. Also, any month that begins on a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th.
132 Alisha Crider
July 27th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
#14 – the youngest mother was a 5 year old from Peru, not an 8 year old from China.
#20 – Washington's teeth were made of many other types of bone than hippo, and he also had a set of 18K gold teeth.