Tag: The Daily Extra

By the number

21,000

The estimated number of genes in the human genome has been revised from as many as 140,000 in 1999.

Pun-official Holiday

On August 26th

Paw-lease go mutts with pup-lifting festivities for Dog Day!

150 years ago

On August 25, 1875

Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel unassisted.

U.S. coins used to say “Mind Your Business”

The earliest U.S. coin in circulation featured the phrase “Mind Your Business” rather than “In God We Trust.” This original motto was attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but the phrase was changed to “In God We Trust” during the Civil War, primarily due to a rise in religious sentiments, as noted by Snopes.

Your tongue is as unique as your fingerprints

Just as every person has unique fingerprints, each person’s tongue has its own distinct characteristics. Studies indicate that each individual’s “tongue print” is one-of-a-kind, featuring its own unique shape, size, color, and texture. Even identical twins have variations in their tongues. Some research suggests that tongue prints might serve as a valuable asset in forensic investigations. – 50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know

Strange Odd Fact

When someone visits Paris for the first time and finds that it doesn’t meet their high expectations, they may experience a phenomenon known as Paris Syndrome. This genuine psychological condition can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. Notably, it seems to impact Japanese tourists more frequently than others. The disillusionment may stem from culture shock and the contrast between reality and the idealized image of Paris often depicted in Japanese pop culture, as mentioned in “50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know.”

A dentist invented the electric chair

In 1881, an unusual historical incident occurred when Alfred P. Southwick, a dentist from Buffalo, N.Y., observed a strange accident involving an intoxicated man who was electrocuted after touching a live generator terminal. This led Southwick to contemplate the possibility of using electrocution as a quicker and more humane alternative to traditional execution methods like the guillotine or hanging. He successfully collaborated with the governor of New York and state legislators, helping to pass laws for electrical executions in New York and 20 other states. –50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know

Pilots and co-pilots consume different in-flight meals

A comforting fact about air travel is that the Captain and First Officer of most airlines eat different meals to minimize the risk of both becoming ill from food poisoning while in the air. 50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know

An Author Prediction

In the 1898 novella The Wreck of the Titan: Or, Futility, Morgan Robertson tells the story of a fictional ‘unsinkable’ British ocean liner called Titan, which meets its fate after colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. Strikingly similar to the Titanic’s sinking in 1912, the Titan also lacked sufficient lifeboats for all its passengers. 50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know

Women in Allied nations donned red lipstick as an act of defiance against Hitler’s disdain for it. British journalist Madeleine Marsh, who wrote *Compacts and Cosmetics: Beauty from Victorian Times to the Present Day*, notes that Hitler particularly disliked red lipstick. In response, women in Allied countries and the Resistance embraced it as a bold statement against his regime. 50 Weird Facts That Most People Don’t Know

Antarctica is the only continent without any reptiles or snakes.

“Not only does the elusive continent of Antarctica lack McDonald’s joints – but it also doesn’t have any of our lizard friends. Why? Well – we all know that reptiles are cold-blooded – so they can’t produce their own heat. Meaning, they’d get turned into popsicles in the frosty Arctic.”- Fact.com

Mindful Moment

To listen mindfully to someone else, focus entirely on them. Take natural breaths and pay attention to their words. If thoughts come to mind, gently release them and refocus on what the speaker is conveying. Hold off on responding until you’ve heard everything they want to share; avoid jumping to conclusions about their message.

By the Number

91

Minutes legendary magician Harry Houdini spent underwater in a sealed coffin before emerging unharmed during his last public escape.

Groaners: World’s Best of Bad Jokes and Puns

Q: Why is camping not for everyone?

A: It’s too in-tents.

Fun Fact

Ferdinand Porsche, who established the automobile company that bears his name, created the first hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle. This pioneering car, called the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, began production in 1900.