N Gauge Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 05:46:25 PM

Title: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 05:46:25 PM
Why do men's clothes generally have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

BECAUSE:
When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich.  Because most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left.   And since wealthy women were dressed by maids, the dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! because most maids are right handed and again, its easier for the made to push buttons through holes on the left!

That's where women's buttons have remained since.
:hmmm:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Bob Tidbury on February 03, 2015, 06:48:17 PM
Does that mean a left handed man has To buy women's clothes and left handed women men's clothes Ha Ha,
Bob
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 06:50:16 PM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on February 03, 2015, 06:48:17 PM
Does that men a left handed man has Toby women's clothes and left handed women men's clothes Ha Ha,
Bob

Whatever takes your fancy Bob!!  :beers:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Bob Tidbury on February 03, 2015, 06:55:53 PM
Don't worry I'm a right handed man and my wife's clothes definatly would not fit not that I've tried .
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 06:59:48 PM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on February 03, 2015, 06:55:53 PM
my wife's clothes definatly would not fit not that I've tried .
I'm very glad to hear that Bob - I'll be posting another interesting fact tomorrow, if I can find one!
:beers:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 03, 2015, 07:11:38 PM
The area of the Russian Federation is greater than the surface area of Pluto.

French Bulldogs can't swim.

Dionne Warwick was once struck by a tram in Glasgow.


Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: PLD on February 03, 2015, 07:18:39 PM
Can we have a vote on these (so called) facts please...

As for this one my vote is for 'Urban Myth'  :thumbsdown:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 07:19:34 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 03, 2015, 07:11:38 PM
The area of the Russian Federation is greater than the surface area of Pluto.

French Bulldogs can't swim.

Dionne Warwick was once struck by a tram in Glasgow.
Thank you Agrippa for your input into this highly intellectual thread. Just a couple of things concerning your interesting facts.

It is obvious that the area of the Russian Federation is greater than the surface area of Pluto as Pluto is just a dog.
Can British Bulldogs swim?
Did Dionne Warwick get looked after by the NHS and is she still waiting in A & E?
I hope to continue this highly intellectual thread over the coming days...

:D

Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 03, 2015, 07:21:25 PM
Quote from: PLD on February 03, 2015, 07:18:39 PM
Can we have a vote on these (so called) facts please...

As for this one my vote is for 'Urban Myth'  :thumbsdown:

Boring!! :sleep:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: PLD on February 03, 2015, 07:30:26 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 03, 2015, 07:11:38 PM
Dionne Warwick was once struck by a tram in Glasgow.

That one is definitely 'Urban Myth' - it (alegedly) happened in 1964, almost 4 years AFTER the last trams ran in Glasgow!!  :doh:

The alternate version sometime quoted (and feasible without the aid of a tardis) is that she was knocked down by a trolley-bus.

I believe the truth is she was a passenger in a car that was in a collision with a bus (possibly a trolley)  ::)

Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: sparky on February 03, 2015, 09:14:02 PM
This thread is definitely getting a bit Michael Caine....
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Newportnobby on February 03, 2015, 10:01:13 PM
Secret Policeman's Ball: Peter Cook and John Cleese 'Interesting Facts' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn08cA5zNAI#)
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: javlinfaw7 on February 03, 2015, 11:32:28 PM
The last tram in Glasgow ran in 1988
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 03, 2015, 11:45:56 PM
The Garden Festival...............
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 03, 2015, 11:49:55 PM
And one which I can personally vouch for, I once bought a drink for a
Miss World contestant .

Beat that !
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 04, 2015, 03:53:54 PM
Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

BECAUSE:
In France ,where tennis became popular, the zero on the scoreboard was oval and looked like an egg. French for 'the egg' is l'oeuf.

When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans (mis)pronounced it 'love.'
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: BobB on February 04, 2015, 06:26:07 PM
A miss world contestant thanked me for the drink I bought her, but never saw her drink it - might have smudged her lipstick I suppose.

How did Mr Caine get into this thread. Does he like trains, does he ever travel on them and if he has a layout is it in N ?
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 04, 2015, 07:05:48 PM
Mr Caine does indeed travel on trains in "The eagle has landed " and " The man who would be king".

Here's another interesting fact :-

St Mirren is the only football club to have fired Sir Alex Ferguson.

Not a lot of people know that..............

Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: ScottyStitch on February 04, 2015, 07:08:42 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 04, 2015, 07:05:48 PM
Mr Caine does indeed travel on trains in "The eagle has landed " and " The man who would be king".

Here's another interesting fact :-

St Mirren is the only football club to have fired Sir Alex Ferguson.

Not a lot of people know that..............

And slightly related, Arsenal is the only football club in England to have a train station named specifically after them.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Geoff on February 04, 2015, 07:33:01 PM
So thats why the wife pushes all my buttons  :-[
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 04, 2015, 08:16:47 PM
And St John's Wood is the only London tube station which does not contain any
of the letters in the word "mackerel".

Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 05, 2015, 05:29:35 PM
Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

BECAUSE:

In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X.  The person signing the document would then kiss the X, thereby representing an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document.   The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 06, 2015, 05:17:53 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

BECAUSE:

In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal.  If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.
:sleep:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 07, 2015, 05:29:28 PM
Why are many coin collection jar banks shaped like pigs?

BECAUSE:

Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'.
When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.' 
When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a container that resembled a pig.

Hence the birth of the piggy bank.
:D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 07, 2015, 05:44:42 PM
A few weeks ago scientists from Glasgow and Edinburgh reduced the speed of light
in a lab experiment.

(don't ask me to explain it)
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 07, 2015, 05:50:31 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 07, 2015, 05:44:42 PM
A few weeks ago scientists from Glasgow and Edinburgh reduced the speed of light
in a lab experiment.

(don't ask me to explain it)
Its probably because they were using low energy light bulbs which, as we all know, take ages to light up!!
:D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: MikeDunn on February 07, 2015, 07:43:44 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 07, 2015, 05:44:42 PM
A few weeks ago scientists from Glasgow and Edinburgh reduced the speed of light
in a lab experiment.
What they did was quite clever ... but not the first time it's been done.

However, it must be understood that the speed of light is not static ... it depends on what the photon is travelling through.  For example, the slowest that light has been recorded is (I believe) 17 metres/second ... ... although a photon has been stopped & restarted later ...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: acko22 on February 09, 2015, 12:39:38 AM
I can stop and start light too, in fact all of us can!!

Flick the switch on and We have started light! TO stop it simply flick the switch the other way!!

:laugh3:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 09, 2015, 08:19:32 AM
Quote from: acko22 on February 09, 2015, 12:39:38 AM
I can stop and start light too, in fact all of us can!!

Flick the switch on and We have started light! TO stop it simply flick the switch the other way!!

:laugh3:
Or, alternatively, don't pay your electricity bill! :laughabovepost:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: MikeDunn on February 09, 2015, 09:32:36 AM
 ::)

There's always one ... ... or two in this case  :P
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 09:36:43 AM
Well known fact that light travelling at 300,000 km/sec passes through glass of  beer,
slows down , then reverts to full speed on emerging from the glass. In the experiment
carried out recently it was all in a vacuum, though since university staff were there
hard to imagine no beer  involved........
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 09, 2015, 09:46:41 AM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 09:36:43 AM
Well known fact that light travelling at 300,000 km/sec passes through glass of  beer,
slows down , then reverts to full speed on emerging from the glass. In the experiment
carried out recently it was all in a vacuum, though since university staff were there
hard to imagine no beer  involved........
Where did you find that fact Agrippa - have you got a link to the experiment? If the experiment was in a vacuum how do they know that the beer slowed the light down? Perhaps after every experiment they drank a beer and by the time they'd finished things just seemed a bit slower!
:D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 10:09:31 AM
Probably cold lager goes through students at the speed of light.... :D

No wonder they can't manage on their grants/loans etc...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: NinOz on February 10, 2015, 01:56:13 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 07, 2015, 05:50:31 PM
Its probably because they were using low energy light bulbs which, as we all know, take ages to light up!!
:D
Actually they light up quite quickly.  It appears slow due to the fact that they release low energy light which is quite sluggish and takes longer to get out of the bulb.
Apparently low energy light is much cheaper to make and store in the bulbs which is why there is a push to make all lighting low energy,  government is in the pocket of major manufacturers.

CFJ
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 03:00:26 AM
And it is a proven fact that all electronic devices operate by the internal flow of smoke.
When the smoke escapes, the device stops working.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 07:11:34 AM
Quote from: NinOz on February 10, 2015, 01:56:13 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 07, 2015, 05:50:31 PM
Its probably because they were using low energy light bulbs which, as we all know, take ages to light up!!
:D
Actually they light up quite quickly.  It appears slow due to the fact that they release low energy light which is quite sluggish and takes longer to get out of the bulb.
Apparently low energy light is much cheaper to make and store in the bulbs which is why there is a push to make all lighting low energy,  government is in the pocket of major manufacturers.

CFJ

Wow - I didn't know that  :confused2:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 10, 2015, 07:20:47 AM
Quote from: NinOz on February 10, 2015, 01:56:13 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 07, 2015, 05:50:31 PM
Its probably because they were using low energy light bulbs which, as we all know, take ages to light up!!
:D
Actually they light up quite quickly.  It appears slow due to the fact that they release low energy light which is quite sluggish and takes longer to get out of the bulb.
Apparently low energy light is much cheaper to make and store in the bulbs which is why there is a push to make all lighting low energy,  government is in the pocket of major manufacturers.
Someone else who's fallen for the cunning government counter-propaganda. Surely everybody knows that so-called "light bulbs" are actually "dark suckers" which work by sucking the darkness out of the surrounding area? It's the forces of darkness in their black helicopters conspiring to push their low luminosity agenda upon us.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: NinOz on February 10, 2015, 11:24:26 AM
Hey, do any of you remember a forum member called "Railsquid".
Seem to remember a post, something about dark forces and gov propaganda, but nothing since.
Can't find a trace of such a member on the site.  Strange thing is, every time I do a search for the name I get booted from the site.

Well probably imagined it all;  old age, you know, does trick the mind. ??? :confused2:

CFJ
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 11:59:17 AM
You don't need to be afraid of the dark....


You need to be afraid of what is hiding in the dark   >:D :-X
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 12:01:45 PM
This is getting spooky.
To change the subject - here's another interesting fact.

Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

BECAUSE:

It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink.  To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host.  Both men would drink it simultaneously.  When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.
:beers:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: NeMo on February 10, 2015, 01:09:54 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 12:01:45 PM
Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

BECAUSE:

It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink.  To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host.  Both men would drink it simultaneously.  When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.
:beers:

A common story. But not necessarily true... or at least, without any evidence to support it.

http://www.snopes.com/food/rituals/clink.asp (http://www.snopes.com/food/rituals/clink.asp)

Cheers, NeMo
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Newportnobby on February 10, 2015, 01:15:03 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 09:36:43 AM
In the experiment carried out recently it was all in a vacuum, though since university staff were there hard to imagine no beer  involved........

Some might say university staff exist in a vacuum but I couldn't possibly comment :angel:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 10, 2015, 02:08:45 PM
Quote from: NinOz on February 10, 2015, 11:24:26 AM
Hey, do any of you remember a forum member called "Railsquid".
Seem to remember a post, something about dark forces and gov propaganda, but nothing since.
Can't find a trace of such a member on the site.  Strange thing is, every time I do a search for the name I get booted from the site.

Well probably imagined it all;  old age, you know, does trick the mind. ??? :confused2:

CFJ
Reports of my demise are premature, and there is no factual basis to the rumours that I'm merely a figment of your imagination.

Meanwhile, back on topic, the origins of the word "ketchup" are unclear, but the best theory is that it derives from a Chinese word.

I'll elaborate later but there's a hammering at the door
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 02:24:40 PM
Quote from: NeMo on February 10, 2015, 01:09:54 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 12:01:45 PM
Why do people clink their glasses before drinking a toast?

BECAUSE:

It used to be common for someone to try to kill an enemy by offering him a poisoned drink.  To prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary for a guest to pour a small amount of his drink into the glass of the host.  Both men would drink it simultaneously.  When a guest trusted his host, he would only touch or clink the host's glass with his own.
:beers:

A common story. But not necessarily true... or at least, without any evidence to support it.

http://www.snopes.com/food/rituals/clink.asp (http://www.snopes.com/food/rituals/clink.asp)

Cheers, NeMo
Interesting link Nemo but again not necessarily true without any evidence to support it. That's the problem with all urban myths - difficult to prove.
:beers:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 02:41:31 PM
It is a known fact that 93.74% of all facts and statistics quoted on internet forums are made up by the poster.

Now, where is that "irony" smiley??? ;)
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 02:44:45 PM
Quote from: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 02:41:31 PM
It is a known fact that 93.74% of all facts and statistics quoted on internet forums are made up by the poster.

Now, where is that "irony" smiley??? ;)
Errr.. Prove it.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 10, 2015, 03:13:25 PM
Jesus Christ was the first person to own a Honda saloon, but didn't  boast about it.

In John 's gospel he said "I did not speak of my own Accord".......
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 03:18:08 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 10, 2015, 03:13:25 PM
Jesus Christ was the first person to own a Honda saloon, but didn't  boast about it.

In John 's gospel he said "I did not speak of my own Accord".......
Instead of 'St John's Gospel' you really meant 'According to St John'. eh!!
:claphappy:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 10, 2015, 03:33:18 PM
Gospel Shmospel ,   it's still rock'n'roll to me..... :D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 03:57:55 PM
In a room of just 23 people there's a 50-50 chance of two people having the same birthday. In a room of 75 there's a 99.9% chance of two people matching.

Don't believe it??  google "The birthday paradox"!
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 10, 2015, 04:02:57 PM
Quote from: Tom U on February 10, 2015, 03:57:55 PM
In a room of just 23 people there's a 50-50 chance of two people having the same birthday. In a room of 75 there's a 99.9% chance of two people matching.

Don't believe it??  google "The birthday paradox"!
Now that is not an urban myth - that's statistics.

But didn't someone say there are lies, damn lies and statistics? Mmmm... proceed with caution!!
:confused2:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Ditape on February 10, 2015, 05:17:36 PM
As the Irish comedian Dave Allen once said 5% of all road accidents are caused by drink drivers so why don't you sober gits get off the road and leave us drunks alone. :P
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 10, 2015, 11:57:34 PM
Many moons ago I saw Dave Allen live at the King's Theatre in Glasgow .
with a group of workmates from a nearby office , we were literally crying
with laughter and literally means literally,
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 11, 2015, 01:26:56 AM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 04, 2015, 08:16:47 PM
And St John's Wood is the only London tube station which does not contain any
of the letters in the word "mackerel".

And Swindon Town are the only league team without any mackerel letters in their name too.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 11, 2015, 01:48:59 AM
Did you know that only 45% of the London Underground is actually underground?
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 11, 2015, 01:50:20 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on February 10, 2015, 01:15:03 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 09:36:43 AM
In the experiment carried out recently it was all in a vacuum, though since university staff were there hard to imagine no beer  involved........

Some might say university staff exist in a vacuum but I couldn't possibly comment :angel:

And that not one student actually knows what a vacuum cleaner is and even less know how to work one  :doh:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 11, 2015, 03:38:00 AM
Quote from: Trainfish on February 11, 2015, 01:50:20 AM
Quote from: newportnobby on February 10, 2015, 01:15:03 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 09, 2015, 09:36:43 AM
In the experiment carried out recently it was all in a vacuum, though since university staff were there hard to imagine no beer  involved........

Some might say university staff exist in a vacuum but I couldn't possibly comment :angel:

And that not one student actually knows what a vacuum cleaner is and even less know how to work one  :doh:
A vacuum cleaner is by definition pointless, as a vacuum is devoid of matter and therefore cannot ever be dirty.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Tom U on February 11, 2015, 04:26:00 AM
I sold my vacuum cleaner...well, it was only gathering dust.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
You're gonna have to explain that one? :confused2:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:39:39 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
You're gonna have to explain that one? :confused2:

Ok; most people have two legs. Some have only one and, bless them, some people have none.
The 'average' number of legs per person will, therefore, be something like 1.999999999 and nobody has 1.99999999 legs.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:41:19 PM
What was the first man-made object to move faster than the speed of sound?
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 12:43:46 PM
The average number of legs is something like 1.999 due  to one legged and no legged people.
In statistics this is where averages don't reflect the big picture. Imagine 10 people
in a pub , nine earn about £25,000- £30,000 a year and one is a footballer earning
£5,000, 000 this would make their average earnings about  £520,000 each,
clearly misleading.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 12:45:28 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:41:19 PM
What was the first man-made object to move faster than the speed of sound?

The tip of a whip, I believe,handy for flogging a dead horse...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 12:47:00 PM
Another interesting fact, the kilt was invented by an Englishman...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: PLD on February 11, 2015, 12:51:46 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
That depends on which "average" you use...

The arithmetical mean will indeed by 1.99 ish

The Mode (most commonly occurring value) will be 2.
The Median (middle value if you line everyone up in order) will also be two...

Classic GCSE level Maths question...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Bob Tidbury on February 11, 2015, 12:52:50 PM
The reason an Englishman invented the kilt was to freeze the nether regions of the Scots and so win the war.
Bob
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:59:50 PM
Quote from: PLD on February 11, 2015, 12:51:46 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
That depends on which "average" you use...

The arithmetical mean will indeed by 1.99 ish

The Mode (most commonly occurring value) will be 2.
The Median (middle value if you line everyone up in order) will also be two...

Classic GCSE level Maths question...

True - But I try not to let facts get in the way of a good gag
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 11, 2015, 01:01:39 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:39:39 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
You're gonna have to explain that one? :confused2:

Ok; most people have two legs. Some have only one and, bless them, some people have none.
The 'average' number of legs per person will, therefore, be something like 1.999999999 and nobody has 1.99999999 legs.

What if my big toe fell off? Would I then have 1.999999999999 legs? Also, in these parts it is rumoured that people from Calne have either 6 toes or webbed feet. Does this take them over the count of 2 legs?
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 01:06:53 PM
Another interesting fact, the comedian  Frank Carson shot and killed an Israeli
terrorist during the British administration in Palestine.

Hence the catchphrase "It's the way I fell them"..... :D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 11, 2015, 01:07:59 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
You're gonna have to explain that one? :confused2:
Given that there will be a small proportion of people with one or fewer legs, the average will be one-point-something, a value hard to express in legs. Unless you start counting people missing only part of one leg, then it becomes tricky defining what a fraction of a leg is - do you go by weight, or length, or volume? Definitive answers on the back of an post-paid envelope containing a five pound note as an administrative fee to the Railsquid Foundation for the Promotion of Trivia, 232a Freaky Woowoo Drive, Trumpton.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 01:16:47 PM
You can't mix discrete and continuous numbers, in other words you haven't a leg to stand on.... :D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 01:19:21 PM
The expressions;
"Fed up"
"Codger"
"Hoodwinked"
"Under the thumb"
"Baited Breath"
"Cadge"
"Larking Around"
"Feather in your cap"
"Booze"
"Gorge" and
"Rouse" are all derived from Falconry
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 01:22:14 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:39:39 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: FeelixTC on February 11, 2015, 12:31:46 PM
Nobody has the average number of legs.
You're gonna have to explain that one? :confused2:

Ok; most people have two legs. Some have only one and, bless them, some people have none.
The 'average' number of legs per person will, therefore, be something like 1.999999999 and nobody has 1.99999999 legs.
You could have slightly less than 2 legs if one is shorter than the other!
:D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: scotsoft on February 11, 2015, 01:52:42 PM
You lot have far too much time on your hands  :NGaugersRule:  :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Bob Tidbury on February 11, 2015, 01:52:42 PM
You missed out tenterhooks another falconry term.
Bob
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 01:57:43 PM
Quote from: scotsoft on February 11, 2015, 01:52:42 PM
You lot have far too much time on your hands  :NGaugersRule:  :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing: :smiley-laughing:
You're right scotsoft but what's more fun - sending daft posts or doing the washing up?
:laugh:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Steven B on February 11, 2015, 02:09:17 PM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on February 11, 2015, 01:52:42 PM
You missed out tenterhooks another falconry term.
Bob

Really? I thought it was a term from the woollen industry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenterhook (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenterhook)

Happy modelling.

Steven B.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 07:20:28 PM
I think it was mentioned in another topic something to do
with weaving etc.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 07:24:13 PM
Here's another one...

 
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

BECAUSE:

In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. 

If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

:beers:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: PLD on February 11, 2015, 08:58:37 PM
As your so knowledgable Bob; what is the proper term for someone who can't remember what he posted on a web forum 5 days earlier.  ;)  :D  :doh:  :P  :-[  :hmmm:  :uneasy:

Quote from: austinbob on February 06, 2015, 05:17:53 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

BECAUSE:

In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal.  If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.
:sleep:

Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 07:24:13 PM
Here's another one...

 
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?

BECAUSE:

In card games, it was once customary to pass an item, called a buck, from player to player to indicate whose turn it was to deal. 

If a player did not wish to assume the responsibility of dealing, he would 'pass the buck' to the next player.

:beers:

Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PLD on February 11, 2015, 08:58:37 PM
As your so knowledgable Bob; what is the proper term for someone who can't remember what he posted on a web forum 5 days earlier.  ;)  :D  :doh:  :P  :-[  :hmmm:  :uneasy:


Oops!! - I think its called N gauge early onset dementia PLD. (Or in my case late onset dementia). Remind me please.. What is N gauge anyway??
:-[
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Jon898 on February 11, 2015, 09:15:10 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 09:08:25 PM
Remind me please.. What is N gauge anyway??
:-[

Isn't it what Captain Piccard says when he wants the Enterprise to get going?

OK, I've already got my coat.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 09:17:26 PM
Quote from: Jon898 on February 11, 2015, 09:15:10 PM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 09:08:25 PM
Remind me please.. What is N gauge anyway??
:-[

Isn't it what Captain Piccard says when he wants the Enterprise to get going?

OK, I've already got my coat.

Hang your coat back up... I luv it!!
:laughabovepost:
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: DELETED on February 11, 2015, 09:35:10 PM
On a Star Trek theme I have used the term "jefferies tubes"several times and had engineers confused but convinced they were part of ship systems and perhaps benefited my attention.  I've also slipped in the term GNDN before and it went unnoticed because we have so many acronyms offshore, some folk are just scared to ask.  I'm not a trekkie, but a chance to milk a situation, is a chance missed (only when in good form of coarse!).


....sorry, bit OT.

Actually -having traced many cable systems in the past, GNDN is a very good acronym for many cable transits and old cable bundles onboard ships and workshops.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 09:50:09 PM
There's only one c in Picard according to the Starfleet personnel dept.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 09:56:27 PM
Quote from: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 09:50:09 PM
There's only one c in Picard according to the Starfleet personnel dept.
Ah! But it is well known that the Klingon spelling of Captain Picard is 'Captain Piccard'! If I had a Klingon keyboard I could prove that...
:D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Agrippa on February 11, 2015, 10:08:13 PM
If I had a Klingon keyboard I'd put it on Ebay and Trekkies
would bid squillions for it........... :D
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: DELETED on February 12, 2015, 12:03:11 AM
...fill yer klingon boots

(http://i.imgur.com/AfgKtYl.png)
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 12, 2015, 12:45:33 AM
Quote from: PLD on February 11, 2015, 08:58:37 PM
is the proper term for someone who can't remember what he posted on a web forum 5 days earlier.  ;)  :D 
Quote from: austinbob on February 06, 2015, 05:17:53 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?
I am so glad you posted that,
I was fearing for my sanity for a mo.
couldnt decide if I was suffering dejá vu
or a quantum entanglement via a wormhole :) !

It's time-travel Jim, but not as we thought we knew it.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 12, 2015, 01:22:32 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 07:24:13 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?
Who was the American Pres. who was famous for
saying "The buck stops here" ?
,
,
,
,
,
I thort I remembered it as Eisenhower,
but upon googling ( as one does to check one's memory!)
turns out it was Truman, but I dont remember him !
Seems he had a sign upon his desk.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 12, 2015, 07:56:03 AM
Quote from: MalcolmAL on February 12, 2015, 01:22:32 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 07:24:13 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?
Who was the American Pres. who was famous for
saying "The buck stops here" ?
,
,
,
,
,
I thort I remembered it as Eisenhower,
but upon googling ( as one does to ckeck one's memory!)
turns out it was Truman, but I dont remember him !
Seems he had a sign upon his desk.

A little known fact is that immediately post-WW2, due to personell shortages in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington DC area was plagued by feral male deer, which had been known to enter the grounds of the Whitehouse and even poke their heads inquisitively into buildings. Truman, a passionate hunter from Missouri, always kept a loaded shotgun under the presidential desk in case one of the animals ever made it into the innermost sanctum of the US political structure.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: MalcolmInN on February 12, 2015, 12:50:02 PM
Quote from: railsquid on February 12, 2015, 07:56:03 AM
in case one of the animals ever made it into the innermost sanctum
I know his frustration, they invade my inner sanctum aka. my veg patch.
I used to be able to grow my own veg without acres of wire mesh, no longer.
Normally I only see the white of their rear end as they scamper off but one day one of them kept circling and watching me
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/81786082/NG/Deer459.jpg)
very odd behviour I thought,
until I looked down near my feet and in amongst the prunings of a laurel hedge, a baby one !
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/81786082/NG/Fawn1.jpg)
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: PLD on February 12, 2015, 12:56:18 PM
Quote from: railsquid on February 12, 2015, 07:56:03 AM
Quote from: MalcolmAL on February 12, 2015, 01:22:32 AM
Quote from: austinbob on February 11, 2015, 07:24:13 PM
Why is shifting responsibility to someone else called 'passing the buck'?
Who was the American Pres. who was famous for
saying "The buck stops here" ?
,
,
,
,
,
I thort I remembered it as Eisenhower,
but upon googling ( as one does to ckeck one's memory!)
turns out it was Truman, but I dont remember him !
Seems he had a sign upon his desk.

A little known fact is that immediately post-WW2, due to personell shortages in the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Washington DC area was plagued by feral male deer, which had been known to enter the grounds of the Whitehouse and even poke their heads inquisitively into buildings. Truman, a passionate hunter from Missouri, always kept a loaded shotgun under the presidential desk in case one of the animals ever made it into the innermost sanctum of the US political structure.
So assuming he was a decent shot, several  Bucks were indeed stopped there...
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 12, 2015, 03:11:53 PM
Fantastic pictures Malcolm, thanks for those.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: railsquid on February 12, 2015, 03:31:43 PM
Quote from: Trainfish on February 12, 2015, 03:11:53 PM
Fantastic pictures Malcolm, thanks for those.
None of them in InterCity livery, I note.
Title: Re: Interesting facts
Post by: Trainfish on February 12, 2015, 04:29:21 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Unlike this of course

(http://i01.i.aliimg.com/photo/v8/103056123/Sell_AQUA_FRESH_Toothpaste.jpg)