Surprising discoveries
A round-up.
A confluence of deadlines, midterms, and miscellaneous other commitments is hitting me like a steam train this week. In light of that, here is a non-standard post listing some of the facts that surprised me this week.
Normal programming will resume next time.
There are only eight species of bear. They are: sloth bear; brown bear; black bear; Asian black bear; sun bear; panda; polar bear; spectacled bear. The other bears are more closely related to each other than they are to pandas. Paddington is a spectacled bear.
The etymology of the word “bear” differs wildly in European languages, and there is a popular theory (possibly true) that it’s a euphemism meaning “wild animal.” (Saying “bear” was — again maybe — taboo. You might summon one!) In various places, the word for “bear” has meant honeyeater, brown one, shaggy fur, and destroyer.
First names that derive from “bear” include Arthur; Bernard; Bjorn; and Ursula.
The CIA allegedly trains spies not to lean — a dead giveaway for being American. Europeans stand more squarely on their feet.
Ukrainian war propaganda posters portray Russians as orcs and sometimes zombies.
The Austro-Hungarian Army had exciting crimson trousers.
If someone called you a “knut” (not a spelling mistake) in 1913, you were probably a frightfully hedonistic, unmarried man who favoured a floppy hat, “bright socks, and indolent demeanour.” The good ones hung up their lavender gloves and enlisted.
Algeria is the largest country in Africa.
It is technically legal to keep a meerkat as a pet in the United Kingdom. According to my source (whose partner has two [!]), hand-reared ones are quite affectionate towards their carers but can be very aggressive to people they don’t know. Non-domesticated ones are pretty unbothered either way.
The dish Brits call katsu curry has essentially nothing to do with katsu.
There’s some suggestion that being vaccinated against shingles, a fairly nasty illness caused by the chickenpox virus, may reduce your risk of dementia.
London buses are red because of a branding decision by the London Motor Omnibus Company in 1905. Before London had buses, it had horse buses.
Olivia Colman is in a new Burberry ad … as the lady at the fish and chip shop.
Natasha
P.S. Just one recipe this week: Di San Xian, a Northeastern Chinese stir-fry that means “three earthly bounties.” Good for vegetarians. See you next time.
P.P.S. It would please and amuse me if you could please send me your favourite fact. You can just respond to this email.
Gonna be inflicting that CIA leaning fact on any person who has the misfortune to be seated next to me for the next few years.