[Misc] The official “Well I never knew that” thread

[Blue3]

China?
Russia?

Was all of South America influenced post Napoleon?

Not necessarily but Russia was invaded and in turn invaded France where cultural exchange is still evident for example Russian Cossacks sitting in Paris would be shouting for more beer which is пиво pronounced Pivo but with the course accent it sounded Bistro and the name stuck

The Latin American Wars of Independence, which took place during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, were deeply influenced by the American and French Revolutions and resulted in the creation of a number of independent countries in Latin America.

 

[clapham_gull]

Apparently a lot of old folk (including in my family) believe that the reason why the Royal Pavilion wasn't bombed during the war was because Hitler had designated it his English residence once the AXIS triumphed.

Of course, there is absolutely no evidence to support this claim.

Hitler would have had so many homes. Du Cane court in Balham (google it) is also one of such residences.

The myth comes from the fact (I think) it does very unfortunately resemble a Swastika from the air.

 

[Bodian]

View attachment 195194

And how it used to be when I were a lad

 

[Cotton Socks]

Having played cricket since I was 12 I found out yesterday, thanks to Only Connect, that cricket pitches should be laid on a north / south line so that the batsmen don’t get the sun in their eyes in the evening.

I got the connection correct too, thanks to knowing that dogs poo north to south when there are normal magnetic conditions.

I have had a dog for three years and been a cricket fan for over 40.

That's got to be a load of crap. I'm taking a compass out for the next few days & I'll report back! What does 'normal magnetic conditions' mean? That sounds like a get out clause for when a dog lines up in the wrong direction!

 

[Bodian]

That's got to be a load of crap. I'm taking a compass out for the next few days & I'll report back! What does 'normal magnetic conditions' mean? That sounds like a get out clause for when a dog lines up in the wrong direction!

Dogs Prefer to Poo Along a North-South Axis

Researchers have found that dogs use Earth’s magnetic fields to align their bowel and bladder movements - and they prefer to relieve themselves along a north-south axis.

www.sciencealert.com

Animal magnetism: Why dogs do their business pointing north

Dogs align north-south when defecating, foxes pounce north-east, and that’s just the start. Where does this magnetic sense come from – and do we have it too?

www.newscientist.com

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A scientific study has revealed that dogs adapt their excremental habits to be aligned with the earth’s axis

www.theguardian.com

 

[Cotton Socks]

Dogs Prefer to Poo Along a North-South Axis

Researchers have found that dogs use Earth’s magnetic fields to align their bowel and bladder movements - and they prefer to relieve themselves along a north-south axis.

www.sciencealert.com

Animal magnetism: Why dogs do their business pointing north

Dogs align north-south when defecating, foxes pounce north-east, and that’s just the start. Where does this magnetic sense come from – and do we have it too?

www.newscientist.com

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A scientific study has revealed that dogs adapt their excremental habits to be aligned with the earth’s axis

www.theguardian.com

Well that's spoilt a way of making walking the dog more interesting!

 

[Dun Lurkin]

Couple of things I learned the other night (don't know if they are actually true though).

1) Old Boat Corner at the top of Ditchling Road was named after an old boat dumped there for use as a shepherds hut.

2) The expression 'Don't spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar' is not nautical, but refers to the practise of old time shepherds covering wounds caused during shearing with a small amount of tar on their sheep, which they referred to as ship.

 

[anygivensunday]

I always find random geography facts fascinating.

Like the fact that Edinburgh which is on Scotland's east coast, is further west than Bristol.

 

[Guinness Boy]

That's got to be a load of crap. I'm taking a compass out for the next few days & I'll report back! What does 'normal magnetic conditions' mean? That sounds like a get out clause for when a dog lines up in the wrong direction!

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A scientific study has revealed that dogs adapt their excremental habits to be aligned with the earth’s axis

www.theguardian.com

Mine was lined up last night.

 

[jcdenton08]

This thread has turned dog shit.

 

[ROSM]

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A scientific study has revealed that dogs adapt their excremental habits to be aligned with the earth’s axis

www.theguardian.com

Mine was lined up last night.

I too have been checking since I read this and it's spot on.

So I turned this experiment further and now I think I've worked out why I prefer the downstairs loo in my house to the ensuite upstairs. I must have canine tendencies

 

[Bakero]

Not necessarily but Russia was invaded and in turn invaded France where cultural exchange is still evident for example Russian Cossacks sitting in Paris would be shouting for more beer which is пиво pronounced Pivo but with the course accent it sounded Bistro and the name stuck

This rang a bell but I just checked and it turns out it's a twist on a popular folk etymology. The story goes that the Russian soldiers would shout "Bistro! Bistro!", which means quickly.

However, etymologists believe it's more likely to have come from a dialect word bistraud, which means little servant and originally referred to the innkeeper. Alternatively, it comes from bistrouille , meaning cheap booze.

 

[pasty]

As Westminster Bridge crosses the Thames nearest the House of Commons, it is predominantly green to match the commons leather seats.

Lambeth Bridge crosses the Thames nearest the House of Lords, so is predominantly red to match the Lords leather seats.

 

[boik]

Dogs defecate in accordance with earth's magnetic field, research finds

A scientific study has revealed that dogs adapt their excremental habits to be aligned with the earth’s axis

www.theguardian.com

Mine was lined up last night.

My dog has 2 favourite places. 1 is approximately n/s but the other is definitely e/w with nothing electrical or metallic for some distance.

 

[nickbrighton]

Today I learned that Bristol Rovers nickname is The Gas -

[Football] - Personalised number plates

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dvla-issues-statement-offensive-rovers-9864292?gaa_at=la&gaa_n=AVINqTy-L137Ej857rXVlgZdK8MhvXG2gwpW15EBoDzAb_9xd3GeLqXWIoFiE3cjm4E%3D&gaa_ts=6788697e&utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqGQgwKhAIACoHCAowt8_7CjD8w_QCMLyZ5gMwpa...

www.northstandchat.com

 

[Bodian]

I too have been checking since I read this and it's spot on.

So I turned this experiment further and now I think I've worked out why I prefer the downstairs loo in my house to the ensuite upstairs. I must have canine tendencies

1 - closer to the outdoors and our original toiletting habits
2 - away from the partner.

 

[GJN1]

Hitler would have had so many homes. Du Cane court in Balham (google it) is also one of such residences.

The myth comes from the fact (I think) it does very unfortunately resemble a Swastika from the air.

See also Rochdale Town Hall.

 

[Blue3]

This rang a bell but I just checked and it turns out it's a twist on a popular folk etymology. The story goes that the Russian soldiers would shout "Bistro! Bistro!", which means quickly.

However, etymologists believe it's more likely to have come from a dialect word bistraud, which means little servant and originally referred to the innkeeper. Alternatively, it comes from bistrouille , meaning cheap booze.

thank you for the correction

 

[The Clamp]

I learnt about 5 mins ago that the game Cluedo was based on and invented in a hotel called Tudor Close in Rottingdean.

Tudor Close became well known in the 1930’s as a hotel that Hollywood’s A-List favoured. Erol Flynn and the like stayed there.

Who knew!

 

[Stato]

Today I learned that Bristol Rovers nickname is The Gas -

[Football] - Personalised number plates

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/dvla-issues-statement-offensive-rovers-9864292?gaa_at=la&gaa_n=AVINqTy-L137Ej857rXVlgZdK8MhvXG2gwpW15EBoDzAb_9xd3GeLqXWIoFiE3cjm4E%3D&gaa_ts=6788697e&utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqGQgwKhAIACoHCAowt8_7CjD8w_QCMLyZ5gMwpa...

www.northstandchat.com

I knew that they were referred to as 'The Gas' in a derogatory way by City fans because of the gasworks next to their old ground, Eastville. I dodn't know that they'd reclaimed it. Perhaps it was homesickness from that decade in Bath.