One of the main reasons the internet was created (probably, it sure turned out that way) is so that people could waste their time, disconnecting from reality and enjoying something more trivial. Like fun facts.
If you’re in this camp, then you’re also in luck as the internet has provided again, this time around giving folks facts that sound fake but are absolutely true.
Scroll down to find the best submissions from this thread and vote on the ones you find most fascinating. Or most anything, really.
More Info: Reddit
#1
ScorpionX-123 said:
Fred Astaire had a life membership in the National Skateboard Society and broke his left wrist skateboarding at 78.
Fred Astaire had a life membership in the National Skateboard Society and broke his left wrist skateboarding at 78.
_austinm replied:
Was he skating down Astaire?
Was he skating down Astaire?
rush87y replied:
I'm a Fred so.
I'm a Fred so.
Report
170points
#2
_Light_The_Way said:
Hippos kill at least 500 people a year.
Hippos kill at least 500 people a year.
things_most_foul replied:
I’ve traveled a bit. The only time I’ve seen locals get scared of wildlife was in the Okavango Delta when we encountered a pair of Hippo ears sticking out of the water.
I’ve traveled a bit. The only time I’ve seen locals get scared of wildlife was in the Okavango Delta when we encountered a pair of Hippo ears sticking out of the water.
MC936 replied:
We were out there camping years ago, it was absolutely stunning. Not a cloud in the sky, hundreds of miles away from any major light pollution and I still haven't made peace with the fact that I'll probably never see the night sky like that again. Went to bed, woke up needing to pee later on. Got my boots on and headtorch, unzipped the tent and was face to face with an adult hippo about 10-12ft away.. didn't need to pee after that, went back to bed and tried to ignore what I saw.
We were out there camping years ago, it was absolutely stunning. Not a cloud in the sky, hundreds of miles away from any major light pollution and I still haven't made peace with the fact that I'll probably never see the night sky like that again. Went to bed, woke up needing to pee later on. Got my boots on and headtorch, unzipped the tent and was face to face with an adult hippo about 10-12ft away.. didn't need to pee after that, went back to bed and tried to ignore what I saw.
Report
118points
#3
Robinkc1 said:
1/8 pregnancies end in miscarriage.
1/8 pregnancies end in miscarriage.
Edit: You guys keep messaging me with 1/4, 1/3, and a bunch of other numbers so let me clarify… 1/8 of known pregnancies end in a miscarriage. When you factor in unknown, it goes up. There are articles and studies done that can articulate that better than I can, but anyone who is messaging me with nothing more than a number? Feel free to argue amongst yourselves.
twinkedgelord replied:
Technically it's more. A woman in her fertile years having regular unprotected sex with someone who can impregnate her is going to have multiple miscarriages. It's relatively common for fertilised eggs to go away with menstruation.
Technically it's more. A woman in her fertile years having regular unprotected sex with someone who can impregnate her is going to have multiple miscarriages. It's relatively common for fertilised eggs to go away with menstruation.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN CONTRACEPTION IS OPTIONAL. WRAP IT UP.
101points
#4
fantawillrule said:
Adding salt to pineapple makes it taste sweeter, gonna try this because i just learned this and I don’t like pineapple so maybe I’ll like it if it’s sweeter.
Adding salt to pineapple makes it taste sweeter, gonna try this because i just learned this and I don’t like pineapple so maybe I’ll like it if it’s sweeter.
sbarto replied:
I put salt on watermelon. It really does enhance the taste.
I put salt on watermelon. It really does enhance the taste.
pumfr replied:
Salt on watermelon is good, but salt on cantaloupe (or muskmelon) is AMAZING.
Salt on watermelon is good, but salt on cantaloupe (or muskmelon) is AMAZING.
SeeYouSpaceCowboy--- replied:
This is why prosciutto and melon is an insanely good combo.
This is why prosciutto and melon is an insanely good combo.
TJeffersonsBlackKid replied:
I put lemon juice on watermelon. Changed me life.
I put lemon juice on watermelon. Changed me life.
92points
#5
Confident-Juice-7 said:
The average number of human skeletons inside the human body isn't 1.
The average number of human skeletons inside the human body isn't 1.
BlueBabyCat666 replied:
That thought makes me uncomfortable for some reason. Ik this is because of pregnancies but still, creepy fact lol.
That thought makes me uncomfortable for some reason. Ik this is because of pregnancies but still, creepy fact lol.
Triceracops0115 replied:
Think about those people that find out later in life they partially absorbed a twin in the womb.
Think about those people that find out later in life they partially absorbed a twin in the womb.
moonpie269 repliedL
"I now have the power of a grown man and an infant"
"I now have the power of a grown man and an infant"
OrangutanBeard replied:
There are also people who are born missing bones, or who have lost them in accidents. Technically, they don't have a complete skeleton.
There are also people who are born missing bones, or who have lost them in accidents. Technically, they don't have a complete skeleton.
87points
#6
algomasuperior said:
Men are seven times more likely to leave their partner after their partner is diagnosed with cancer than women are.
Men are seven times more likely to leave their partner after their partner is diagnosed with cancer than women are.
Dizzy-Ad2333 replied:
Check if this was true and it is. source I want to emphasize that most people – regardless of gender – do not leave their partners when they get sick.
Check if this was true and it is. source I want to emphasize that most people – regardless of gender – do not leave their partners when they get sick.
MattieShoes replied:
1 in 5 vs 1 in 34... Pretty stark difference.
1 in 5 vs 1 in 34... Pretty stark difference.
weednumberhaha replied:
To be more precise, that study reported:
To be more precise, that study reported:
"Women composed 53% of the patient population. Divorce or separation occurred at a rate similar to that reported in the literature (11.6%). There was, however, a greater than 6-fold increase in risk after diagnosis when the affected spouse was the woman (20.8% vs 2.9%; P < .001). Female gender was found to be the strongest predictor of separation or divorce in each cohort. Marriage duration at the time of illness was also correlated with separation among brain tumor patients (P = .0001). Patients with brain tumors who were divorced or separated were more likely to be hospitalized, and less likely to participate in a clinical trial, receive multiple treatment regimens, complete cranial irradiation, or die at home (P < .0001)."
In plain English, there's seemingly a ~80% chance of staying together when the sick partner is a woman, but the chances of staying together improve to ~97% when the sick partner is a man. Ughhhhhhhhhhh
83points
#7
bolivar-shagnasty said:
The Tyrannosaurus rex lived closer in time to the founding of Waffle House than it did to Stegosaurus.
The Tyrannosaurus rex lived closer in time to the founding of Waffle House than it did to Stegosaurus.
You guys can stop with the Cleopatra pyramids fact. It’s been done to death. Might even say it’s extinct.
valtl replied:
A picture with a T-rex riding a scooter while holding an iPhone is more accurate than him fighting a Stegosaurus.
A picture with a T-rex riding a scooter while holding an iPhone is more accurate than him fighting a Stegosaurus.
baconmaverick replied:
Based on your comment and the one that you replied to I'm starting to think my Christmas sweater of Santa riding a stegosaurus might not be historically accurate.
Based on your comment and the one that you replied to I'm starting to think my Christmas sweater of Santa riding a stegosaurus might not be historically accurate.
AtDawnWeDEUSVULT replied:
No, Santa is eternal. Who do you think brought presents to the little stego's on Christmas??
No, Santa is eternal. Who do you think brought presents to the little stego's on Christmas??
Report
79points
#8
Gubble_Buppie said:
A man, Michel Lotito, ATE an entire airplane. It took him 2 years.
A man, Michel Lotito, ATE an entire airplane. It took him 2 years.
dolly241 replied:
His parents, feeding him as a baby: Here comes the airplane!
Michel Lotito: challenge accepted
His parents, feeding him as a baby: Here comes the airplane!
Michel Lotito: challenge accepted
BrisklyBrusque replied:
“Lotito holds the record for the 'strangest diet' in the Guinness Book of Records. He was awarded a brass plaque by the publishers to commemorate his abilities. He devoured his award.” 💀
“Lotito holds the record for the 'strangest diet' in the Guinness Book of Records. He was awarded a brass plaque by the publishers to commemorate his abilities. He devoured his award.” 💀
Report
78points
#9
Ok_Security_8657 said:
10th US President John Tyler, who was born in 1790, currently has a living grandson.
10th US President John Tyler, who was born in 1790, currently has a living grandson.
PCoda replied:
"Born in 1928, Harrison Ruffin Tyler is currently ninety-four years old, and resides in the enduring homeland of the Tyler clan – the state of Virginia. Apr 10, 2023"
"Born in 1928, Harrison Ruffin Tyler is currently ninety-four years old, and resides in the enduring homeland of the Tyler clan – the state of Virginia. Apr 10, 2023"
[...]
"Tyler’s first wife Letitia died while he was in office in 1842. She was the first presidential spouse out of three who would die in the White House. Two years later in 1844 when Tyler was 54 he married Julia Gardiner and had seven children with her, one of which being Lyon Gardiner Tyler (1853-1935). Lyon was born when Tyler was 63.[...] Lyon also had a child at an unreasonably old age; after his first wife Anne died in 1921, Lyon married Sue Ruffin who was thirty-five years his junior. In 1928 when Lyon was 75, Sue gave birth to Harrison Ruffin Tyler, who lives to this day."
I'll be damned.
Report
77points
#10
Raccoonisms said:
Martin Luther king jr and Anne Frank were the same age. King just lived longer. (Timelines f me up).
Martin Luther king jr and Anne Frank were the same age. King just lived longer. (Timelines f me up).
ducksinthepool replied:
So was Bob Newhart, and he’s still alive. It’s wild that these historical figures still could be alive today.
So was Bob Newhart, and he’s still alive. It’s wild that these historical figures still could be alive today.
TheNorselord replied:
One might argue that if Anne Frank was alive today, she wouldn’t have been a historical figure.
One might argue that if Anne Frank was alive today, she wouldn’t have been a historical figure.
DrunkOnRedCordial replied:
She would always have been a talented writer, and she would have had an amazing story, even as a survivor. So maybe not an iconic figure, but she still could have made a name for herself.
She would always have been a talented writer, and she would have had an amazing story, even as a survivor. So maybe not an iconic figure, but she still could have made a name for herself.
Report
77points
#11
ThingFromEarth said:
The reason there's not a lot of Egyptian mummy's is because the British elite ate them in the early 1800s due to a misunderstanding that eating them had healing properties.
The reason there's not a lot of Egyptian mummy's is because the British elite ate them in the early 1800s due to a misunderstanding that eating them had healing properties.
Known-Pop-8355 replied:
Not just eat them, but they would also mix parts with their beauty creams, makeup and other medicines and etc. it was INSANE.
Not just eat them, but they would also mix parts with their beauty creams, makeup and other medicines and etc. it was INSANE.
Voynichmanuscript408
They made a specific color of paint with it to replied:
They made a specific color of paint with it to replied:
MrsMalvora replied:
And had mummy unwrapping parties.
And had mummy unwrapping parties.
whaletacochamp replied:
Sometimes when I’m putting together some mediocre ass party I think about all the ABSURD parties that have happened throughout history and get a little sad. Like my party will never be as wild as a mummy unwrapping party.
Sometimes when I’m putting together some mediocre ass party I think about all the ABSURD parties that have happened throughout history and get a little sad. Like my party will never be as wild as a mummy unwrapping party.
Voynichmanuscript408 replied:
Hopefully less curses being unleashed at your parties.
Hopefully less curses being unleashed at your parties.
Report
77points
#12
Alfith replied:
Wombat poop is square.
Wombat poop is square.
Otherwise_Window replied:
Cubic, actually. They poo in three dimensions.
Cubic, actually. They poo in three dimensions.
Ok_Time8560 replied:
We all poop in three dimensions but some of us never truly live.
We all poop in three dimensions but some of us never truly live.
Report
64points
#13
LlhamaPaluza said:
That the last execution by guillotine in France was in 1977 the same year that Star Wars premiered on movie theathers.
That the last execution by guillotine in France was in 1977 the same year that Star Wars premiered on movie theathers.
OldMastodon5363 replied:
Hopefully he got to see Star Wars before being guillotined.
Hopefully he got to see Star Wars before being guillotined.
thesystem21 replied:
And was witnessed by sir Christopher Lee, who would later go on to be in a star wars movie.
And was witnessed by sir Christopher Lee, who would later go on to be in a star wars movie.
skebe replied:
Yeah no, Lee witnessed the last *public* execution in France, back in 1939.
Yeah no, Lee witnessed the last *public* execution in France, back in 1939.
thesystem21 replied:
This is correct. I got my facts mixed up, I am ashamed by my inaccuracies.
This is correct. I got my facts mixed up, I am ashamed by my inaccuracies.
However, still cool that Sir Christopher Lee saw the last public guillotine, the last private one was when star wars came out, then he was in a star wars as a person who was decapitated.
Report
60points
#14
CountRoloff said:
Orcas evolved from a land mammal.
Orcas evolved from a land mammal.
jgiffin replied:
Also whales and dolphins have a more recent common ancestor with deer than they do with any fish in the sea.
Also whales and dolphins have a more recent common ancestor with deer than they do with any fish in the sea.
_Steven_Seagal_ replied:
Also with humans and the platypus, as we're all mammals.
Also with humans and the platypus, as we're all mammals.
brieflyamicus replied:
The variant of this that I tell people: Camels are more closely related to whales than they are to horses.
The variant of this that I tell people: Camels are more closely related to whales than they are to horses.
jgiffin replied:
Yep, any even- toed ungulates! Also includes giraffes and boar.
Yep, any even- toed ungulates! Also includes giraffes and boar.
Report
58points
#15
JackCooper_7274 said:
More people are killed by vending machines than shark attacks every year.
More people are killed by vending machines than shark attacks every year.
InevitableAd9683 replied:
To be fair, if people made a habit of shaking sharks back and forth because dammit I paid for the Snickers now GIVE IT TO ME YOU PIECE OF [TRASH]
To be fair, if people made a habit of shaking sharks back and forth because dammit I paid for the Snickers now GIVE IT TO ME YOU PIECE OF [TRASH]
Sorry, what was I saying?
CyptidProductions replied:
I forget what's it called, but that's actually a form of deceptive statistics caused by the potential for one event being more commonly created than the other so you can't directly compare the level of danger
I forget what's it called, but that's actually a form of deceptive statistics caused by the potential for one event being more commonly created than the other so you can't directly compare the level of danger
Ie: people are near vending machines far more often then they are sharks so there's more opportunity for people to die that way on any given day
56points
#16
UsedToHaveThisName said:
Cleopatra lived closer to the time of the first moon landing than to when the ancient pyramids were built.
Cleopatra lived closer to the time of the first moon landing than to when the ancient pyramids were built.
15jtaylor443 replied:
I know this is true, I've heard and verified it myself dozens of times, but a part of my brain is always floored with this fact. Like, it sounds crazy, but it's true.
I know this is true, I've heard and verified it myself dozens of times, but a part of my brain is always floored with this fact. Like, it sounds crazy, but it's true.
the_c_is_silent replied:
I think people get tricked because of technological advancements. The 19th, 20th, and 21st century alone advanced more in technology than the previous 5k years.
I think people get tricked because of technological advancements. The 19th, 20th, and 21st century alone advanced more in technology than the previous 5k years.
Like it only took 50 years to go from first plane flight to literally sent a rocket to the moon.
The look and feel of 2500 BCE doesn't feel that different to 33 BCE. But even something like the 1950s feels a hundred generations removed from 2023.
Report
55points
#17
AndyFromTheWPC said:
Goats like to stand on trees.
Goats like to stand on trees.
blue4029 replied:
Goats can defy gravity to walk up mountains
Goats can defy gravity to walk up mountains
Seriously, look up pictures of mountain goats. they can stand on mountains without any visible foot-holds.
Loko8765 replied:
Hell, they can climb dams.
Hell, they can climb dams.
chuffberry replied:
I once watched a goat fall out of a tree. I was really worried because it was a pretty tall tree and he landed on his side, but he just stiffly walked it off. I still wonder about that goat because, again, it was a pretty huge tree and he just pancaked.
I once watched a goat fall out of a tree. I was really worried because it was a pretty tall tree and he landed on his side, but he just stiffly walked it off. I still wonder about that goat because, again, it was a pretty huge tree and he just pancaked.
Report
54points
#18
MeruFaw said:
4300 years old: The oldest pine tree in the world stands in the Inyo national forest, California. But no one knows what the tree looks like, where it is exactly, or if it really exists because the government keeps its location a secret.
4300 years old: The oldest pine tree in the world stands in the Inyo national forest, California. But no one knows what the tree looks like, where it is exactly, or if it really exists because the government keeps its location a secret.
SciGuy013 replied:
And also because the older one was killed when a sample was taken from it.
And also because the older one was killed when a sample was taken from it.
dizzley replied:
I heard that the scientist who took the sample was completely mortified. I can only imagine.
I heard that the scientist who took the sample was completely mortified. I can only imagine.
Audiman09 replied:
This is accurate, he was unfortunately blamed for the demise of the tree, a bit unfairly. I heard the story on an Ologies podcast(highly recommend the podcast in general) where Allie hosted a tree expert(I forget the technical "ologist" name) and he described the story of when the oldest tree on earth was having a sample taken from it by some guy. The tool used to take the sample got stuck, so he tried another tool ending in the same result. I can't remember the exact specifics but if I recall he wasn't aware that this was indeed the oldest tree in the world and the damage ended up being enough to be the demise of the tree somehow.
This is accurate, he was unfortunately blamed for the demise of the tree, a bit unfairly. I heard the story on an Ologies podcast(highly recommend the podcast in general) where Allie hosted a tree expert(I forget the technical "ologist" name) and he described the story of when the oldest tree on earth was having a sample taken from it by some guy. The tool used to take the sample got stuck, so he tried another tool ending in the same result. I can't remember the exact specifics but if I recall he wasn't aware that this was indeed the oldest tree in the world and the damage ended up being enough to be the demise of the tree somehow.
Edit: to clarify that the guest on the podcast was not the same person that hurt the tree
SukieTawdrey replied:
Dendrologist! That one and the one about bats are my favorite episodes.
Dendrologist! That one and the one about bats are my favorite episodes.
Report
50points
#19
onefreckl said:
There are only 25 Blimps left on Earth.
There are only 25 Blimps left on Earth.
OrangutanBeard replied:
This makes me sad.
This makes me sad.
Hey there... blimpy boy... flying in the sky... so fancy... free....
[Sobs]
onefreckl replied:
And only half of them are operable. If blimps had feelings…I wonder if they’re lonely.
And only half of them are operable. If blimps had feelings…I wonder if they’re lonely.
JetLag_550 replied:
And I get to see one every summer! They fly one around during the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh, WI. Also get to see a bunch of WW2 planes and shit. I highly recommend going if you get the chance.
And I get to see one every summer! They fly one around during the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh, WI. Also get to see a bunch of WW2 planes and shit. I highly recommend going if you get the chance.
memesforbismarck replied:
Lucky you. I dream about getting to Oshkosh one day, but its too far away for me. Best I can do is Duxford airshow which is cancelled until they find a new location too.
Lucky you. I dream about getting to Oshkosh one day, but its too far away for me. Best I can do is Duxford airshow which is cancelled until they find a new location too.
Report
47points
#20
When our hands and fingers get like older people's when we stay in water for too long, it doesn't mean we have to get out of the water.
Fingers and hands become like that to help us grab objects when wet or underwater.
[Writer's Note: while kinda sorta true—the grip does improve but nobody's sure if it's the intended evolutionary purpose—but the primary reason why it does that is because the outermost layer of the skin swells up as it absorbs the water. Since it's attached to the skin underneath, rather tightly, this way it compensates for the increased skin area.]
Report
43points