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Friday, July 5, 2013

15 Interesting FYI Trivia

From the well-profiled Barbie, to a chess game, to the Three Wise Monkeys down to the popular game Monopoly, here is a list of FYI trivia.

Vodka

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Besides being a great drink to serve during special occasions, do you know that vodka has other uses? You can keep your glasses clean and shiny by wiping them off with a piece of soft cloth moistened with vodka. If you want to have a healthier scalp then add a small amount of vodka to your shampoo, the alcohol removes toxins from your hair. And if you’re annoyed with your foot’s odor, then a good remedy is to wash your foot with vodka.

Coca Cola

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Speaking of Coca Cola, do you know that besides being a good thirst quencher, this popular soft drink has other useful uses? An ingredient in Coke, citric acid is a good stain remover. Now, you don’t have to worry about your toilet bowl, just use Coca Cola to clean it. You can also use Coke to get rid off corrosion from your battery terminal. One more useful application of Coca Cola, it is also perfect for loosening a rusted bolt.

Barcode

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Are you wondering where the “Bar-code” was first ever use? The honor goes to Wrigley’s Gum. For all we know, the Bar-code is a machine-readable representation of information that are read by bar-code readers.

Checkmate

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For those who play chess, Do you know the true meaning of the word “Checkmate”? It is Persian for “the king is dead” or “the king is defeated.” If you are unfamiliar with chess, it is a game for nobles and upper class several centuries ago. This is also reflected in the names of the pieces – king, queen, knight, etc.

Japanese Bow

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“When in Rome, do what the Romans do” as the saying goes, is a good thing to follow when you’re in a different country. But do you know that observing traditions can be sometimes dangerous. Take the case of the Japanese bow, in Tokyo alone, records showed that more than 20 people have either suffered serious skull injuries or died –all because of following the customary local greeting of bowing!

Windmill

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Windmills are familiar fixture in Netherlands, but do you know that the numbers of these structures, which functions primarily to pump water have declined considerably. From a high of more than 10,000, it is now down to about 1000 windmills. Another one for the book, windmills always turn counter-clockwise, but not those in Ireland!

Sealed with a Kiss

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Do you know that the X’s we put at the end of letters to show kisses first appeared during the medieval period. To show their allegiance to God and the king, nobles such as; lords, earls, duke, etc. put a cross which they kissed before sealing important letters and documents. Over the years though, crosses turned into X’s.

Barbie

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Many will agree with me, if I say Barbie is the most popular doll in the world. Here are the facts that will back up my claim: Barbie is the only doll that has a full name, her name Barbara Millicent Roberts! Add to this is her impressive profile: she resides the fictional town of Willows. Her parents are George and Margaret Roberts and has five siblings.

Wow! Even her school credential is something to think about: she has attended secondary studies at Manhattan International High School and Willows High School in New York City. Not even her romantic life was spared — in 2004 Barbie and her long-time beau Ken had decided to call it quit, but it was announced that in February 2006 they were back in each others arms.

Monopoly

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Do you know that the record for the longest Monopoly game lasted for 70 days non-stop. Whew! What an accomplishment. The inventor of Monopoly based the colored properties on the board on actual places in Atlantic City.

The Three Wise Monkeys

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Are you familiar with the Japanese graphic maxim “The three wise man” that was made famous during the 17th century by a by carving over a door of the Tosho-gu shrine. If so, then can you give me the names of the three wise monkeys? Can’t recall their names, then here they are: Mizaru (see no evil), Mikazaru (hear no evil), and Mazaru (speak no evil).

Piggy Bank

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Don’t be surprised, if I tell you that the piggy bank’s name was not derived from its traditional shape; but vice versa. During the Middle English period, there was a type of clay called “pygg” that was used for making jars, which people often used for saving money. By the 1800, the spelling of “pygg” changed and so the phrase “pygg jar” evolved to “pig bank.”

Monotremes

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Have you heard of the term monotremes ? They are an order of animals that both lay eggs and breast-feed their offspring. To date, the platypus and the echidna are the only two remaining species of this order. Monotremes are also unique mammals for they are capable of electroreception (recognizing electrical impulses with their bodies).

Checkmate!

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This is another trivia for chess players. What is the shortest way to achieve a checkmate? Theoretically, you need only two moves! It is called in chess lingo “Fool’s Mate” and follows this line: 1. g4 e5; 2. f4 Qh4 checkmate.

Toilet Paper

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Have you ever thought how the toilet paper evolved? The Chinese Emperor during the 14th century, first produced the toilet paper for their own use. It was made in 2×3 feet (60×90 cm) sheets. In the United States, the first packaged toilet paper was produced in 1857 by Joseph C. Gayetty. In 1897, Scott Paper Company produced the first toilet paper on a roll. “Splinter-free” toilet paper was advertised by Northern Tissue in 1935. Later, many other improvements to the product (such as making it two-ply) were marketed to the public.

Hershey’s Kisses

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Do you know where the name Hershey’s Kisses originated? Workers at the factory plant have noticed that the machine that produces them seems like it is kissing the conveyor belt in the process. So in 1907, Hershey’s Kisses was introduced to the market with several varieties to choose from including Peanut butter, Caramel, Milk Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Chocolate Mint, etc.

29 comments:

  1. Sanbiki no saru! I often take photos of my three sarus like that (will leave the link as my url). :)

    And of course, I always use Fool's Mate as well as the 3-move-checkmate when playing with newbies :) Thanks for compiling!

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  2. Wow, I would like to try the vodka and coke technique.

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  3. I am more concern of the Coca-cola. Just imagine we drink, and for all we know it can remove rust. Very acidic.

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  4. These are fun FYI Papaleng :-) My kids and their big sistah and their niece had a blast playing monopoly when they were here visiting from Florida :-) Can I have some of those delish kisses chocolates pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee

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  5. interesting information about various stuff. nice to know these facts about vodka and coke, scary though. and my little princess loves Barbie...lastly, can i have some Hershey kisses? hehehe! anyway, congrats Papaleng...you deserved it. blow-out naman dyan? :)

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  6. I'll never bow like the Japanese people do.. Ever. :D

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  7. I want some Hershey's chocolates now!:) whew, what a great collection of interesting facts again Papaleng! I cleaned our bathroom today with only soap because I get irritated by the smell of cleaners...now I think I found the solution through you! coca cola it is! :)

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  8. I'm amazed with the trivia about the long Monopoly game. I wonder how the players survived! LOL I was a member of the Chess and Scrabble club when I was still in high school kaya alam ko ang meaning ng Checkmate. ;D

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  9. I did not know that the bar code was first use to chewing gums. Very interesting.

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  10. The information about Barbie will explain her staying power in terms of popularity among young girls. Imagine having a whole story invented around her which girls can identify with.

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  11. Whenever I shop at Walmart, I like doing the Self-checkout. Thanks to the barcodes. It makes it possible.

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  12. I might as well hand over the hubby's tablet to our kiddo to keep him having to purchase trivia books whenever we go the bookstores. There's so much to learn in your pages. :)

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  13. This is a veryyy interesting post. I had a wide grin with the info about Barbie. I didn't know all those facts. Didn't even know she broke up with Kent, hahaha! Good thing they are back in each other's arms again. Love story lang ang peg. LOL!

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  14. My kids love to play chess recently and they are learning it from their iPad App :-) These are very informative Papaleng as always. Thank you for sharing :-)

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  15. Oh! I can so relate with the trivia about chess! Ehem, it my favorite sport in the world! I used to play it since my elementary years. And I am so familiar and been doing the two moves play (only its only now that I found out about what its called). I was fooled by my cousin about it, but I also did it to friends! Haha

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  16. I didn't know that citric acid is best for removing stains. great post!

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  17. HOLA! I already know about the uses of Coca-cola and Vodka. But for some others it's my first time to know about it. Thanks so much @papaleng.

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  18. Now I know where else to use vodka and coke around the house.

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  19. piggy bank and toliet paper! hahah. soo cool your blog post,.can u also make a feature on toilets (various types) with relation to culture/tradition or ways. ive been searching for a comprehensive post on one hehhe

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  20. I didn't know Barbie has a full name. I'll tell this to my daughter.

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  21. Such informative and interesting info you have here. most of them are new to my ears. May I add a very effective use of Coke? Just let the spirit evaporate by stirring a bottle of coke and it's a great relief for LBM.

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  22. Coca Cola is also a great sports drink since it fast tracks recovery and gives you a sugarrush.

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  23. I recently got two big bottles of vodka to sample. My hubby and I have been enjoying them. We like vodka Orange Cream Pop Dream.

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  24. I was amused of reading these things. They're indeed very informative. Though trivia, but yet they're full of information worth sharing.

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  25. wow those are really good trivia for today! I know about barbie the checkmates vodka and coke. and the three monkeys hehe. though all of them are thebest!

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  26. I think vodka as a cleaner is much similar to Coke. I can't imagine the damage it would add to my body once drank.

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  27. You always have these interesting trivia's sir.. splendid.
    I didnt know about the three wise monkeys, but didnt know their Jaoanese names, only the meaning behind. :)

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  28. Natuwa ako sa trivia about Barbie and Ken! I didn't know na may full name pala ang doll na yan. :)

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  29. As soon as i saw Coke, i immediately recognize whats the trivia about it is all about-as a sucker for Coke! hahahahaha

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