Funky, Freaky Facts Most People Don't KnowWant to be a real pest? Show people up with things they don't know, which you'll find in this collection of hundreds of little-known, fascinating facts. Example: When a family member is brushing their teeth, tell him or her this one: The first toothpaste, a thousand years ago, was a mix of honey, salt, and ground glass. When you find two lovebirds making out, inform them that in ancient Rome kissing lips was considered ordinary, but that kissing people's feet was a sign of great respect. Next time a teacher presents a map of the United States, ask which is longer, the Mississippi River or the distance from New York to London. (Answer: the river is longer if you straighten out its bends.) To really gross out everybody, when someone sneezes, explain that tiny particles of mucus have just exploded in all directions at over 100 miles per hour. There's lots more-- all with funny cartoon illustrations--including how birds get drunk, why Louis Dobermann bred a ferocious dog, and the bloody story behind striped barber poles. Warning: The author suggests that you not tell any of these facts at mealtime. Sterling 192 pages, 353 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4. |
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100 years ago Adelie penguin ancient Greeks animal Antarctic ants Arctic terns baby ball Bayeux Tapestry beak bigger biggest birds blood body bones brain Britain build built called centipedes color Conakry crabs creatures different types dinosaurs drops Earth eggs elephant elephant bird eyes fastest feathers feed feet 9m female fight fingers fish flap fleas flies flowers French front giant grow head holes honey badger horse huge human hummingbird inches India insects inside killed land legs Lion live look male Manta rays metric tons miles million years ago millipede monster Moon mother move Native Americans nearly nest night nose Ocean plants Pole rain River Saltwater crocodiles scientists seeds side skin smallest South America speed spider swim tail tall tallest teeth tiny Towers of Silence trees tunnel volcano walk weighed whales wings world's largest