useless facts - Page 254

Ostfriese · 02-07-25, 02:58 AM

The world's deadliest border in 2024 was the southern border of the European Union, both in absolute numbers and in percentage.

Europe's southern border has been at the top of this statistic for the 10th consecutive year.

Five of the six main migration routes into Europe cross the southern border:
- the Balkan land route (starting in Greece, which is a EU member, through Albania and Serbia into Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia)
- the eastern Mediterranean route (starting in Syria and neighbouring countries, crossing the Mediterranean into Cyprus, from there into Turkey and then on to Greece and Bulgaria)
- the central Mediterranean route (from Tunisia across the Mediterranean to southern Italy and Malta)
- the western Mediterranean route (from Morocco across the Mediterranean/Gibraltar into Spain)
- the Canary Islands route (from Westafrican nations like Morocco, Mauretania, Senegal, The Gambia and others across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands off the Morroccan coast. The Canary Islands are an autonomous region of Spain).

The last one is the deadliest route, more than 20% of the migrants using this route died in 2024 (a bit over 10,000 known dead, with estimates going as high as 35,000 out of about 50,000 registered illegal immigrants).

Jimbuna · 02-07-25, 08:02 AM

H&M actually stands for something.

The clothing retail shop was originally called Hennes—Swedish for “hers”—before acquiring the hunting and fishing equipment brand Mauritz Widforss. Eventually, Hennes & Mauritz was shortened to H&M.

Aktungbby · 02-07-25, 05:42 PM

The biggest thing in the known universe is Quipu.

Jimbuna · 02-08-25, 12:38 PM

Theodore Roosevelt had a pet hyena.

Jimbuna · 02-10-25, 01:53 PM

The CIA headquarters has its own Starbucks, but baristas don’t write names on the cups.

Its receipts say “Store Number 1” instead of “Starbucks,” and its workers need an escort to leave their work posts.

Platapus · 02-10-25, 06:31 PM

Giraffes do not have horns. They have Ossicones.

Jimbuna · 02-11-25, 01:19 PM

Giraffe tongues can be 20 inches long.

Their dark, bluish-black color is probably to prevent sunburn.

Jimbuna · 02-19-25, 01:34 PM

There’s only one U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s.

Montpelier, Vermont.

Jimbuna · 02-20-25, 01:26 PM

Europeans were scared of eating tomatoes when they were introduced.

Platapus · 02-21-25, 05:04 AM

The international Space Station loses 100 meters of altitude per day.

A few times per year, extra fuel needs to be taken up to allow the thrusters to boost the altitude back.

Jimbuna · 02-21-25, 11:38 AM

Humans aren’t the only animals that dream.

Studies have indicated rats dream about getting to food or running through mazes. Most mammals go through REM sleep, the cycle in which dreams occur, so scientists think there’s a good chance they all dream.

Jimbuna · 02-22-25, 02:08 PM

The inventor of the microwave appliance received only $2 for his discovery.

Jimbuna · 02-24-25, 01:54 PM

Frankenstein’s Creature is a vegetarian.

Both Victor Frankenstein and Creature are fictional characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In the classic novel, Creature says, “My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment.”

Platapus · 02-24-25, 05:16 PM

Catoptromancy is the interpretation of reflections

Aktungbby · 02-24-25, 09:51 PM

/\...like when I get 'twixt two mirrors while shaving...

and contemplate which is my 'good' side

and which isn't

02-07-25, 08:02 AM	#3797
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	H&M actually stands for something. The clothing retail shop was originally called Hennes—Swedish for “hers”—before acquiring the hunting and fishing equipment brand Mauritz Widforss. Eventually, Hennes & Mauritz was shortened to H&M. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-07-25, 05:42 PM	#3798
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 30,160 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	The biggest thing in the known universe is Quipu. __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!

02-08-25, 12:38 PM	#3799
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Theodore Roosevelt had a pet hyena. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-10-25, 01:53 PM	#3800
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The CIA headquarters has its own Starbucks, but baristas don’t write names on the cups. Its receipts say “Store Number 1” instead of “Starbucks,” and its workers need an escort to leave their work posts. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-10-25, 06:31 PM	#3801
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,445 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Giraffes do not have horns. They have Ossicones. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-07-25, 02:58 AM	#3796
Ostfriese Sea Lord Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 1,902 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The world's deadliest border in 2024 was the southern border of the European Union, both in absolute numbers and in percentage. Europe's southern border has been at the top of this statistic for the 10th consecutive year. Five of the six main migration routes into Europe cross the southern border: - the Balkan land route (starting in Greece, which is a EU member, through Albania and Serbia into Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia) - the eastern Mediterranean route (starting in Syria and neighbouring countries, crossing the Mediterranean into Cyprus, from there into Turkey and then on to Greece and Bulgaria) - the central Mediterranean route (from Tunisia across the Mediterranean to southern Italy and Malta) - the western Mediterranean route (from Morocco across the Mediterranean/Gibraltar into Spain) - the Canary Islands route (from Westafrican nations like Morocco, Mauretania, Senegal, The Gambia and others across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands off the Morroccan coast. The Canary Islands are an autonomous region of Spain). The last one is the deadliest route, more than 20% of the migrants using this route died in 2024 (a bit over 10,000 known dead, with estimates going as high as 35,000 out of about 50,000 registered illegal immigrants).

02-11-25, 01:19 PM	#3802
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Giraffe tongues can be 20 inches long. Their dark, bluish-black color is probably to prevent sunburn. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-19-25, 01:34 PM	#3803
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	There’s only one U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s. Montpelier, Vermont. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-20-25, 01:26 PM	#3804
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Europeans were scared of eating tomatoes when they were introduced. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-21-25, 05:04 AM	#3805
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,445 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	The international Space Station loses 100 meters of altitude per day. A few times per year, extra fuel needs to be taken up to allow the thrusters to boost the altitude back. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-21-25, 11:38 AM	#3806
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Humans aren’t the only animals that dream. Studies have indicated rats dream about getting to food or running through mazes. Most mammals go through REM sleep, the cycle in which dreams occur, so scientists think there’s a good chance they all dream. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-22-25, 02:08 PM	#3807
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The inventor of the microwave appliance received only $2 for his discovery. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-24-25, 01:54 PM	#3808
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Frankenstein’s Creature is a vegetarian. Both Victor Frankenstein and Creature are fictional characters in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In the classic novel, Creature says, “My food is not that of man; I do not destroy the lamb and the kid to glut my appetite; acorns and berries afford me sufficient nourishment.” __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-24-25, 05:16 PM	#3809
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,445 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Catoptromancy is the interpretation of reflections __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

02-24-25, 09:51 PM	#3810
Aktungbby Gefallen Engel U-666 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: On a tilted, overheated, overpopulated spinning mudball on Collision course with Andromeda Galaxy Posts: 30,160 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	/\...like when I get 'twixt two mirrors while shaving... and contemplate which is my 'good' side and which isn't __________________ "Only two things are infinite; The Universe and human squirrelyness?!!