I love random facts

[Maizie]

Schott's Miscellany lists quite a few more examples of words like this, with two completely opposite meanings. I'm afraid the only other one I can recall at the moment is 'fast'.

Raise (lift up) and raze (make shorter; usually 'raze to the ground', done by fires or bulldozers). Homophones rather than homonyms, but good just the same.

 

[twowheelsgood]

Concrete was invented by the ancient Greeks. Theirs didn't go off through chemical reaction but through exposure to air so some of their thicker monuments still haven't set on the inside.

and that's why the romans could build concrete harbours whereas the greeks couldn't as it would cure underwater.

 

[User482]

1. The mammal most lethal to humans in Africa is the hippo.

2. Red Rock cider is not red, and there are no rocks in it.

 

[mr_hippo]

1. The mammal most lethal to humans in Africa is the hippo.

but the one in Thailand is very pleasant, witty and charming!

 

[Arch]

<bangs head on table>

I looked at this thread earlier, thought of a great fact, and then in the time it took me to log on, forgot what I was going to say. Still can't remember. Argh!

 

[Twenty Inch]

Yes but salo it not just lard as you say it is mixed with over things if you have a look on wikipedia it may have it?

Actually it's slabs of the belly fat. Also called "tocino" in Spanish. Delicious. Whenever I'm in Ukraine my diet would make a heart specialist gibber.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Indeed, it is a member of the legume family. Which is why peas, beans, etc are verbotten if you have a nut allergy.

"Verboten" is spelt with only one "t".

"Spelt" is a type of ancient wheat variety.

 

[PaulB]

Although it was called "The Flying Scotsman", it couldn't really fly. And it wasn't a Scotsman.

 

[Fnaar]

Eddie the Eagle was, in fact, a bird of prey in disguise

 

[PaulB]

Often people from Liverpool are referred to as "Whining Scouse Gits". This is in fact entirley accurate.

I just couldn't resist it.

Though nearly always by small minded bigots who are bitterly jealous at having no identity themselves.

Neither could I

 

[Kovu]

Though nearly always by small minded bigots who are bitterly jealous at having no identity themselves.

Neither could I

Don't start that again guys.

 

[Hilldodger]

Eddie the Eagle was, in fact, a bird of prey in disguise

Eddie the Eagle was (stiil is?) studying law at Leicester Uni

 

[Dayvo]

and that's why the romans could build concrete harbours

But what else have the Romans done for us?

 

[Kovu]

Sorry Kovu

Aye ... otherwise I'll have to side with PaulB, i'm a northern lass me, and I don't wanna wow you with my amazing debating talants.

 

[graham56]

Aye ... otherwise I'll have to side with PaulB, i'm a northern lass me, and I don't wanna wow you with my amazing debating talants.

Make canny sarnies do you?