Really TRUE odd factoids
- Thread starter Blue Hills
- Start date
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OP
OP
- Location
- London
World War 1 (and hence maybe World War 2) might never have happened if a Nottinghamshire hunting trip had panned out just slightly differently.
In 1913 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was on a hunting party with the Duke of Portland at his Welbeck estate north of Nottingham. One of the loaders fell and both barrels of his gun were discharged. The shot passed within feet of the Archduke but no harm came to him.
The next year he was assassinated in Sarajevo, setting in train a series of events which unleashed World War 1.
In 1913 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was on a hunting party with the Duke of Portland at his Welbeck estate north of Nottingham. One of the loaders fell and both barrels of his gun were discharged. The shot passed within feet of the Archduke but no harm came to him.
The next year he was assassinated in Sarajevo, setting in train a series of events which unleashed World War 1.
Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
Shouldn't that be, "In fact, Coca-Cola makes so many products, if you tried one product from its portfolio every day, you would have Type 2 diabetes".
Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
WW1 wouldn't have happened if his driver hadn't taken a wrong turn and then tried to go back the way he came.
Darius_Jedburgh
Veteran
WW1 would never have happened if he had stayed at home as advised.
But the whole region was a powder keg, so something else would have triggered the shebang.
But the whole region was a powder keg, so something else would have triggered the shebang.
OP
OP
- Location
- London
true.
Darius_Jedburgh
Veteran
The only animals that eat rhubarb are human beings.
And the leaves are poisonous to all.
And the leaves are poisonous to all.
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
In 2024 India will overtake China as the most populous country.
A record China is believed to have held since 1750.
A record China is believed to have held since 1750.
classic33
Leg End Member
The ‘CCCP' inscription on Yuri Gagarins helmet was applied a mere 20 minutes before lift off. It was decided at the last moment that, should Gagarin land successfully, he might justifiably be taken for a foreign spy.
The year before, Gary Powers’s U-2 reconnaissance plane had been shot down over the USSR. Powers had worn very similar headgear.
The year before, Gary Powers’s U-2 reconnaissance plane had been shot down over the USSR. Powers had worn very similar headgear.
classic33
Leg End Member
The fear of Friday the 13th is known as “Friggatriskaidekaphobia.”
The word traces its etymological roots to both Norse and Greek languages, being derived from the Norse “Frigg,” the Norse Goddess that Friday is named after (also known as Freya), and the two Greek words “triskaideka” meaning “thirteen” and “phobia” meaning “fear.”
The word traces its etymological roots to both Norse and Greek languages, being derived from the Norse “Frigg,” the Norse Goddess that Friday is named after (also known as Freya), and the two Greek words “triskaideka” meaning “thirteen” and “phobia” meaning “fear.”
oldwheels
Legendary Member
- Location
- Isle of Mull
The very first Youth Hostel in Britain was established by William Ferris from Glasgow at Kinlochard but later in 1931 was taken over by the SYHA.
Joey Shabadoo
My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
William Wallis, (12 April 1791 – 13 February 1892) served for 96 years in the Royal Navy.
OP
OP
- Location
- London
Credit to robert elms show on bbc radio London for this.
Marc bolan shared a flat with James Bolam (of LIkely Lads and, gloriously, whatever happened to the likely lads, fame).
That I understand is FACT.
There are theories that this produced his stage second name (his real name was Mark Feld) though others think that it is a contraction of Bob Dylan, who he was a great fan/imitator of in his progress through several identities and styles.
Odd factoidette 2 - this flat was in Barnes I understand - he later of course met his death in a car crash in Barnes - last time I checked on my London bike wanderings there is still an informal memorial at the crash site.
Edit, prog on la bolan on sky arts, freeview 11, tonight at 10.
Marc bolan shared a flat with James Bolam (of LIkely Lads and, gloriously, whatever happened to the likely lads, fame).
That I understand is FACT.
There are theories that this produced his stage second name (his real name was Mark Feld) though others think that it is a contraction of Bob Dylan, who he was a great fan/imitator of in his progress through several identities and styles.
Odd factoidette 2 - this flat was in Barnes I understand - he later of course met his death in a car crash in Barnes - last time I checked on my London bike wanderings there is still an informal memorial at the crash site.
Edit, prog on la bolan on sky arts, freeview 11, tonight at 10.
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