Interesting Facts, You Probably Did Not Know

In my infinite boredom, I have compiled a listing of my favorite facts you probably didn't know.

Medical Facts

Approximately 16 Canadians have their appendices removed, when not required, every day.

Men have more blood than women. Men have 1.5 gallons for men versus 0.875 gallons for women

The human brain stops growing at the age of 18

You lose enough dead skin cells in your lifetime to fill eight five-pound flour bags.

Your thumb is the same length as your nose.

The storage capacity of human brain exceeds 4 Terra bytes

Celebrity Facts

At last check, the governor of Arkansas makes $60,000 a year. His salary is the lowest of all 50 states. A dozen or so states pay their governors more than $100,000 year, generally the more populous states. California pays its governor $131,000. Illinois comes in second at $130,000 and change, with New York, a close third at $130,000 even.

President Teddy Roosevelt died from an "infected tooth."

Flamenco dancer Jose Greco took out an insurance policy through Lloyd's of London against his pants splitting during a performance.

Lloyd Vernet Bridges III is the birth name of actor Beau Bridges. He was given the nickname "Beau" by his family, reportedly after Ashley Wilkes's son in the classic 1939 film "Gone With the Wind."

George Washington was deathly afraid of being buried alive. After he died, he wanted to be laid out for three days just to make sure he was dead.

When the Hoovers did not want to be overheard by White House guests, they spoke to each other in Chinese.

Ellen DeGeneres was the first stand-up comedian Johnny Carson ever asked to sit on "The Tonight Show" guest couch during a first appearance.

Actor Steve McQueen encouraged his karate teacher to pursue a career in acting. The teacher? Chuck Norris. McQueen is quoted as telling Norris, "If you can't do anything else' there's always acting."

Steven Spielberg is Drew Barrymore's godfather. After seeing her nude in Playboy magazine, he sent her a blanket with a note telling her to cover herself up.

Food Facts

The Ritz cracker was introduced to markets in 1934, but gourmets had to wait until 1953 for the invention of cheese in a can.

A man named Ed Peterson is the inventor of the Egg McMuffin

An apple, onion, and potato all have the same taste. The differences in flavor are caused by their smell. To prove this - pinch your nose and take a bite from each. They will all taste sweet.

Mr. Peanut was invented in 1916 by a Suffolk, Virginia schoolchild who won $5 in a design contest sponsored by Planters Peanuts.

The secret recipe for Coca Cola, code-named "Merchandise 7X" is kept under lock and key in a vault in the Sun Trust Bank Building in Atlanta, Georgia, the home of Coke inventor Dr. John S. Pemberton and current world headquarters of Coca Cola International.

In South Africa, termites are often roasted and eaten by the handful, like pretzels or popcorn.

Carbonated water, with nothing else in it, can dissolve limestone, talc, and many other low-Moh's hardness minerals. Coincidentally, carbonated water is the main ingredient in soda.

In medieval England beer often was served with breakfast.

Grapes explode when you put them in the microwave.

Only food that does not spoil: honey.

Urban Legends/Myths

One legend claims stealing someone's shadow (by measuring it against a wall and driving a nail through its head) can turn the victim into a vampire.

Avoid people who talk to themselves. According to Ukrainian legend, that could indicate a dual soul and the second one doesn't die! Also watch out for the seventh son of a seventh son, a person born with a red caul (amniotic membrane covering the head), or a child born with teeth. A vampire can result if a cat or dog walks over a fresh grave, a bat flies over the corpse, or the person has died suddenly as a result of suicide or murder. Unfinished business can also cause a body to rise, as can inadequate burial rites, including a grave that is too shallow.

An artificial spider and web are often included in the decorations on Ukrainian Christmas trees. A spider web found on Christmas morning is believed to bring good luck

Breaking of a glass is traditional in some wedding ceremonies. This custom symbolizes different things. To some its the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and for some its the represents the fragility of a relationship.

In Greek culture, brides carry a lump of sugar in their wedding glove. It's supposed to bring sweetness to their married life.

One sign of rain that farmers once searched for was for their pigs to pick up sticks and walk around with them in their mouths.

Contrary to popular belief, there are almost no Buddhists in India, nor have there been for about a thousand years.

One superstition says that if a girl leaves her house early on Valentine's Day and the first person she meets is a man, then she will be married within three months.

I recommend doing a google search on interesting facts, there are thousands more to tickle your brain or waste time during the work day.