Tidbits by Tim

Welcome readers to the column I wrote for 11 years for a newspaper in Illinois. After leaving the paper and putting the column to rest, I decided it was time to get back on the horse and write it again, with fresh content. Pass the word and enjoy a different look at trivia. One that tends to go off in unusual directions and, at times, will introduce you to a wide variety of characters.

For the sake of argument, or for that matter, starting one, men wore gloves before women. At least I did.

It took longer for the news that Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole to get to England than his expedition lasted.

If you were wondering what the hair you are born with is called, try saying lanugo. Go ahead, say it, you would be right.

Chickens snore. I should say they can if they are inclined to do so.

You can add "pretty ugly" to that list you are compiling about oxymorons.

George Washington became commander in chief first; president came later.

Yes, porcupines are born with quills, but they are covered with a membrane that protects mom.

Because he contracted malaria, Andrew Johnson showed up to his vice presidential innauguration drunk. He downed some medicinal whiskey and slurred through his speech.

It was on Feb. 12, 2002 when the oldest vomit was found. And not a moment too soon. It came from an Ichthysaur. Sure it did.

Julius Ceasar was able to stab one of his attackers on that dreaded Ides of March. But it really didn't matter, did it?

The thunder is not what causes the milk to turn sour. It's more likely to be the weather that follows the storm.

Swans cannot sing before dying because, well, they are mute. Some hiss, however.

Apples in the Garden of Eden? Not likely because it would have been too warm.

Abraham Lincoln was laughing when he was shot.

You would think that buttonholes popped up around the same time buttons did. They didn't appear until 1400 years after buttons. And don't get me started about Red Buttons.

Those are not scales on a shark. They are denticles.

Salt is a rock. "I am a Rock." No, that was Simon and Garfunkel.

Ben Green cooked cocoa butter in a coffee pot and then put it on his head. He was bald. From this came Coppertone. The year was 1944.

Apple pips contain cyanide. Gladys Knight has Pips, too. So does a pair of dice.

IN CLOSING: "It's a dog eat dog world and I'm wearing milkbone underwear." From Norm on "Cheers."

(Tim O'Brien is an avid reader and compiles these items from a wide variety of sources. He is a radio personality and a freelance writer.)