We at Commonplace Fun Facts are big fans of the Ig Nobel Prize and its mission to “first make people laugh, then make them think.” The list of 2019 laureates touched on […]
Cube-Shaped Wombat Poop and Other Scientific Breakthroughs
How Henry Ford Helped Make Backyard BBQ Easier for Everyone
Henry Ford was famous for promoting his game-changing Model T automobile, telling consumers they could have the car in any color, as long as it was black. There was another game-changing innovation […]
Stick Your Neck Out and Try a Hard-Boiled Ostrich Egg
If you are hungry for hard-boiled eggs, but your diet limits you to just one, you might want to try an ostrich egg. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait. […]
Pigs Fail to Go Hog Wild Over This Ben & Jerry’s Flavor
The manufacturers of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream had to figure out what to do with over 2,000 gallons of daily ice cream waste. Flushing it down the drain was undesirable for […]
If You Like Strong Coffee, You Might Be a Psychopath
If the findings of a recent study are accurate, the next time you order strong coffee, you might be asked if you want cream, sugar, or anti-psychotic medications to go with it. […]
The Cafeteria Named After a Notorious Cannibal
Those who gathered for the dedication of the Alferd Packer Memorial Grill in the Department of Agriculture thought they were witnessing homage to an enterprising pioneer. Little did they realize they were […]
Coffee So Strong That it Shapes a Language
Coffee has been integral to Turkish culture for over 500 years. Turkish coffee is made by brewing finely-ground coffee beans, which are then left in the beverage when it is served. The […]
Harvard’s History of Rebellion and Food Fights
Student protests seem to be a phenomenon that started in the 1960s, but they are much older than that. The proud history of protests on college campuses got its start in America […]
Nutmeg: the Deadly Drug Hidden in Your Spice Cabinet
It just wouldn’t be Christmas without nutmeg. The tasty spice found in virtually every kitchen adds just the right zing to pumpkin pie, eggnog, mulled cider, wassail, and countless other holiday dishes. […]
What To Do When a Restaurant that is Always Open Closes for Christmas?
The Denny’s restaurant chain is famous for always being open. Established in 1953, the franchise now includes 1,700 locations in 15 countries. Since 1956, the restaurant is known for being open 24 […]
Meet Sir George Sitwell: “The Strangest Old Bugger You Ever Met”
Harold Acton said of Sir George Sitwell that he was “the strangest old bugger you ever met.” Was this an accurate description, or was Acton being unfair? Read on and judge for […]
Weird and Wonderful Book Titles for Curious Collectors
You can’t judge a book by its cover — or its title. Even so, it goes without saying that the title goes a long way toward motivating the potential reader to pick […]
Starbucks at the CIA: Customer Names Are a Grande Secret
If you visit the Starbucks at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, everything about the experience will be just like it would be in any of the other 31,000-plus stores around the world […]
Is Your Coffee Cold? Try Yelling at It
If taking a sip of cold coffee gets your dander up, making you want to yell, you might as well go ahead and let loose. You can actually heat your coffee through […]
19 Fun Facts About Coca-Cola
Few things are more recognizable than Coca-Cola. No matter where you travel and regardless of the local language, all you have to see is the familiar curved white stripe against a red […]
