Interesting World Trivia (Not profound or anything. Just brain-candy)

Ask Jeeves ^

[Paradox]

Russians generally answer the phone by saying, "I'm listening".

Cubans (perhaps other latin americans too) do this too. They answer with "Oigo!", which means "I'm listening". It sounds pretty rude to me, I have never quite gotten used to it.

[MoralSense]

Canada ain't got no "capita" to speak of, thus the high donut shop ratio. And Minnesota used to have a law against colored margarine, too, leading comedian Dick Gregory (when he still was) to make jokes about little old ladies in South Dakota smuggling margarine.

[pblax8]

According to Ask Jeeves and the National Geographic Society the Nile is the longest river in the world at 4,145 miles. The Amazon is 2nd at 3,920.

[AppyPappy]

Your link doesn't work.

[Conan the Librarian]

>> If the population of China walked past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction


If they are all marching past you, how do they reproduce?

Enquiring minds maybe don't want to know.

[Gefreiter]

Poles too. Sounds like, "swo-hom".

My Russian instructor once explained that martial themes and expressions are common throughout the language. One example was the Russian equivalent to "Break a leg!" in English, what you say to someone before they go on stage and wish them luck. I think in Russian it was something like, "Go to hell you bastard."

[BlueLancer]

"Missed your train? Cursing doesn't help!"

No, but it certainly makes me feel better.

[SevenDaysInMay]

When I've called Moscow (last 15 years), I get "Allo".

[brothers4thID]

Hrm I'm a bit skeptical of a few of these. Considering the Great Fire of London burned for over 4 days and hit the poorest sections of town, it is quite probable that many more people were killed and never identified or claimed. Who was going to fret over a missing prostitute or child of the street in 17th century London?

Also- every "leap year" in "ancient Scottland"? I've never heard of this practice and furthermore what is defined as ancient? Did the leap year even exist in "ancient" times?

Sorry- I'm that annoying history buff that no one wants to play trivial pursuit with.

[brothers4thID]

Ok I did a bit of looking into the leap day thing. Here is what I found:


29th - Leap Year Day -
The 29th is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining.

Why is it called a Leap Year?
Hundreds of years ago the leap year day had no recognition in English law. The day was 'leapt over' and ignored, hence the term 'leap year'.


Leap Day Tradition
The one day of the year on which, traditionally, women can propose to men. It was considered that as the day also had no legal status, it was reasonable to assume that tradition had no status, so women took advantage of this and proposed to the man they wanted to marry.

A law once existed in Scotland forbidding a man to refuse a proposal made to him. Punishment for such an offence was a large fine.

This tradition goes back to an old Irish legend concerning St. Patrick and St. Bridget in the 5th Century.

In the 5th century, a nun by the name of St. Bridget, petitioned St. Patrick on behalf of all women in that they have a more active role in choosing their husbands. As a result of this request, women were allowed to propose to men once every four years.

I've determined I have way too little to keep me occupied today.

[Corporate Law]

There are more donut shops in Canada per capita than any other country.

When I was in Nova Scotia last year, I noticed that no matter how small the town, there were at least two Tim Horton's in each. Sometimes, they were within a couple of hundred yards of each other.

[yankeedame]

Your link doesn't work.

Well, gee, not on purpose!

[CTOCS]

In Spain they answer the phone saying "diga mi" (dAYga may).
Loosely translated, it means "speak to me". Not quite sure about the spelling, though.

[Hanging Chad]

Why don't your links work?
(This thread or the other one you posted)

[AppyPappy]

I don't understand. Do you mean it worked for you and now it doesn't work?

[CTOCS]

1,800 cigs per year per capita?

If the entire population smoked, that's roughly 1.7 packs per week.

If it's 25-30% of population like the rest of the world, then that's a boatload of smokes.....

[netmilsmom]

>>The Australian $5 to $100 notes are made of plastic. <<

When I was in Sydney in the late 80's the 5 dollar bill had just come out. I was told that they were plastic because this way they could not be ripped. I grasped one in my teeth and tore it in half. I was pretty embarrassed.

[spetznaz]

More people speak English in China than the United States.

Well, that's true. But how many Chinese speak Americanese?

[cyborg]

Lots do :-)