1151
@qikipedia
During the 1980s, New York City used these signs instead of standard "no parking" signs.
(Image: Sunny Ripert; CC BY-SA.)
1152
@qikipedia
In the 18th century, small cannons were sometimes mounted on camels.
1153
@qikipedia
Think photosynthesis is just for plants? Think again.
1154
@qikipedia
Before the recording of this week's new episode of QI, @BillBailey received a very special award.
Can we please have a big round of applause for Bill! 👏
1155
@qikipedia
The word ‘bear’ can be traced to the Proto-Indo-European for ‘brown’, and the word ‘beaver’ can be traced to the Proto-Indo-European for ‘brown-brown’.
1156
@qikipedia
Since 1278, Andorra has been ruled by two co-princes: the head of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain. Until 1993, in odd-numbered years Andorra paid about £353 to France; and in even-numbered years gave a tribute to the Spanish of £9, six hams, six cheeses and 12 hens.
1157
@qikipedia
The English word ‘fact’ originally meant an action or deed, particularly an evil one (from the Latin ‘facere’ - to do). It only acquired the sense of ‘something known to be true’ around 400 years ago.
1158
@qikipedia
According to a 2021 scientific paper, capybaras are significantly more comfortable when bathing in hot springs.
(Image: Masaki Tokutomi; CC BY-SA.)
1159
@qikipedia
In 2006, an experiment with different cycling gear found drivers gave an average of 14.1cm more space when overtaking a cyclist wearing a long blonde wig.
1160
@qikipedia
In 1979, New England Journal of Medicine described a case of finger infection caused by snapping one’s fingers too much while disco dancing, known either as ‘disco felon’ or ‘disco digit'.
1161
@qikipedia
Word of the Day: CLINCHPOOP — someone lacking in ‘gentlemanly breeding’, a boor.
1162
@qikipedia
An expert is a person who has found out by his own painful experience all the mistakes that one can make. NIELS BOHR
1163
@qikipedia
Word of the day: ABLIGURITION - excessive spending on food and drink
1164
@qikipedia
The pumpkin toadlet is so small that its vestibular system doesn't function well.
This means it is very bad at jumping.
(Video from Essner et al 2022; used with permission.)
1165
@qikipedia
QI Factvent Calendar Day One!
1166
@qikipedia
Though eels have been studied since ancient Greece, scientists still aren't sure how they have sex.
1167
@qikipedia
We'll be honest, this is probably our favourite ever QI credit.
1168
@qikipedia
You used to be able to eat dinner inside a taxidermied blue whale. Now you can't, because of two people who should be very ashamed of themselves. 👀🐳
1169
@qikipedia
Isaac Newton was not a popular lecturer at Cambridge. According to Newton’s assistant, ‘so few went to hear Him, & fewer [...] understood him’ that he ‘read to the Walls.’
1170
@qikipedia
It would take around 3,000 years to count all the brain cells in a single human brain.
1171
@qikipedia
97% of people are currently keeping a secret.
1172
@qikipedia
Cowboys in the Old West were more likely to wear bowler hats than cowboy hats.
(Image: Oxfordian Kissuth; CC BY-SA.)
1173
@qikipedia
Short men really are more aggressive.
1174
@qikipedia
The Cookie Monster’s real name is Sid.
1175
@qikipedia
Deer in headlights don't freeze purely out of fear - their eyes are so light-sensitive they are easily temporarily blinded.
@qikipedia
A Quite Interesting Twitter feed from the team behind the BBC TV show QI.
linktr.ee/TheQIElves