The Thread of Useless Facts

**Bren** · 22nd April 2008, 22:43

The name Vanilla comes from the Spanish word "vainilla", diminutive form of "vaina" (meaning "sheath"), which is in turn derived from Latin "vagina".

A fear of long words is, ironically, called "Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia"

When you slice an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Certain enzymes from the cells then decompose the amino acid sulfoxide, which forms sulfenic acid, which then quickly changes into a volatile gas. When this gas combines with the water in your eyes it produces a mild sulfuric acid. The acid irritates the eyes making them tear.

**Mully** · 23rd April 2008, 10:16

This thread was dredged.

A Boeing 747 can theoretically fly upside down, However, the force exerted on the wings during the barrel roll will shear the wings off.

**firefighter** · 23rd April 2008, 10:20

a child can hold its breath until it passes out but an adult cannot

**firefighter** · 23rd April 2008, 10:24

Originally Posted by Finn

Finn says, "Never, ever, date a woman with more problems than you."

so no dating then?

**DarkLord** · 23rd April 2008, 10:25

Moving house sucks.

**Finn** · 23rd April 2008, 10:49

Originally Posted by firefighter

so no dating then?

Certainly looks that way.

**gijoe1313** · 23rd April 2008, 11:53

Ants have no concept of time, only temperature. They judge their activities by the heat of their surroundings. When its warm, they move quick, hotter and they move quicker, colder and they reduce their activities accordingly till they are lethargic.

They are amongst the most numerous of the insect world and have civilisations that dwarf all but their more ancient rivals (the termites).

The US military once comissioned a multi-million dollar study into the way they conducted war and were astonished at their organisation and the way they went on military operations once a war footing had been established.

Fire ants are now the most pervasive and dominating species of ant. They have taken over most areas and rapidly expanding into new territories. Only the weather is stopping them (remember they have no concept of time, just temperature)

**peasea** · 23rd April 2008, 13:00

**KiwiRat** · 26th April 2008, 02:11

If the concrete in the Hoover Dam was poured in one go, it would have taken 125 years for it to cure properly.

**flyingcrocodile46** · 26th April 2008, 02:16

Originally Posted by KiwiRat

If the concrete in the Hoover Dam was poured in one go, it would have taken 125 years for it to cure properly.

If it was poured in one hit (rather than gradually but continuous) it would have over-heated and not cured properly. The resultant shrinkage cracks would have rendered in unusable

**KiwiRat** · 26th April 2008, 04:51

Affirmative

**Badger8** · 26th April 2008, 09:54

Originally Posted by flyingcrocodile46

If it was poured in one hit (rather than gradually but continuous) it would have over-heated and not cured properly. The resultant shrinkage cracks would have rendered in unusable

Even with the way they poured it, they still had to lay pipes throughout to run cooling fluid through (water i presume, but cant remember for sure) so that it didnt get too hot. Once they'd finished the main pour, they then filled the pipes too.

**Oakie** · 26th April 2008, 11:31

Scientists have shown by minute examination of DNA from around the world that everyone in the world is descended from a woman who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago. At that time the human population had dwindled to a number which in modern days would class it as extrememly endangered following a mega drought caused by global warming.