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The Fear of Being Buried Alive is Called ‘Taphophobia’

The Fear of Being Buried Alive is Called ‘Taphophobia’

Daven August 4, 2010 7

Today I found out that the medical term for the irrational fear of being buried alive is called Taphophobia, also occasionally spelled Tephephobia, which means the same thing.    Taphophobia derives from the Greek

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Origin of the Term “Booze”

Origin of the Term “Booze”

Daven August 3, 2010 9

Today I found out the origin of the term “booze”. The first references to the word “booze” meaning “alcoholic drink” in English appear around the 14th century, though it was originally spelled “bouse”.  The

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The Biblical Expression “40 Days and 40 Nights” Just Means a “Really Long Time”

The Biblical Expression “40 Days and 40 Nights” Just Means a “Really Long Time”

Daven August 2, 2010 16

Today I found out the biblical expression “40 days and 40 nights” just means a really long time. At the time among the Jews, the number forty wasn’t generally used to signify a specific

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The American Government Once Intentionally Poisoned Certain Alcohol Supplies, Resulting in the Death of Over 10,000 American Citizens

The American Government Once Intentionally Poisoned Certain Alcohol Supplies, Resulting in the Death of Over 10,000 American Citizens

Daven July 30, 2010 5

Today I found out that in an effort to scare people away from drinking alcohol, the American government once poisoned certain alcohol supplies; this resulted in the death of over 10,000 American Citizens. This,

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Turkey Does Not Make You Drowsy After You Eat It

Turkey Does Not Make You Drowsy After You Eat It

Daven July 29, 2010 2

Today I found out turkey does not make you drowsy after you eat it. Now to be clear, turkey does contain tryptophan.  Tryptophan is an amino acid which the human body doesn’t naturally produce,

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‘Peruse’ Doesn’t Mean What Many People Think

‘Peruse’ Doesn’t Mean What Many People Think

Daven July 28, 2010 8

Today I found out ‘peruse’ doesn’t mean what many people think it means. It turns out, “peruse” does not mean “to skim” or “to glance through” or “read quickly” or the like, as it

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All Yeast Leavened Bread Was Once Sourdough

All Yeast Leavened Bread Was Once Sourdough

Daven July 27, 2010 0

##EMBED## Click Here to Learn More Bread Related Facts Text Version Before the 19th century, all yeast leavened bread was a type of sourdough bread as they didn’t understand that it wasn’t the yeast

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Shaving Does Not Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker or Faster

Shaving Does Not Make Your Hair Grow Back Thicker or Faster

Daven July 27, 2010 10

Today I found out shaving does not make your hair grow back thicker, stronger, faster, or any other “er”.  In fact, contrary to what parents the world over tend to tell their kids when

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Origin of the Term “Smart Alec”

Origin of the Term “Smart Alec”

Daven July 26, 2010 2

Today I found out the origin of the term “Smart Alec”. It was once thought this term was simply generic and that Alec wasn’t actually a real person.   Research done by Professor Gerald Cohen

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What Hemisphere You Are in Does Not Affect the Way Water Spins Down Your Drain

What Hemisphere You Are in Does Not Affect the Way Water Spins Down Your Drain

Daven July 23, 2010 19

Today I found out what hemisphere you are in does not affect the way water spins down your drain. So why do some textbooks, most tour guides, and pretty much all TV shows like

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