TRIVIA BITS 26 APRIL

 

• The tip of a rotary mower travels at over 200 km/hr.
• The tips of fingers and the soles of feet are covered by a thick, tough layer of skin called the stratum corneum.
• The title role of Dirty Harry, 1971, was originally intended for Frank Sinatra. After he refused, it was offered to John Wayne, and then Paul Newman, finally being accepted by Clint Eastwood.
• The Toltecs, Seventh-century native Mexicans, went into battle with wooden swords so as not to kill their enemies.
• The Tory Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, was born 21 December 1804. He was noted for his oratory and had a number of memorable exchanges in the House with his great rival William Gladstone. Asked what the difference between a calamity and a misfortune was Disraeli replied: 'If Gladstone fell into the Thames it would be a misfortune, but if someone pulled him out again, it would be a calamity'.
• The tower of London, during its lifetime has served many purposes, including a zoo.
• The tree dictated on the Lebanese flag is a Cedar.
• The tsetse fly kills another 66,000 people annually.
• The turkey was wrongly named after what was thought to be its country of origin.
• The Turkish War inspired the song' We Don't Want To Fight But By Jingo If We Do'.