February 4, 2016

The nomenclature hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon refers to the location of the same weather phenomenon.

1. The nomenclature hurricane, cyclone, and typhoon refers to the location of the same weather phenomenon. Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific. Typhoon is the term used for Northwest Pacific and in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the event is called a cyclone.

image source: Wikimedia

February 2, 2016

A total of 15 states and 5 US territories hold Caucuses.

1. A total of 15 states and 5 US territories hold Caucuses.


A full list of states can be seen here

November 1, 2015

On six instances an MLB player has been intentionally walked with the bases loaded

1. On six instances an MLB player has been intentionally walked with the bases loaded. In all six cases, the pitching team won the game.

--Abner Dalrymple (1881)
--Nap Lajoie (1901)
--Del Bissonette (1928)
--Bill Nicholson (1944)
--Barry Bonds (1998)
--Josh Hamilton (2008)

September 28, 2015

The indentation at the bottom of a wine/champagne bottle is called a punt

1. The indentation found at the bottom of a wine/champagne bottle is called a punt.













Image Credit: NewAir

September 23, 2015

San Jose was the first capital of California

1. When California gained statehood on September 9, 1850, San Jose served as the first capital for a short time until 1851.

September 21, 2015

A growing moon is said to be "waxing" and a shrinking moon is said to be "waning"

1. A growing moon is said to be "waxing" and a shrinking moon is said to be "waning." The left side of the picture is of a waxing moon and the right is of a waning moon. A mnemonic device to help remember the waxing vs. waning phase is to think of the moon as making a "C" shape during the waning phase and associate the "C" with the word "Ceasing," a synonym for waning.

September 16, 2015

Only Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to be part of the Papal Conclave that elects the next pope

1. Staring in 1970, resulting from a decree of Pope Paul VI, cardinals over the age of 80 when the papacy becomes vacant are not eligible to be part of the Papal Conclave that gathers to elect the next pope. Pope Paul VI also set the maximum number of cardinals that may vote to 120. This number has been changed several times prior to 1970.

September 5, 2015

In 2006, No. 5, by Paul Jackson Pollock became the 5th most expensive painting ever sold--$164M adjusted for inflation

1. Paul Jackson Pollock (born 1912, died 1956) was a painter and influential figure in the abstraction expressionist movement. His 8ft x 4ft mural, No. 5 (painted in 1948) sold in 2006 for $140M ($164M adjusted to 2015 dollars). He stopped naming his works and began just numbering them because he felt it allowed people to look at his work without preconceived ideas.

No. 5, 1948" by Taken from Art Market Watch.com.
Licensed under 
Fair use via Wikipedia.



















August 23, 2015

After US DoD and China's People's Liberation Army, Walmart has the world's 3rd most employees in the world

1. After the United States Department of Defense's 3.2 million employees and China Liberation Army's 2.3 million, Wal-Mart employs the most people in the world at 2.1 million people. McDonald's is fourth with 1.7 million employees if the employees of the franchised locations are counted.

August 8, 2015

There are 12 animals making up the Chinese Zodiac (Shēngxiào)

1. There are 12 animals that make up the Chinese Zodiac (Shēngxiào). In order they are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.