April 7, 2015

A prolate spheroid is the name for shape of ball used in Rugby

1. The shape of the ball used in Rugby is called a "prolate spheroid." This shape is characterised by a polar radius (a) that is greater than equatorial radius (b).


2. An American Football can more accurately be describe by the term "vesica piscis." In Latin it literally means "fish bladder," and is a term for the shape formed by the intersection of two equal circles whose centers are offset by a distance equal to the circle radii.

Photo Credit

March 6, 2015

A group of frogs is called an army of frogs or a knot of frogs

1. A group of frogs is called an army of frogs or a knot of frogs. Other interesting names for group of animals:
-A bale of turtles
-A gaggle of geese (while on ground)
-A skein of geese (while in flight)
-A skulk of foxes
-A cloud of bats

February 27, 2015

It costs $300/day to shoot a movie in SF

1. The daily fee to shoot a TV Series, Movie, Pilot, Web Series, or Documentary in San Francisco is $300/day.

February 20, 2015

The wasabi served at most sushi restaurants is actually a blend of horseradish, mustard, and food coloring

1. The wasabi served at most sushi restaurants is a blend of horseradish, mustard and food coloring. The wasabi from the actual wasabi plant (pictured below), has a smoother taste without the lingering burning sensation.

picture links (left, right)

2. The voter turnout for the 2014 midterm elections in CA was 31.8%. Nationally, at 36.3%, the turnout was the worst in 72 years and only second after 1942 at 33.9%

Son Doong Cave (Vietnam), discovered in 2009, is the world's largest cave

1. Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng national park (a UNESCO world heritage site) is home to the world's largest cave, Son Doonge Cave. It was discovered by a team of British cavers lead by Howard Limbert, in 2009.


Link to Picture

2. There are a total of 962 World Heritage Sites with Italy having the most with 50.

February 17, 2015

Humphry Davy invented the arc lamp in 1809

1. Humphry Davy is credited with creating the first electric light in 1809 by connecting two wires attached to a charcoal strip and batteries. Today this is known as an arc lamp. In addition to the arc lamp, Davy was the first scientist to isolate Potassium and Sodium and was the first to point out that Oxygen was not the principle of acidity.

February 15, 2015

Dietrich Mateschitz, the Austrian founder of Red-Bull, took 10 years to finish college

1. Dietrich Mateschitz is an Austrian entrepreneur who co-founded Red-Bull in 1987 after drinking a similar drink in Thailand called "Kratin Daeng" (Red Water Buffalo). Mateschitz took 10 years to graduate with a marketing degree from Vienna University. Reb Bull spends nearly 40% of its revenue on marketing, Coca-Cola spends about 9%.
2. Stephen Curry had the highest total points scored in the NBA 3-point contest. He scored 27 of possible 34 points. However, Jason Kapono (2008) and Craig Hodges (1986) both scored a 25 when the maximum possible score was 30, giving them a higher point percentage.

June 2, 2013

pHstands for potenz Hydrogen "power of Hydrogen"

1. The pH, a unit of measuring hydrogen ions in solution, was discovered by the Danish scientist Søren Peder Lauritz Sørensen. While the H simply stands for the Hydrogen molecule that this unit measures, the p stands for "potenz," which in German means power. This acronym also works in French "pouvior Hydrogen," also meaning "power of Hydrogen."

May 23, 2013

Impetuous (adj.)

1. Impetuous (adj): Characterized by sudden excitement; impulsive yet passionate.
-The impetuosity of the scientist often lead to long working hours.

May 7, 2013

Prattle (v. or n.)

1. Prattle (v. or n.): To talk foolishly.
-George W. Bush's prattling warranted the name "Bushism" and the calendar series where each day was a different saying.
An example: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." Source (about.com). Hilarious audio clip here.