As
the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it's more important than ever to have a diverse set of knowledge at your disposal. Cold knowledge - random, weird, and fascinating facts - can be surprisingly useful in everyday life. Here are some pieces of cold knowledge that will leave you feeling both entertained and enlightened.
1. The word "nerd" was coined by Dr. Seuss Believe it or not, the term "nerd" has been around since the 1950s - and it was first coined by none other than Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. In his book "If I Ran the Zoo," Geisel introduces a character named Ned who is described as a "nerd" with a "beard" and a "shirt that says Werd." The word caught on in popular culture and eventually became the common term we all know today.
2. The two most common languages on the internet are English and Mandarin As of 2021, over
4.9 billion people use the internet - that's almost two-thirds of the world's population! And while the internet can feel like a global melting pot, the majority of content is actually created in just a few languages. English is by far the most common language on the web, with almost 27% of all content written in English. Mandarin Chinese is a close second, accounting for almost 22% of online content.
3. Honey never spoils If you've ever found a jar of honey sitting in your pantry for months on end, you might be worried that it's gone bad. But fear not - honey is one of the only foods that never spoils! This is due to its unique chemical makeup: it contains very little water and is highly acidic, which makes it difficult for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow. In fact, archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are still perfectly edible!
4. The shortest war in history lasted just 38 minutes In 1896, the British Empire declared war on the Zanzibar Sultanate in East Africa. The reason for the conflict was a dispute over who would become the new sultan after the previous ruler had died. The British had backed one candidate, while another had the support of the native people. When the British ultimatum demanding that their candidate be installed was ignored, the Royal Navy launched an attack on Zanzibar's palace. The entire conflict lasted just 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in history.
5. Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not When you think of a berry, you might picture a small, round fruit like a blueberry or raspberry. But did you know that bananas are technically berries, while strawberries are not? Botanists define a berry as a fruit that comes from a single flower with one ovary and a fleshy, edible inside. By that definition, bananas are definitely berries - but strawberries actually come from multiple ovaries on the same flower, which means they're considered an "aggregate fruit" rather than a true berry.
6. A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance If you've ever seen a group of flamingos in the wild, you know how strikingly beautiful they can be. But did you know that a group of flamingos is called a "flamboyance"? The term comes from the French word "flamboyant," which means "flaming," and it's the perfect way to describe these elegant birds as they gather in large flocks. Whether you're looking to impress your friends with your vast knowledge of useless information, or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, these pieces of cold knowledge are sure to come in handy. Who knows - maybe one day you'll even win a game of Trivial Pursuit thanks to one of these tidbits!