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People acquire different knowledge depending on their age. You start to realize that the sun still exists even when the night comes and you can’t see it, and that the moon is also always there, so it’s not surprising to sometimes see it during the day.

You learn these kinds of facts by experiencing them, reading about them or talking about them with someone else. But sometimes they just don’t come up and you end up not knowing what is obvious for everybody else. It is never too late to learn, but you can’t help but feel embarrassed when you’re the last one to find out something.

Reddit user PralineStriking wanted people to remember that embarrassment and asked what things they learnt at an age that seemed too late for them and the thread got over 18k answers. We collected some of the best ones and we would like to know if you found anything that you experienced as well. If not, share your own facts you learnt at a late age that you should have known about earlier in life in the comments!

More info: Reddit

#1

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That narwhals are real. I thought they were cute mythological creatures, until I saw a brooch a friend had and asked if it was part of the companies mythological line. She asked me if I thought narwhals were myths, like unicorns. I laughed and said of course they are.

I was 35.

katikaboom , Jessica Simpson Report

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Kitty Kat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're marketed as the unicorns of the sea, so I can see why people would think this.

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#2

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That I needed glasses. At age 21 my friends were hassling me about being dyslexic because I kept getting words mixed up (second year at Uni). Until then, I had just been reading by looking at the shape of words and guessing the words based on the context and wider story. I had been reading this way for years and survived Uni before finding out my prescription was +1.50. The optometrist said it was amazing I hadn’t noticed. When I put the glasses on, everything was in 4K Ultra. I can now see individual letters.

CasualPhilosopher25 , Nate Steiner Report

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dundun avatar
DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When I put the glasses on, everything was in 4K Ultra" We all who wear glasses felt that

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#3

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That the more work you get done at work, the more they will pile it on. I could have saved a lot of my mental health in my 20’s

Miserable-Penalty188 , Christmas w/a K Report

#4

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) “Paradigm” is pronounced “pear-uh-dime”. It is definitely NOT pronounced “pear-uh-dig-um”.

…I learned this at age 19. In college. While delivering an oral report.

I try not to think about.

ItsPaulKerseysCar , Helder da Rocha Report

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#5

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That Abuela and Abuelo were not my Cuban grandparents actual names

MarzipanJoy-Joys , Hugo Chisholm Report

#6

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I thought everyone’s mouth got itchy when eating bananas. Almost 40 years old and find out I’m somewhat allergic to them.

tbr6742 , Amaury Laporte Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's called oral allergy syndrome. It really sucks, at least it's only bananas for you. My list of fruit and veg that affects me gets longer every year.

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#7

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) The Lion King is basically Hamlet. That was Monday. I'm 41.

west_end_squirrel , Loren JavierFollow Report

#8

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) The the longest time I always heard of sports teams “Drafting” people. And I am tall, so as a kid I was constantly afraid I’d get drafted for the state basketball team just out of the blue, I thought it worked like a military draft.

I learned this wasn’t the case when I was like 10-12.

Asone2004 , cruisedotco Report

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#9

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That if you wear a white bra, you can see it through a l white shirt, but if you wear a nude colored bra, you can’t. I was 40 when a coworker shared this with me.

midwesternvalues73 , Gabriel White Report

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Valerie G.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same thing holds for wearing white panties under white slacks. You need to wear nude coloured ones under those.

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#10

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That sodas were called soft drinks because they had no alcohol lol

zejus_christ , supcece Report

#11

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That you can flush used toilet paper. Parents taught us as kids to throw away the paper in the trash can for fear of backing up the toilet. Wasn’t until college that I realized my parents were accustomed to that method because they had s***ty plumbing where they grew up in Central America

f**kintacos , Carlos ZGZ Report

#12

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Wasn't until I was 21 when I drank Lactose Free milk and DIDN'T go sit on a toilet for an hour that I realized I am lactose intolerant. I thought it was normal to s**t constantly after drinking milk.

xeredge , Neil Turner Report

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jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 21 years, you never met anybody who didn't rush to the toilet after dairy products?

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#13

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) It’s “for all intents and purposes” not “for all intensive purposes”

charlessturgeon , Trevor Pritchard Report

#14

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That our next door neighbors were lesbians and not just “good friends”. Lovely people. Didn’t figure it out until I was in college

secretbaldspot , Les Chatfield Report

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jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully nobody told you they were good friends to avoid talking about same-sex couples with you.

hgreig12 avatar
H G
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, that's most likely what happened. My aunt had a "roommate" for years while I was growing up. It wasn't until I was well into my teens that my sister pointed out that they weren't just roommates.

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Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those two single women who never date men, have a lot of cats and have lived together for forty years? Very good friends.

galhazut avatar
Plenty Pineapples
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems to me you're probably just a nice decent person who minds their own f*****g business

harri_ellis avatar
HarriMissesScotland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a gay brother, but that didn't stop me from not realizing a male friend of 10 years was gay. 4 of my friends actually made a bet about whether I knew or not. They knew it wouldn't change a thing, but I got teased about it for years.

glowworm2 avatar
glowworm2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look as long as you didn't have any problems with them and found them lovely, I don't see anything to be embarrassed about. My neighbors across the street were two guys who lived together. Once one of them moved out, it was revealed that they were actually together. I wasn't really that surprised though. They're still close though and the one guy has a new partner.

landaulitewski avatar
Jaaawn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My partner and I are just 'good friends' as we have just moved into a new home and are unsure of the new neighbours.

jimmylewis avatar
harri_ellis avatar
HarriMissesScotland
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess so. On the other hand, I had a male gay friend show up at my house one night dressed to the nines in a gorgeous 50's style dress, heels, and amazing make-up. He figured it was time for me to know that he loved vintage fashion. He came to take a group of us dancing, but I told him I could never live up to his style and beauty. He laughed, made me get dressed and away we went. He was 6'5" without heels. I was truly jealous :-)

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lynneharbison avatar
Shortstuff
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aged 50, I realised my parents good friends were gay and not flatmates. They were my surrogate uncles, and the kindest, most generous people you could ever meet. I miss you Eric and Danny. xx

holtayden8 avatar
socially inept idiot
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol it’s okay, I always assume people who are dating are just good friends until I find out otherwise. I don’t know why, but I always seem to forget that romantic relationships are a thing lol

nickyoldfielddesciple avatar
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My great aunt's daughter was gay and lived with her girlfriend. Everybody knew they were a couple except her despite it being blatantly obvious as they were always very affectionate to each other.

lyndsey-macd avatar
LynzCatastrophe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry. I grew up in a small town that's basically shut off from the world, I didn't know this could be an option till I moved away and discovered relationships between people can be other than man and woman. I wasn't taught that it was bad, I just never knew it was an option. I think that may have been a blessing in disguise to never have been taught about it because it simply didn't bother me. I was like "oh, that's different" and never saw an issue. Now I march in gay pride parades with friends.

camaroaustin avatar
Keisha
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was what people have said about lesbians for years sometimes even spinsters. Men were called confirmed bachelor's.

zoponex avatar
zoponex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same for my aunt and her "best friend" with whom she lived for many, many years.

abbyharrison3892 avatar
Abby Harrison
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yup this is me, with my autism and sheltering aunt. i didnt think anything of her, female friends comeing over, and theyd sleep in the same bed together. i did the same thing and sleep overs. so i thought it was just because of space issues. wasnt until i was 15, she came out n explained her being gay, to me. ues i am that oblivious to things like that. even now at age 30.

kellyshields avatar
Kelly Shields
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had two elderly woman live next door and they constantly had the children & teens of the town think that they were secretly a couple, of course they always denied it. I lived next door and genuinely believe that they were just 2 friends who moved in together after their husbands died. They were best friends but I never got a feeling of anything more from either of them.

pessashuman avatar
Shanon Hawthorne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love is love. gay. straight, black, white, brown, christian, muslim, catholic, mormon, etc we are all human and we all deserve love , equality and respect.

seymourstapleton0611 avatar
Donna Stapleton
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soo thankful for the evolution. Cant wait for the day after tomorrow. Or rather... More like The 100! Everyone loves everyone. The end.

cecilialoos avatar
CCLoos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lolz I lived with a female friend of mine for 15 years and we were like family. Everyone assumed we were lesbians.

nightshade1972 avatar
Nightshade1972
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the mid 1960s, my mother started college at IL Wesleyan (Methodist). She left in disgust after a semester when she realized, to her horror (eyeroll), that the two girls across the hall from her were lesbians who pushed their beds together. Years later, when I came out as queer and my wife came out as trans, she sneered and told us that she "just didn't think her religion would allow her to support us." "That's okay...we weren't asking your permission!"

backatya7 avatar
backatya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

didn't figure it out until I heard them enjoying themselves sexually when I saw them through the window

jasonramirez avatar
Jason ramirez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless you were a lesbian interested in older ladies...not sure it matters

stephawilson avatar
Stepha Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought the Mormons that lived in the same complex as my mom and me were a gay couple bc I never saw them in their missionary garb. It took me like a year and seeing them at LDS to realize.

username_2 avatar
Marty Graw
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg, I wonder if my uncles are really just saving money by sharing a house. I mean one is Hispanic but I just always thought, omfg.

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Alicia GriffonLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma referred to the guy my uncle brought home from the navy as his good friend. He came to one christmas party, but i got the impression he was only allowed in the covered back porch. Still not sure if he was his boyfriend or not. I have only seen my uncle a handful of times in my life, and i kinda got shunned for a few years due to me harassing my grandparents to stop smoking. :/

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#15

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Ponies are NOT baby horses

phrygN , Rigothamus Report

#16

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Womens pads stick to their underwear and not themselves like a band-aid.

brettrknowlton , pikulkeaw_333 Report

#17

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I learned how to ride a bike at the ripe age of 24

newhvac Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's okay...we all learn something new everyday, it's not mandatory for you to learn this when you're a kid.

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#18

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Baby carrots are just shaved down big carrots. I was devastated a few years ago.

Txflood3 , dee m Report

#19

At roughly 37, I learned pineapples grew from the ground. Not from a tree.

Human_Watch4506 Report

#20

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Corned beef wasn’t made by cattle that were strictly fed corn. My mom couldn’t stop laughing.

Ilikestarwarstoo , Frank Hebbert Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just me or is corned beef a lot less affordable these days than it used to be? It seems very expensive for what it is.

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#21

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That sea horses are not roughly the size of penguins. In fact, they are incredibly tiny. Stupid Saturday morning cartoons!

ninjaskooldropout , Krishna Santhanam Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg, you should see the pygmy seahorse, it is super duper teeny tiny, it's just so damn cute.

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#22

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That puffer fish don't use air to inflate.

skewed-perceptions , Bernard Spragg. NZ Report

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was today years old.... Actually, it's obvious (cause where would they get the air), but who stops to think about it? At least I didn't.

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#23

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That puffins are in fact NOT extinct. I had a 3rd grade teacher misinform me. I found the truth as a teenager in an embarrassing group setting where I was quite confidently wrong.

shofawnda , Matthew Britton Report

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DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a moment I was like "Where are the legs of that bird in the picture!?" Then I put my glasses on :)

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#24

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Washington state and Washington DC are two different places.

PotatoesPancakes , SounderBruce Report

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DrBronxx
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that's a fair enough misunderstanding to have, especially if you're not from the US.

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#25

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That cows are female and bulls are male. I thought they are two different species

Mary99t , John McIntyre Report

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Eat Dirt Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Technically, a cow is a female that has given birth. Before birth they're called heifers.

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#26

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) At 42 years-old, I realized there is no donkey in Donkey Kong.

Shelsb , SobControllers Report

#27

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That Flo Rida spells Florida. Also will I am was William. Realized this last year. I’ll be 42 in a month lol

boring_prairedude , Eva Rinaldi Report

#28

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I was 20 years old when I learned that salt lamps are indeed made of salt.

I always thought that it was plastic carved into a rock-like shape

CapaxInfini , Tony Cecala Report

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Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of a recent post about putting the salt lamp in the dishwasher to clean it...

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#29

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That roadrunners are not the size of an emu.

PURKITTY , Josh McGinn Report

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glowworm2
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all know Looney Tunes are to blame for this one. They also don't go "Beep! Beep!" aren't colorful and a coyote could easily outrun and catch one without needing an Acme rocket.

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#30

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I was almost 30 when I realized that travelling uphill does not always mean you're travelling north. And similarly rivers can run north because they aren't going "uphill".

I'm not normally that stupid.

Dianacolada , Jeff Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

However long it takes you to travel to a location down south, it will take twice as long on the return journey because you are travelling uphill.

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#31

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That when i deposit cash in the bank, there isn’t a specific money locker just for me.

Financial-Corgi1067 , Steven Depolo Report

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Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was kid I thought all my money went into "my' drawer at the bank, so I made sure to write my name on all my dollar bills!

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#32

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That menstrual fluid isn’t blue. The tampon and pad commercials had me fooled.

Unoriginal920 , ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓ Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We started getting ads where the fluid they use was red. Apparently they got a lot of complaints saying its disgusting and not suitable for TV. F**k that noise, we need to stop periods being a taboo subject and something we need to hide.

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#33

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I thought women get pregnant at a random moment in their life until my friend told me you have to have intercourse in 7th grade.

Ero-2005 , Britt-knee Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have to have intercourse in the 7th grade? That cannot be right....

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#34

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I thought the D is Disney was just some random symbol, kinda like a backwards G. It took me until like 7th grade to realize it and even as an adult I still can’t unsee the backwards G.

Death-By-Lasagna , Mike Mozart Report

#35

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) "TP" stood for Toilet Paper. I thought to "TP someone's house" you just put toilet paper over it to look like a teepee.

crusoestudio , Justin Baeder Report

#36

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I was 16 when I found out you're meant to spit toothpaste out after brushing your teeth, I had always just swallowed it and thought that's just what you do... Idk how tf I don't have flouride poisoning

Charlie483 , Kenneth Lu Report

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User# 6
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, you wont have fluoride poisoning. Safety assessments of toothpaste assume 100% consumption.

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#37

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) I thought an armadillo was a reptile rather than a mammal

failurebeatssuccess , David Shane Report

#38

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) Those containers Chinese food come in unfold into plates.

Brother_Farside , Brad.K Report

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Jihana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not everywhere. Chinese food containers in Austria do not do that.

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#39

Up until 15 I believed If I swallow a seed and then drinks water a tree is going to grow inside me.

SuvenPan Report

#40

“What Did You Learn At An Embarrassingly Late Age?” (40 New Answers) That the game show Wheel of Fortune is named after the tarot card

CurvyNB , morebyless Report

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sofacushionfort
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They did a pilot for “Wheel of Suffering and Desire,” but it didn’t test well with non-Buddhist audiences.

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