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45 Fascinating “Today I Learned” Posts That May Leave You Questioning Reality (New Facts)
Interview With Expert
Today, we have access to more information than ever before in human history. You don’t even need to visit a library to learn about history or science, and there are dozens of different methods for acquiring knowledge. Yet for some reason, more and more people are relying on artificial intelligence to spit out information, rather than working on expanding their own understanding of the world.
So if you’re interested in learning some fun facts (and bettering your chances at trivia night), we’ve got the perfect list for you right here. We took a trip to the Today I Learned subreddit and compiled some of their most intriguing posts down below. Keep reading to also find conversations with trivia experts David Jacobson, Founder and CEO of TrivWorks™, and Denny Grizzle, Owner of Pour House Trivia. And be sure to upvote the facts you plan to impress your friends with!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
TIL when Great British Bake Off hosts Mel and Sue would see a contestant crying out of frustration or disappointment, they would use their coats to block the person from cameras, or start swearing a lot, so the footage was unusable
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#2
TIL Grant Imahara made a lifelike Baby Yoda robot to visit children in hospitals and cheer them up before he passed away
#3
TIL that a cat named Tommy called 911 to help its owner, Gary, who had fallen from his wheelchair and couldn't get up. Gary had tried to train Tommy to call 911, but never expected it to work.
To learn more about the wild world of fun facts, we got in touch with a couple of trivia experts: David Jacobson, Founder and CEO of TrivWorks™, and Denny Grizzle, Owner of Pour House Trivia. They were kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and discuss what they love most about trivia.
"As a professional trivia event writer, producer and host for almost 20 years, what I love most about trivia is the way people get excited about it," David shared. "It's an incredibly rewarding feeling to correctly answer to a piece of trivia, especially if it's something nostalgic you haven't thought about in a long time, such as a pop culture reference."
#4
TIL Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister) always ended scenes with co-star Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) by apologizing for his character's awful comments and behavior. Dance said Dinklage is "the most adorable man. After all those scenes, I apologize to him" because "I have to treat him like sh*t."
"From my perspective running trivia events for corporate audiences, there's really nothing better than seeing the reaction people have when their team gets an answer correct!" David continued. "I also love the challenge of finding that 'sweet spot' between questions that aren't too easy, but aren't too hard either - what I call 'tip of the tongue' questions. Those are extremely rewarding for people to get right - including me!"
#5
TIL that Weird Al Yankovic doesn't need permission (under US copyright law) to make a parody of someone's song. He does so as a personal rule to maintain good relationships.
Kim Kermes 2 weeks ago
The only person to say no was Prince. I believe it was Michael Jackson who said he knew he'd made it when Weird Al asked.
As for Denny, he says his favorite aspects of trivia are "the camaraderie and the opportunity to hang out with friends and play a game while challenging ourselves."
#6
TIL a Royal Marine lost part of his "You'll Never Walk Alone" tattoo after a leg amputation, leaving "You'll Never Walk"—now he uses it as a joke in speeches and has become a gold medalist and record-chasing runner.
#7
TIL Steven Spielberg offered Tom Sizemore a role in Saving Private Ryan (1998) under the condition that he would be given a drug test at the end of every day of filming, and if he failed even one time, all his scenes would be re-shot with someone else. He stayed clean and completed the movie.
Next, we asked the experts if they could share some of their favorite fun facts that they've picked up from the trivia world.
"My strength as a trivia writer is in pop culture (TV/movies, music, celebrity news, fads, etc.) - however, trivia events need to be well-rounded with general knowledge questions, as well as questions specific to the audience: company history, industry-specific facts, etc.," David says.
"Through this, I've learned some really fun things I never knew about before I became a trivia professional: The largest bottle of wine is called a 'Nebuchadnezzar,' which can hold about 20 regular-sized bottles," he shared. "The only country in the world today with a head of state using the title 'Emperor' is Japan."
#8
TIL Eminem wrote 'Brain Damage' about his actual childhood bully, DeAngelo Bailey. Bailey boasted in an interview that he gave Eminem a concussion so bad, his ears bled and he lost his vision. He had also attempted to sue Eminem for slander in 2001. A judge dismissed the claim in the form of a rap.
Nadine Debard 2 weeks ago
"Mr. Bailey complains that his rap is trash / so he’s seeking compensation in the form of cash. / Bailey thinks he’s entitled to some monetary gain / because Eminem used his name in vain. / The lyrics are stories no one would take as fact / they’re an exaggeration of a childish act. / It is therefore this court’s ultimate position, / that Eminem is entitled to summary disposition."
"The longest nonstop commercial flight in the world (19 hours) is between New York City and Singapore. There's only 2 'double landlocked' countries in the world (landlocked countries, which are completely surrounded by other landlocked countries): Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein," David continued.
"Also, plenty of pop culture fun facts I never knew before: Limahl, the lead singer of Kajagoogoo, also sang 'The Neverending Story' theme. Only 2 teams of the original NBA still play in their original host cities (Knicks & Celtics)," the expert shared. "Actor Bruce Willis released an album on Motown Records in 1987 ('The Return of Bruno'). The small divots on golf balls are called 'dimples.'"
#9
TIL Napoleon had planned an invasion of the UK but it was never carried out. Preparations were financed by the sale of the Louisiana territory to the US which the US financed with a loan from a British bank, so Britain was indirectly funding an invasion of itself.
"The animal with the highest blood pressure is the giraffe," Denny told Bored Panda. "Their blood pressure can reach up to 280/180 mmHg, which is more than double the normal human blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg."
The trivia expert also added that "bananas are radioactive!"
#10
TIL a 35-yr-old man found an age-progression image of himself on a missing children's site in 2010. Though he knew he was adopted, this would lead to him discovering that his mom had kidnapped him from his dad when he was an infant 34 years earlier.
#11
TIL that in 1900, a physician named Jesse William Lazear wanted to prove that yellow fever was transmitted by mosquitoes. He allowed an infected mosquito to bite him, and he became infected with yellow fever, proving his hypothesis correct. He died 17 days later.
And if you're looking to expand your knowledge on random topics, the experts have some advice. "The best way to learn fun facts on a range of trivia topics is to completely immerse yourself in self-learning opportunities, utilizing a variety of media formats," David shared. "Reading extensively is key - not just the news and nonfiction, but fiction as well. You'd be surprised how many fun facts you can pick up from novels!"
"For pop culture, it's really a matter of keeping your eyes and ears open to what's happening around you: listen to different types of music, watch popular TV shows/movies, pay attention to the gossip news, etc.," he continued. "For those who are serious about getting better at trivia for competitive reasons - say, if you want to dominate a pub quiz, or audition for a TV game show - you should also be studying (or better yet, memorizing) lists of commonly referenced trivia topics: world capitals, award winners, chemical elements, etc."
#12
TIL Beethoven was challenged to a piano duel by pianist Daniel Steibelt, who tried to bend the rules by handing Beethoven a Cello and Piano piece instead of just a Piano piece. Unfazed, Beethoven turned the score upside down, played it, then improvised on the inversed themes for half an hour.
"Best way to learn, for real, is to play pub trivia!" Denny added. "You could memorize lists as well (e.g. presidents/VP/first ladies; world capitals; largest animals, Oscar winners, etc.), but it's great to play to put that knowledge to the test to cement it."
#13
TIL Jazz musician, Fats Waller, was kidnapped by 4 men and “given” to Al Capone as a birthday gift. He performed for 3 days and was found drunk with thousands of dollars in cash stuffed in his pockets.
#14
TIL that when a celebratory dinner in honour of recent Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. did not garner enough support in his native Atlanta, J. Paul Austin, CEO of Coca-Cola, threatened to pull his business out of the city - within two hours of this announcement tickets were sold out.
Multa Nocte 2 weeks ago
NPR - "Back in 1964, social conservatives in Atlanta refused to support an integrated dinner honoring Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. But then Coca-Cola put its giant corporate foot down, and changed Atlanta's history. Shortly after King won the Nobel Prize, event invitations went out to Atlanta's elite. Almost no one responded. A worried Mayor Ivan Allen appealed to the former president of Coca-Cola. Although no longer in charge, Robert Woodruff was arguably the most powerful person in town. The New York Times published a front-page story about the tepid response King was getting in his own hometown, and Austin decided to flex Coca-Cola's muscle. The ultimatum worked. The event quickly sold out, says Mark Pendergrast, author of Of God, Country and Coca-Cola."
Finally, David added that people love trivia for a variety of reasons. "It's rewarding, it's informative, and in a competitive setting it's a great opportunity to show off your smarts in a fun way," he told Bored Panda. "But what I, as a trivia professional, also see is that trivia is a fantastic way for people to bond. Even if you don't know folks you're playing trivia with, you most likely have some shared common knowledge you didn't even realize!"
#15
TIL peanut allergies plummet by 77% if they're added to babies' diets at 4-6 months of age
Jaya 2 weeks ago
Same for eggs. If you start adding a bit of peanut(butter)/egg to a baby's diet before they're 8 months old, the chance of developing peanut allergy or egg allergy goes down a lot. In the Netherlands they recommend starting at 4 months old, especially for babies with eczema or who have a higher risk of developing allergies.
Denny echoed a similar sentiment. "Pub Trivia can have a positive on mental health by boosting cognitive function, reducing stress, and encouraging social interaction."
So what are you waiting for, pandas? Sign up for that trivia night!
#16
TIL that Measles infection causes "immune amnesia" which causes your immune system to forget how to fight pathogens that you had previously obtained immunity to.
Jerome Lenovo 2 weeks ago
thanks to m0ron kennedy, its back. Is america great already ? https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025
#17
TIL that a boy was trapped in his own body for 12 years, fully conscious but unable to move or speak. Doctors thought he was in a vegetative state, but he later regained the ability to communicate and wrote a book about his experience.
#18
TIL that James Dean was most likely bisexual and had relations with several men and women throughout his career. When questioned on his orientation, he said "No, I am not a homosexual. But I'm also not going to go through life with one hand tied behind my back."
Krystle Deschene 2 weeks ago
Is it a little known fact, or is it "most likely"? Hard to believe anything on here anymore honestly. However side note, good for him, be who ever the heck you wanna be.
#19
TIL: Most outlet stores don’t sell leftovers from regular stores—they sell cheaper, lower-quality versions made just for outlets. The “compare at” prices and big discounts? Often fake. You think you’re getting a deal, but it’s not the same product. (California Department of Justice)
Jrog 2 weeks ago
That is not true, at least outside of some very specific instance or store (in California?). Brand outlet stores typically sell products that are outside of their prime retail time (typically, one year after the initial release), or sell the regular lineup in a less refined store environment. Having less attendants, less expensive furniture, less refined environment, higher volumes means they can keep the prices lower. Also, many non-luxury brands outlets have a "second rate" selection where products with minor manufacturing defects (typically labeling or packaging) are sold for a discount
#20
TIL Good Will Hunting was only able to film on location at Harvard after alumnus John Lithgow intervened. Harvard had initially denied the movie access to film on its campus. However, Lithgow asked the movie's location manager what he wanted and then made a phone call which ultimately delivered it.
#21
TIL Warren Buffett's son Peter, at 19, received the only inheritance he'll ever be given for personal use: $90K worth of Berkshire Hathaway stock. It was understood that he should expect nothing more. It'd be worth $300m today, but he sold it back then to start his music career & doesn't regret it.
GirlFriday 2 weeks ago
I have read interviews given by Warren's grandchildren, and they said that they were told from a young age their inheritance was an education. Grandpa Warren would pay for each child to receive a college or trade school education of their choice, but afterwards they were expected to earn their own way through life.
#22
TIL that teen pregnancy rates in the US are less than a quarter what they were in the 90s!
#23
TIL that American military pilot call signs--nicknames the pilots go by--are often based on mistakes the pilot made, and get assigned early in their career.
Spencer Arnold 2 weeks ago
Imagine if the worst thing they did was use the wrong wine for a meal during a formal dinner? "Call Sign: Beaujolais".
#24
TIL that in Japan, more diapers are now sold for elderly people than for babies, reflecting the country’s aging population and shifting demographics.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 weeks ago
They do have the highest life expectancy, I think it’s in the high 80s or low 90s
#25
TIL Mississippi refused to air Sesame Street in 1970 due to its mixed-race cast.
#26
TIL of triathlete Lesley Paterson, who dedicated her race winnings to maintaining the film rights to one of her favorite books. She almost lost them in 2015 until competing and winning with a broken shoulder. It took 16 years and $200k, but she eventually made All Quiet on the Western Front (2022).
#27
TIL that when Victor Hugo died in 1885, some Parisian brothels reportedly closed for a day to mourn his passing.
#28
TIL that popes cannot be organ donors because their body becomes property of the church upon their death. This rule invalidated Pope Benedict’s organ donor card, which he had held since the 1970s.
#29
TIL in 2019 a man died less than 12 hours after eating a hot fishcake that burned his throat, causing it to swell so much that he choked to death. The doctor who performed the autopsy said the symptoms were normally seen in people involved in house fires, caused by smoke inhalation.
#30
TIL the habit of sitting on the toilet too long, even if one isn't straining, significantly increases the risk of hemorrhoids
#31
TIL that in the 1790s, France had a network of signalling towers that could send messages by writing symbols using giant mechanical arms on towers. They could send complex messages across the entire country in ~1 hour. These were precursors to electric telegraphs.
#32
TIL Steven Spielberg told movie stars that if they wanted to work with him, a prerequisite was that they gambled along with him by not taking any salary upfront and instead only taking backend compensation. He said "...if my film makes no money I get no money. They should be prepared to do the same"
Harry Gondalf 2 weeks ago
Actually the actors don't work for free during production. Against union rules. They get paid scale. Segourney weaver got scale for Alien. she got $1M for Aliens.
#33
TIL during a scene in The Shawshank Redemption in which a crow was to be fed a maggot, the American Humane Society objected against the idea of a live animal being k*lled for the scene meaning the team had to find and use a maggot that had died of natural causes.
#34
TIL that in 2011, the Mexican ambassador in London complained to the BBC and demanded an apology from "Top Gear" presenter Richard Hammond, after Hammond called the Mexicans 'lazy, feckless, flatulent and overweight' on the show
#35
TIL Matt Damon wrote the first draft of Good Will Hunting's first act as an assignment in a playwriting class during his fifth year at Harvard. The only scene that survived verbatim from that "40-some-odd-page document" was the scene where Damon's character & Robin Williams' character first meet.
Chewie Baron 2 weeks ago (edited)
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck just need to win Oscars for Acting and they’ll join a club that currently only Emma Thompson is a member of, people who’ve won Oscars for Acting and Writing.
#36
TIL During the filming of The Godfather, Marlon Brando refused to memorize his lines, and would read them off cards attached anywhere from trees in the background to fellow actors.
#37
TIL in 1978, Leo Ryan,member of the U.S. House of Representative traveled to Guyana to investigate claims that people were being held against their will by Jim Jones at the Peoples Temple Jonestown settlement. He was shot and k*lled there, as he and his party were attempting to leave.
#38
TIL one of the biggest drug busts in the world was in Sylmar, CA. 20 tons of c***ine, worth $6 billion and about 5% of the world’s annual production, was left unguarded and secured with a $6 padlock.
Bruce Mardle 2 weeks ago
A few decades ago, I read in my local newspaper that someone had been tried for possession of £10,000 of the same. His defence was that he'd found it on the beach. That was accepted. Months later it became public that a smuggler's boat had been apprehended not far from the beach. Presumably while the smuggler was chucking it overboard.
#39
TIL that in 1878, US Supreme Court Justice Ward Hunt suffered a stroke which thereafter left him unable to either attend court sessions or to render opinions. Yet he refused to resign for another 4 years, his sole reason being to stay long enough to claim his pension.
#40
TIL a woman secretly kept her lover hidden in her attic for over a decade; he emerged only to k*ll her husband
#41
TIL Fidel Castro has long tried to breed a “super cow” that would give much more milk than ordinary cows. And one day the Cuban scientists succeeded. It was immediately dubbed a miracle of socialism, and after death, Ubre Blanca was even honored with a monument
#42
TIL height surgery is a thing— (mostly) men are enduring months of pain, bone-breaking procedures, and intense rehab just to get a few inches taller.
#43
TIL Frank Herbert’s Dune was rejected by twenty publishers, and was finally accepted by Chilton, which was primarily known for car repair manuals.
Jrog 2 weeks ago
Eh, not really. Dune had already been published as a serialised novel in Analog Magazine, to great success. But, publishing it as a book would have been commercially unfeasible for the sheer size of the novel, and it would have been way too expensive compared the $1.95-$2.95 target price for a book at the time ($20-30 today). Herbert proposed splitting it in two books (that later became three), but it was a novel concept that no affirmed editor felt comfortable with. It was not unheard of, but Tolkien did the same a decade earlier and he himself had a lot of troubles finding a publisher.
#44
TIL in 2022, a dispute between Pantone and Adobe resulted in the removal of Pantone color coordinates from Photoshop and Adobe's other design software, causing colors in graphic artists' digital documents to be replaced with black unless artists paid Pantone a separate $15 monthly subscription fee.
#45
TIL in 2014, the daughter of the chairman of Korean Air flew into a rage when she was served macadamia nuts in a packet instead of a plate while on a Korean Air flight. She forced the flight attendant who served her the nuts to apologise on his knees, ejected him from the flight, and demoted him.
Lost Panda 2 weeks ago
She ended up causing a whole mess of trouble for her entire family, and her father had to step down from the company.(If this is the same story I remember)
Note: this post originally had 70 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.
What do you think ?
Alan Lauria 2 weeks ago
Re #4...Paul Mccartney refused Al 'Live and Let Die' to make 'Chicken Pot Pie' because Paul is a vegetarian.
Nikole 2 weeks ago
Ha that’s awesome. And I’ve been told if you play “Maybe I’m Amazed” backwards, you’ll hear a recipe for a really ripping lentil soup!
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Alan Lauria 2 weeks ago
Re #4...Paul Mccartney refused Al 'Live and Let Die' to make 'Chicken Pot Pie' because Paul is a vegetarian.
Nikole 2 weeks ago
Ha that’s awesome. And I’ve been told if you play “Maybe I’m Amazed” backwards, you’ll hear a recipe for a really ripping lentil soup!
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