Ask Rachel

Interesting fact: The first known drag balls were held in Harlem in the 1920s. I know for a fact that Tennessee lawmakers don’t know this historical fact, or else they’d have preemptively outlawed drag in, like, the 1870s

Interesting fact: Knitted socks originate in about the 1200s. One must presume, therefore, that the first unbearable sock puppet performances were foisted on parents in about the 1200s as well

Interesting fact: Lawn bowling is not, in fact, the same as bocce ball. This is evidenced in the way that one sport involves cursing the uneven grass in the public park, and the other involves doing so but with a different style of underhand toss.

Interesting fact: The slang word “keister” comes from somewhat uncertain etymology, yet absolutely certain humor quality. So how come I hear nobody but me use it?

Interesting fact: The first Super Bowl was on January 15, which math tells me is more than four weeks before Valentine’s Day. I can’t wait for the first time those two behemoths coincide.

Interesting fact: Why does the term “co-ed” refer to women specifically? I mean, besides the term co-educational coinciding with women co-taking classes with male cohorts. Co-ed really, to be coherent, should concern all students.

Interesting fact: The first time smoking was curtailed in Congress was 1871, when a dozen eggs cost 30 cents.

Interesting fact: International law dictates that all go signals must be green, but due to some linguistic stubbornness, you get traffic lights in Japan that are the bluest possible shade of green.

Interesting fact: The inventor of road striping was following a leaky milk truck down the road when the idea came to him: why not store milk in jugs instead of trucks?

Interesting fact: Electric Christmas lights were a status symbol for many years after being invented. So keeping strands up year-round will impress the heck out of any time travelers from the past.

Interesting fact: Humans share about 60% of our genes with bananas. Also, about 60% with fruit flies. Ergo, fruit flies are made of actual fruit.

Interesting fact: There are airtight (or spacetight) zippers that the astronauts use. I sure hope NASA pays more than $35 for flight suits. 

Interesting fact: Not only are AI illustrations a thing, but we now have AI “culinary research assistants,” which I trust less than a skinny chef.

Interesting fact: Stuffed toys for dogs can simulate either babies to be carried around or prey to be torn apart. I’m a little concerned those roles have so much overlap.

Interesting fact: Americans consume 5 million gallons of jellied cranberry sauce every holiday season, and 73% of them prefer it jellied in the shape of a can. Cran cran, in the shape of cans, cans!

Interesting fact: About 2,200 American local print newspapers folded from 2005-21. All the more impressive that we’re still standing. Let’s see how we’re still standing at closing time on Friday.

Interesting fact: I guess you should feed an aquarium of fish whatever they will eat in about 2-3 minutes. Then try not to get anxious about your own pace of eating.