Stupid, Dumb, Useless, Fascinating Facts That May Or May Not Be True

The Risen Realm ^

[Asphalt]

I can't vouch for the truth of all these, but I would guess most are accurate.

[tfecw]

Well I couldn't get through them all (3/4ths)

But these 2 are definitely wrong.

"Texas is also the only state that is allowed to fly its state flag at the same height as the U.S. flag.

Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate Army, remains the only person, to date, to have graduated from the West Point military academy without a single demerit."

[Asphalt]

i wouldn't know

[The Phantom FReeper]

The right side of a boat was called the starboard side due to the that the astronavigators used to stand out on the plank (which was on the right side) to get an unobstructed view of the stars. The left side was called the port side because that was the side you put in on at the port. This was so that they didn't knock off the starboard!

This is incorrect. The right side of a ship became known as the starboard side because the Vikings, who called each side of their ship a board, had the steering oar or "steer board" on the right side of the ship.

[Asphalt]

again, I wouldn't know

[brivette]

interesting...

[shekkian]

The launching mechanism of a carrier ship that helps planes to take off, ...

... otherwise known as a catapult.

[tfecw]

"i wouldn't know"

Just letting you know so you can edit your list for correctness ;) Interesting stuff though.

[Mad Dawgg]

A duck's quack does echo. I saw it proved on MythBusters Episode 8.

[eastforker]

L believe the Texas flag can be flown at the same level as the US flag since at one time it was a national flag.

[stylin19a]

Public typists work at typewriters charging about 14 cents per page. On a good day, a public typist earns about $3.50.

I wonder... how old is this list ?

[tfecw]

Naw, Flag code has nothing about any exceptions for Texas, or flags of States that were previous nations. Just another one of those urban legends floating around ;)

[eastforker]

You could never tell it around here.Many Texas flags are flown at the same level as the US flag.

[sharktrager]

I want to see a pickup launched from a catapult now.

Scared Bunny Blog
Not for the timid

[eastforker]

art.6139 Texas flag code and excerpt:When the state and United States flags are displayed at the same time, they should be flown on flagpoles of the same height, and the flags should be of approximately equal size. The United States flag should be displayed to the United States flag's right, that is, the observer's left. However, when it is necessary for the state and United States flags to be flown from the same flagpole, the state flag should be displayed underneath the United States flag. When the state flag is displayed on a separate flagpole from the United States flag, the state flag should be hoisted after the United States flag is hoisted and lowered before the United States flag is lowered.

[tfecw]

Well things are gonna get technical on this one :)

This site pretty much has it all.

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/texasflag.asp

Any state flag can fly at the same height as the US flag, it seems that most state's have laws/codes against this, Texas doesn't ;)

I lived in Texas for 7 years. I was on the STUCO in HS and we were talking about a class gift. The Teacher who oversaw STUCO suggested we buy a Texas flag and send it to Austin so it can "Fly over Texas." I said that was a great idea and while we're at it, buy an American flag and send it to DC to be flown over the country. The response form the teacher was "Why would you want to do that"
Sigh, I miss Texas.

[Graybeard58]

If you stretch a standard Slinky out flat it measures 87 feet long.

OK, I just stretched out one of my slinkies and it is only 64 feet long.

I demand a refund.

[Asphalt]

what I was thinking
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[Asphalt]

what brand was it?
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[FourtySeven]

Cool list, I love things like this!