Post something you've learnt today

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

The French regulatory authority struggles a bit when it comes to non-EU branches of EU banks.............but comes up with the right answer eventually.

[Phil T]

I learned a new word today and what it meant: 'mondegreen'

[JQW]

The Netherlands radio station Radio Nationaal's AM transmitter is actually based in Suffolk.

[Minnie the Minx]

In 1778, the Royal Family and all of fashionable society went to the christening of 3rd Duke of Chandos's daughter. But, under the glare of the lights and the weight of the lavishly embroidered christening robe, the child went into convulsions and died the next day. 11 years later, the Duke himself died when his wife accidentally pulled his chair out from under him as he went to sit down.

[harvey k-tel]

In 1778, the Royal Family and all of fashionable society went to the christening of 3rd Duke of Chandos's daughter. But, under the glare of the lights and the weight of the lavishly embroidered christening robe, the child went into convulsions and died the next day. 11 years later, the Duke himself died when his wife accidentally pulled his chair out from under him as he went to sit down.

What sort of glaring lights would they have had in 1778?

[Minnie the Minx]

In 1778, the Royal Family and all of fashionable society went to the christening of 3rd Duke of Chandos's daughter. But, under the glare of the lights and the weight of the lavishly embroidered christening robe, the child went into convulsions and died the next day. 11 years later, the Duke himself died when his wife accidentally pulled his chair out from under him as he went to sit down.

What sort of glaring lights would they have had in 1778?

1,347,993 candles

[quix]

today is January 25th, not 24th

today is january the 25th and not the 26th.

[Nolamike]

In 1778, the Royal Family and all of fashionable society went to the christening of 3rd Duke of Chandos's daughter. But, under the glare of the lights and the weight of the lavishly embroidered christening robe, the child went into convulsions and died the next day. 11 years later, the Duke himself died when his wife accidentally pulled his chair out from under him as he went to sit down.

What sort of glaring lights would they have had in 1778?

1,347,993 candles

Muzzle-loading lasers?

[no one]

today is January 25th, not 24th

today is january the 25th and not the 26th.

that too

[Charlie O.]

today is January 25th, not 24th

today is january the 25th and not the 26th.

that too

You're both wrong - it's the 27th!

[Charlie O.]

It's not so much that I learnt, as much as I have gained wonderful new insight from this interview I read today. This being my favourite quote from it:

There is a wonderful Freudian formulation, which is that loneliness is failed solitude. In many ways we are forgetting the intellectual and emotional value of solitude. You’re not lonely in solitude. You’re only lonely if you forget how to use solitude to replenish yourself and to learn. And you don’t want a generation that experiences solitude as loneliness. And that is something to be concerned about, because if kids feel that they need to be connected in order to be themselves, that’s quite unhealthy. They’ll always feel lonely, because the connections that they’re forming are not going to give them what they seek.

Right on!

Though I don't think it's a "generational" thing.

[Monkberry]

acc. to whoever wrote Plutarch's wiki Alexander the Great 'very often lost it!' Not very scholarly like language!

[John Barleykorn]

Jose Morinho has won a major knockout comp every year since 2003. With 4 different clubs in 4 different leagues. I knew he had been sucessfull, but .....

[souphound]

I just learned that today is Maundy Thursday in the UK. I'd never heard of it.

[souphound]

Jose Morinho has won a major knockout comp every year since 2003. With 4 different clubs in 4 different leagues. I knew he had been sucessfull, but .....

Lordy, that's quite the Wiki entry!

[doctorlouie]

The astronauts that went to the moon only got the regular per diem payment for being on a mission in addition to their normal pay. Deductions were made for bed and board.

[savoirefaire]

That Stephen Colbert did a cover of "Friday" last friday on the Jimmy Fallon show:

[youtube]eLAMhTorPCk&feature=related[/youtube]

[Monkberry]

On 5 January 1990, addressing Conservatives in Liverpool, Enoch Powell claimed that if the Conservatives played the "British card" at the next general election they could win! Now what exactly is the 'British card' I wonder?

[Monkberry]

One of Churchill's hobbies was bricklaying which is why he was a member of The Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers

[Monkberry]

Elephant's used to be hunted by prehisotric people in what is now the U.K!