130 Weird but True Fun Facts To Amaze and Surprise Everyone

Where’s a shrimp’s heart located? How long was the longest bridal veil? What’s a nurdle? Finding the answers to these questions and more will leave your classroom shook. We’ve put together this list of weird fun facts to surprise and amaze everyone in your classroom.

Our Favorite Weird Fun Facts

1. Australia is wider than the moon.

The moon sits at 3,400 kilometers (2,113 miles) in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 4,000 km (2,485 miles).

Source: Observing the Earth at The European Space Agency

2. Headphones can increase the bacteria in your ears.

Weird fun facts - Headphones can increase the bacteria in your ears.

Wearing headphones for just an hour could increase the bacteria in your ears by 700 times. (Ew!)

Source: Your Ear Gear and Hearing Health at ENT Health

3. Scotland chose the unicorn as its national animal.

Weird fun facts - Scotland chose the unicorn as its national animal.

In Celtic mythology, the fictional creature is connected with both chivalry and dominance as well as purity and innocence.

Source: Scotland and the Unicorn at VisitScotland

4. Avocados are not vegetables.

Weird fun fact - Avocados are not vegetables.

Avocados are fruits because they are single-seeded berries.

Source: Tomatoes and Avocados in the Vegetable Group at U.S. Department of Agriculture

5. The Eiffel Tower gets taller in the summer.

Weird fun fact - Weird fun facts - The Eiffel Tower gets taller in the summer. 

When the iron heats up, the tower can be up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) taller due to thermal expansion.

Source: Why Does the Eiffel Tower Change Size at La Tour Eiffel

6. Human teeth are the only part of the body that can’t heal themselves.

Weird fun fact - Human teeth are the only part of the body that can’t heal themselves. 

Teeth are not made of live tissue and are coated in enamel, which can’t spontaneously regenerate.

Source: Can Tooth Enamel Grow Back? at WebMD

7. Switzerland prohibits the ownership of just one guinea pig.

Weird fun fact - Switzerland prohibits the ownership of just one guinea pig.

Since guinea pigs are such social creatures, one guinea pig would get lonely so having just one is considered animal abuse in Switzerland.

Source: Laws Involving Animals – Real and Mythical at Library of Congress

8. Tigers have striped skin.

Weird fun fact - Tigers have striped skin.

It’s not just striped fur!

Source: Tigers not only have stripes on their fur but also on their skin at Nature Study Society

9. A shrimp’s heart is in its head.

Weird fun fact - A shrimp’s heart is in its head.

If that wasn’t interesting enough, due to the nature of their open circulatory system, shrimp have no arteries so their organs just float around in blood!

Source: Why Shrimp Hearts Are in Their Heads at American Shrimp Processors Association

10. An 11-year-old accidentally invented ice pops.

Weird fun fact - An 11-year-old accidentally invented ice pops.

In 1905, young Frank Epperson left water and soda powder outside overnight with a wooden stirrer in the cup. When he discovered the mixture had frozen, the “Epsicle” was born.

Source: How an 11-Year-Old Boy Invented the Popsicle at NPR

11. We are more creative in the shower.

Weird fun fact - We are more creative in the shower.

Here’s one of the most useful weird fun facts! If you’ve ever felt like you think better in a warm shower, you’re probably right! The warm water increases the flow of dopamine and makes us more creative.

Source: The science of why you have great ideas in the shower at National Geographic

12. Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins.

Weird fun fact - Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins.

Dolphins need to come up for air every 10 minutes, but by slowing their heart rate, sloths can actually hold their breath for 40 minutes!

Source: Can a sloth or dolphin hold its breath for longer? at The Naked Scientists

13. Froot Loops are all the same flavor despite their different colors.

Weird fun fact - Froot Loops are all the same flavor despite their different colors.

This is such a disappointment, but it makes sense when you think about it!

Source: Breaking Breakfast News: Froot Loops Are All the Same Flavor at Time magazine

14. The first airplane flight was on December 17, 1903.

Weird fun fact - The first airplane flight was on December 17, 1903. 

Wilbur and Orville Wright took the first airplane on four short flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Source: 1903 Wright Flyer at National Air and Space Museum

15. Supermarket apples can be a year old.

Weird fun fact - Supermarket apples can be a year old.

Are those apples you just bought actually a year old? Maybe! Farmers often pick apples in the fall, cover them in wax, hot-air dry them, and then put them in cold storage. This keeps them edible and ready to sell for 6 to 12 months!

Source: This Is the Gross Truth About the Apples You’re Buying at the Supermarket at Reader’s Digest

16. Most wasabi paste isn’t real wasabi.

Weird fun fact - Most wasabi paste isn’t real wasabi. 

If you’ve always thought that your store-bought wasabi tastes more like horseradish, you’re probably right. It’s often used as a substitute since real wasabi is expensive.

Source: The “Wasabi” You Get in Asian Restaurants Isn’t Really Wasabi at Reader’s Digest

17. Venus is the only planet that spins clockwise.

Weird fun fact - Venus is the only planet that spins clockwise. 

Every 225 Earth days, Venus travels around the sun, but Venus rotates clockwise once every 243 days.

Source: The Only Planet That Rotates Clockwise at WorldAtlas

18. People used to say “prunes” when taking pictures.

People used to say “prunes” when taking pictures.

In the 1840s, it was considered childish to smile for pictures so it became popular for people to say “prunes” instead of “cheese” in order to keep their mouths taut.

Source: Why We Say “Cheese:” Producing Snapshot Photography at ResearchGate

19. Nutmeg is a hallucinogen.

Nutmeg is a hallucinogen.

Because it contains myristicin, a natural compound that has mind-altering effects, you can experience hallucinations if you ingest large quantities nutmeg. Yikes!

Source: Nutmeg is a drug? at McGill University

20. McDonald’s serves spaghetti in the Philippines.

McDonald’s serves spaghetti in the Philippines. 

The McSpaghetti meat sauce pasta comes with a side of “McDo” fried chicken. This sounds too tasty to be considered one of our weird fun facts!

Source: McDonald’s Philippines

21. Competitive art was once an Olympic sport.

Competitive art was once an Olympic sport. 

From 1912 to 1952, artists could earn medals for painting, music, sculpture, and even architecture.

Source: When the Olympics Gave Out Medals for Art at Smithsonian Magazine

22. 3 Musketeers candy bars used to come in three flavors.

3 Musketeers candy bars used to come in three flavors. 

The original candy from the 1930s had three different kinds of nougat: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry (hence the name!). Unfortunately, it had to be cut down to one during World War II due to rations being too expensive.

Source: The 25 Most Influential American Candy Bars of All Time at Food & Wine

23. The Spanish national anthem has no words.

The Spanish national anthem has no words.

The “Marcha Real” is one of only four national anthems in the world (along with those of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Kosovo, and San Marino) to have no official lyrics.

Source: What is Spain’s national anthem and why doesn’t it have lyrics? at BBC Music Magazine

24. Cat urine glows under a black light.

Cat urine glows under a black light.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

Black lights can be used to detect any body fluids, but cat urine glows particularly bright under ultraviolet light primarily because it contains the element phosphorus.

Source: This UV Flashlight Urine Detector Helps You Find (and Clean Up) Dog Messes at Reader’s Digest

25. Before we had toilet paper, Americans used corn husks.

Before we had toilet paper, Americans used corn husks.

There’s no way that was comfortable.

Source: What Did We Use Before Toilet Paper? at Cottonelle

26. “Kuchisabishii” is Japanese for unconscious eating.

 “Kuchisabishii” is Japanese for unconscious eating.

It describes the act of eating when you’re not hungry because your mouth is “lonely.”

Source: “Kuchisabishii” Is the Japanese Word That Explains Why We’re Eating Mindlessly at HuffPost

27. The Statue of Liberty was once a lighthouse.

The Statue of Liberty was once a lighthouse.

About a month after the statue’s 1886 dedication, it became a working lighthouse for 16 years, with its torch visible from 24 miles away.

Source: Statue of Liberty Light at U.S. Coast Guard

28. Jennifer Lopez inspired the creation of Google images.

Jennifer Lopez inspired the creation of Google images.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

After she wore her infamous green dress at the 2000 Grammys, the search engine added the function because so many people were looking for pictures of her outfit!

Source: Google Images Was Created Because of Jennifer Lopez at IFLScience

29. British military tanks are equipped to make tea.

British military tanks are equipped to make tea.

If the crew needs hot tea or coffee, they can just reach for the boiling vessel inside the tank.

Source: Challenger 2’s secret weapon: A cup of tea at Forces

30. Big Ben’s clock stopped at 10:07 p.m. on May 27, 2005.

Big Ben's clock stopped at 10:07 p.m. on May 27, 2005.

It was particularly hot in London that day—31.8 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit)—so it’s possible that the clock stopped due to the heat.

Source: For 90 Minutes, Time Stands Still on the Thames at The New York Times

31. You can see four states from Chicago’s Willis Tower.

You can see four states from Chicago’s Willis Tower.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

Head to the top of the building formerly known as the Sears Tower and you can see Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Source: What Do You Know About the Willis Tower? at Skydeck Chicago

32. Walt Disney has won the most Academy Awards.

Walt Disney has won the most Academy Awards. 

The House of Mouse has won 26 Oscars and was nominated 59 times.

Source: Walt Disney at Emmys Television Academy

33. A blue whale’s heartbeat can be detected up to 2 miles away.

 A blue whale's heartbeat can be detected up to 2 miles away.

And their hearts weigh almost 400 pounds!

Source: 5 things you never knew about a whale’s heart at Cole Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

34. There’s a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding.

There's a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding. - weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

Native to Central and South America, the fruit is called black sapote and it tastes like a combination of sweet custard and chocolate.

Source: The exotic fruit that tastes like chocolate at Australia Broadcasting Company

35. Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s voices got married in real life.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse’s voices got married in real life. 

Wayne Allwine (Mickey) and Russi Taylor (Minnie) were married from 1986 to 2019.

Source: Disney Romance: Mickey and Minnie and Walt and Lilly at Disney Parks

36. Queen Elizabeth II was a trained mechanic.

Queen Elizabeth II was a trained mechanic.

As a teenager, Queen Elizabeth II joined the British employment agency at the Labour Exchange and learned about truck, engine, and tire repair.

Source: How Queen Elizabeth embraced new technologies during her reign at National Geographic

37. The real name for a hashtag is octothorpe.

The real name for a hashtag is octothorpe- weird fun facts

While we know that “octo” refers to the symbol’s eight points, even Merriam-Webster is unsure about the “thorpe” part.

Source: Number Sign at Britannica

38. The Easter Island heads have bodies.

The Easter Island heads have bodies. 

We’ve seen those iconic stone heads, but did you know that in the 2010s, archaeologists found that two of the Pacific Island figures actually have torsos? Here’s a video!

Source: Easter Island’s iconic statues remain at risk after devastating fire at National Geographic

39. Salvador Dalí designed the Chupa Chups logo.

Salvador Dalí designed the Chupa Chups logo. 

The surrealist artist created the iconic design in 1969.

Source: Salvador Dali at BBC

40. M&Ms are named after their creators.

M&Ms are named after their creators.- weird fun facts

Two businessmen, Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, came up with the sweet treats.

Source: Six Times M&Ms Made History at History Channel

41. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.

Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. 

Incredibly, it’s 120 times smaller than Manhattan!

Source: This Is the Smallest Country in the World at Discovery

42. The letter “J” was the last added to the English alphabet.

The letter “J” was the last added to the English alphabet. - weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

It dates back to 1524. Shockingly, before it became a letter, the letter “i” was used for both “i” and “j” sounds!

Source: Meet the Man Responsible for the Letter “J” at Dictionary.com

43. The moon has moonquakes.

The moon has moonquakes. 

They occur due to tidal stresses connected to the distance between the Earth and the moon.

Source: Mysterious moonquake traced to Apollo 17 lunar lander base at Space.com

44. Ketchup used to be sold as medicine.

Ketchup used to be sold as medicine. 

Back in 1834, people with indigestion were given a prescription for the condiment.

Source: Ketchup used to be sold as medicine at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

45. You can’t hum while you’re pinching your nose.

You can't hum while you're pinching your nose. 

Go ahead and try!

Source: Why It’s Impossible To Hum When Holding Your Nose at Grunge

46. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. 

Their little brains are genuinely smaller than one of their eyeballs.

Source: Largest eyes for a bird at Guinness World Records

47. The longest walking distance in the world is 14,000 miles.

The longest walking distance in the world is 14,000 miles. 

You could walk from Magadan in Russia to Cape Town in South Africa without needing a vehicle.

Source: This Is the Longest Walkable Distance on Earth at Popular Mechanics

48. Humans are the only animals that blush.

Humans are the only animals that blush.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

Some people believe we may be the only animals who feel embarrassed.

Source: Is it just humans that blush? at BBC Wildlife

49. Pigs can’t look up into the sky.

Pigs can't look up into the sky.

Due to the anatomy of their neck muscles and spine, pigs are unable to look upwards.

Source: Pigs Have No Real Appreciation for the Sky at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

50. The iCarly set was also used by other high school shows.

The iCarly set was also used by other high school shows. 

It was the same set used for Saved by the Bell.

Source: 10+ TV Shows That Used the Same Sets as Other Popular Shows at Diply

51. There are more than 200 Kit Kat flavors in Japan.

There are more than 200 Kit Kat flavors in Japan. 

Japan loves Kit Kats and creates unique flavors for different cities, regions, and even seasons.

Source: There Are More Than 200 Different Flavors of Kit Kat In Japan. Here’s Why. at Food Republic

52. Humans have tongue prints.

Humans have tongue prints. - weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

Just like our fingerprints, our tongue prints are unique!

Source: Tongue prints: A novel biometric and potential forensic tool at National Institutes of Health

53. The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be in Barcelona.

The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be in Barcelona. 

When Gustave Eiffel’s design was rejected by the Spanish city for being too ugly, he pitched it to France. The locals weren’t in love with it either, but tourists from around the world flock to Paris to see it!

Source: 8 Things You Never Knew About the Eiffel Tower at Google Arts & Culture

54. The shortest commercial flight in the world is in Scotland.

The shortest commercial flight in the world is in Scotland. 

The quick 1.7-mile journey between Westray and Papa Westray islands takes just 90 seconds by plane.

Source: Here’s why the shortest flight in the world is in Scotland at The Scotsman

55. Dolphins give each other names.

Dolphins give each other names.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

A unique whistle is used to distinguish members in their pod.

Source: Researchers Find That Dolphins Call Each Other by “Name” at NPR

56. There’s a Shell garage that’s actually shaped like a Shell.

There's a Shell garage that’s actually shaped like a Shell. 

In the 1930s, Shell built a series of shell-shaped service stations, but only one remains today, in North Carolina.

Source: The Last Shell Oil Clamshell Station at Atlas Obscura

57. IKEA rugs were used for the Night’s Watch cloaks in Game of Thrones.

Ikea rugs were used for the Night's Watch cloaks in Game of Thrones. 

They shaved and dyed the rugs to make them look like medieval cloaks.

Source: Everybody Missed This Hilarious Detail About Jon Snow’s Costumes on Game of Thrones at Esquire

58. The blob of toothpaste on your toothbrush has a name.

The blob of toothpaste on your toothbrush has a name.- weird fun facts
We Are Teachers

It’s called a nurdle.

Source: Colgate, Glaxo settle toothpaste ‘nurdle’ lawsuit at Reuters

59. A blue whale’s tongue can weigh as much as a young elephant.

A blue whale’s tongue can weigh as much as a young elephant. 

The tongues of some whales are large enough that even an adult elephant could fit on it!

Source: Blue whale at National Geographic

60. Crocodiles can’t stick out their tongues.

Crocodiles can’t stick out their tongues.

A sturdy membrane sticks the alligator’s tongue to the roof of its mouth.

Source: T. rex Couldn’t Stick Out Its Tongue at Scientific American

61. There’s an ant species that’s unique to New York City.

There's an ant species that's unique to New York City.

Biologists found them in a specific area of New York City and named them ManhattAnts.

Source: NYC Has Its Own Ant, the “ManhattAnt” at Smithsonian Magazine

62. You could fall through the center of the Earth in 42 minutes.

You could fall through the center of the Earth in 42 minutes.- weird fun facts

Thankfully, no one has tried this yet.

Source: How Long Would It Take To Fall Through the Center of the Earth? at IFLScience

63. It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbows.

It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbows.

You’re already trying, aren’t you?

Source: Fun Facts and Trivia at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

64. Flamingos don’t bend their legs at the knee.

Flamingos don't bend their legs at the knee.

They bend their legs at the ankle!

Source: 60 Weird Facts Most People Don’t Know at Reader’s Digest

65. Adolf Hitler was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Adolf Hitler was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.- weird fun facts

A Swedish politician actually nominated him in 1939 as a joke and subsequently withdrew his nomination.

Source: Nominated but Not Awarded at Nobel Prize

66. John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator.

John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator.

After receiving the gift from a French general, the alligator was kept in one of the White House bathtubs.

Source: Ground Floor Pet Sculptures at George W. Bush White House Archives

67. Dogs have a unique nose print.

Dogs have a unique nose print.

It’s similar to a human’s fingerprint!

Source: 30 Fun and Fascinating Dog Facts at American Kennel Club

68. In an average lifetime, people eat around 70 assorted insects while sleeping.

In an average lifetime, people eat around 70 assorted insects while sleeping.- weird fun facts

And about 10 spiders. Oh no!

Source: Bet you didn’t know … at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

69. Hawaii gets 3 feet closer to Alaska every year.

Hawaii gets 3 feet closer to Alaska every year.

The Aloha State sits on a tectonic plate, called the Pacific Plate, that shifts closer to the mainland every day.

Source: Five Weird Facts About Earth at Fisher Science Education

70. Ants are incredibly strong.

Ants are incredibly strong.

They can lift and carry more than 50 times their own weight!

Source: Fun Facts About Bugs at Smithsonian

71. We only see one side of the moon.

We only see one side of the moon.

Since the Earth and the moon’s rotations are synchronous, we only ever see one face. It’s kind of sad!

Source: Interesting Facts About the Moon at Royal Museums Greenwich

72. Giraffes are much more likely to get hit by lightning than humans.

Giraffes are much more likely to get hit by lightning than humans.

Their fatality rate from lightning strikes is a whopping 30 times higher than ours.

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

73. There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.- weird fun facts

This sounds like a great idea for a math project.

Source: Kids Environment Kids Health at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

74. Someone held their breath underwater for almost 25 minutes.

Someone held their breath underwater for almost 25 minutes.

On March 27, 2021, Budimir Šobat of Croatia held his breath for a total of 24 minutes 37.36 seconds.

Source: 56-year-old freediver holds breath for almost 25 minutes breaking record at Guinness World Records

75. Bananas are radioactive.

Bananas are radioactive.

It’s true, as are potatoes, spinach, Brazil nuts, oranges, and granite countertops.

Source: Is it true that bananas are radioactive? at McGill University

76. All dogs have dreams.

All dogs have dreams.

Young puppies and older dogs dream more often than adult dogs.

Source: Fascinating and Fun Dog Facts at American Kennel Club

77. There are about 91,000 different types of insects in the United States.

There are about 91,000 different types of insects in the United States.- weird fun facts

Think that’s a lot? There are about 1.5 million different insect species in the world!

Source: BugInfo at Smithsonian

78. A shark can blink its eyes.

 A shark can blink its eyes.

It’s the only known fish that can blink both eyes.

Source: Kids Health Facts and Trivia at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

79. The sun and moon are not the same size.

The sun and moon are not the same size.

While they might look the same size from Earth, the moon is actually 400 times smaller than the sun. It just looks bigger because it’s also 400 times closer to us!

Source: Facts About the Moon at Royal Museums Greenwich

80. Identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints. 

Identical twins don’t have the same fingerprints. - weird fun facts

Even though they may look exactly alike, environmental factors before birth such as position in the womb and umbilical cord length impact your fingerprints.

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

81. Deaf people use sign language in their sleep.

Deaf people use sign language in their sleep.

During a 2017 case study, a 71-year-old man with severe hearing impairment and “rapid eye movement disorder” was observed using fluent sign language in his sleep.

Source: Do deaf people do sign language in their sleep? at BBC Science Focus

82. Almonds are part of the peach family.

Almonds are part of the peach family.

Almonds are not true nuts but rather something called “drupes.”

Source: Kids Environment Facts and Trivia at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

83. Animals can be allergic to humans.

Animals can be allergic to humans.

Not only can dogs be allergic to cat dander and people dander, our pets can also suffer from the same allergens as humans, including pollen!

Source: Can Your Dog or Cat Be Allergic to You? at National Geographic

84. There’s a planet mostly made from diamond.

There’s a planet mostly made from diamond.- weird fun facts

The Super-Earth planet, 55 Cancri e, is around twice the size of Earth and is likely made of diamond and graphite.

Source: Super-Earth Planet Likely Made of Diamond at Space.com

85. The moon looks upside down in the Southern Hemisphere.

The moon looks upside down in the Southern Hemisphere.

While the Northern Hemisphere sees the “Man in the Moon,” it looks more like a rabbit in the Southern Hemisphere.

Source: Does the Moon Look “Upside down” in the Southern Hemisphere? at BBC Science Focus

86. Maine is the only state name with one syllable.

 Maine is the only state name with one syllable.

How did we never notice this before?

Source: Kids Fun Facts and Trivia at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

87. Earth’s rotation is changing speed.

 Earth’s rotation is changing speed.

The Earth is actually slowing down, which means that, on average, the length of a day increases by around 1.8 seconds per century. If you do the math, a day lasted just 21 hours if you lived on Earth 600 million years ago!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

88. Bees may fly up to 60 miles in one day.

Bees may fly up to 60 miles in one day.

What a hustle!

Source: BugInfo at Smithsonian

89. More than half of our bodies are not human.

More than half of our bodies are not human.

Bacterial cells outnumber the number of human cells in our bodies. Research has found that the average human is around 56% bacteria. Wow!

Source: More than half your body is not human at BBC Health

90. Our blood pressure drops when we pet a dog.

Our blood pressure drops when we pet a dog.- weird fun facts

The dog’s blood pressure decreases too.

Source: 30 Fun Dog Facts at American Kennel Club

91. Los Angeles’ full name is “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula.”

 Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula."

How many of us actually knew that?

Source: Kids Health: Bet You Didn’t Know … at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

92. Platypuses “sweat” milk.

Platypuses

Since they don’t have teats, milk appears as sweat on a platypus (it’s not technically sweat, though, since aquatic mammals don’t sweat at all).

Source: Genomic Analyses Reveal Why the Platypus Lays Eggs and Sweats Milk at IFLScience

93. Most ginger cats are male.

Most ginger cats are male.

Ginger males can come from red/ginger, calico, and tortoiseshell mothers, whereas ginger females need to have one fully red/ginger father, and the mother must be red, calico, or tortoiseshell.

Source: Facts About Ginger Cats at Purina New Zealand

94. LEGO bricks withstand compression better than concrete.

LEGO bricks withstand compression better than concrete.- weird fun facts

Before you ask why the world isn’t just made of LEGO bricks, think about how much just one set costs!

Source: Why Isn’t the World Made of LEGO Blocks? at Popular Mechanics

95. Your brain is constantly eating itself.

Your brain is constantly eating itself.

Called phagocytosis, this process allows cells to envelop and consume smaller cells or molecules to remove them from the system. It might sound a little scary, but it’s a good thing since it helps our brains preserve gray matter!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

96. “Stewardesses” is the longest word that is typed with only the left hand.

Although “flight attendant” is the preferred term these days!

Source: Facts and Fun Trivia at National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

97. You’ll more likely remember your dreams better after a bad sleep than a good one.

You'll more likely remember your dreams better after a bad sleep than a good one.- weird fun facts

If you sleep poorly and wake up throughout the night, you’re more likely to remember your dreams when you wake up.

Source: Does Dreaming Affect the Quality of Our Sleep? at BBC Science Focus

98. The world’s largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.

 The world's largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.

It fell in Fort Keogh, Montana, in 1887. What did that look like!?

Source: Largest Snowflake at Guinness World Records

99. The average color in our universe is “cosmic latte.”

The average color in our universe is

Astronomers observed the light coming from galaxies tended to be this beige color. Starbucks needs to turn that into a drink!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

100. The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

The electric chair was invented by a dentist.

Alfred Porter Southwick was a dentist and steamboat engineer who is credited with inventing the electric chair as a method of legal execution.

Source: Alfred P. Southwick, MDS, DDS at National Library of Medicine

101. Your nails grow faster in the summer.

Your nails grow faster in the summer.- weird fun facts

This is probably due to increased blood supply to the fingertips from the heat. After all, fingernails also grow faster in hot countries!

Source: Why do my fingernails grow faster in a hot country? at BBC Science Focus

102. The first alarm clock could only ring at 4 a.m.

The first alarm clock could only ring at 4 a.m.

The first American alarm clock was invented by Levi Hutchins in 1787. It took 60 years for French inventor Antoine Redier to patent an adjustable one!

Source: A Study on the Evolution of the Product [Alarm Clock] at UDK Berlin Design

103. There’s no such thing as a straight line.

There’s no such thing as a straight line.

No matter how hard you try, if you look closely, there will always be irregularities. We say things are “laser-focused,” but even laser beams are slightly curved!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

104. The dot over the letter ‘i’ is called a tittle.

The dot over the letter 'i' is called a tittle.- weird fun facts

We can see why people don’t say this word too often.

Source: What’s the Name for the Dot Over “i” and “j”? at Dictionary.com

105. The Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is the biggest butterfly in the world.

The Queen Alexandra's birdwing is the biggest butterfly in the world.

Found in the forests of Papua New Guinea’s Oro Province, it has a wingspan of 31 centimeters (12.2. inches)!

Source: Top 10: World’s Largest Butterflies at BBC Science Focus

106. Martial artists who smile before a match are more likely to lose.

Martial artists who smile before a match are more likely to lose.

Some have suggested that smiling could make them seem submissive or scared.

Source: Why do we smile? at BBC Science Focus

107. A chicken once lived more than a year without a head.

A chicken once lived more than a year without a head.

It survived an incredible (and sad?) 18 months.

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

108. One cloud can weigh more than a million pounds.

One cloud can weigh more than a million pounds.

That just seems … impossible.

Source: How Much Does a Cloud Weigh? at U.S. Geological Survey

109. Octopuses have three hearts.

Octopuses have three hearts.- weird fun facts

And their blood is blue! By the way, did you know that both octopuses and octopi are acceptable plurals for octopus?

Source: Octopuses keep surprising us – here are eight examples how at Natural History Museum

110. The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes.

The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes.

It was between Britain and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896.

Source: Anglo-Zanzibar War at Britannica

111. Hippopotamuses can’t swim.

Hippopotamuses can’t swim.

We always see them in the water, but hippos can’t really swim. Their bones are large and dense, making it hard for them to float. Instead, they do a sort of “slow-motion gallop on the riverbed or on the sea floor.”

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

112. In the 16th century, it was fashionable to have black teeth.

In the 16th century, it was fashionable to have black teeth.- weird fun facts

As the ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth I set the trends of the 1500s. She was known for her sweet tooth, but years of sugary treats took its toll on her teeth. Incredibly, her mouth full of rotting teeth inspired other women to blacken their own teeth to match!

Source: Elizabeth I: Fashion and Beauty at Royal Museums Greenwich

113. Honey never spoils.

Honey never spoils.

Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are thousands of years old and still perfectly edible.

Source: The Science Behind Honey’s Eternal Shelf Life at Smithsonian Magazine

114. One in 18 people have a third nipple.

One in 18 people have a third nipple.- weird fun facts

Caused by a genetic mutation, it’s known as polythelia. It’s cool, though. Just ask Harry Styles and Carrie Underwood!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

115. A group of flamingos is called a “flamboyance.”

A group of flamingos is called a

What a perfect word for them!

Source: A Flamboyance of Flamingos and Other Brilliant Bird Group Names at Dictionary.com

116. There are more possible variations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the known universe.

There are more possible variations of a game of chess than there are atoms in the known universe.

That’s mind-blowing!

Source: Which is greater? The number of atoms in the universe or the number of chess moves? at National Museums Liverpool

117. More than 86% of U.S. households have at least one car for every driver in the home.

More than 86% of U.S. households have at least one car for every driver in the home.- weird fun facts

And 28% report having more cars than drivers!

Source: Americans Spend an Average of 17,600 Minutes Driving Each Year at AAA

118. The longest wedding veil was longer than 63 football fields.

The longest wedding veil was longer than 63 football fields.

The stunning lace veil was worn in Larnaca, Cyprus, on August 14, 2018, and measured 6,962.6 meters (4.3 miles!).

Source: Bride’s dream comes true with wedding veil that’s longer than 63 football fields at Guinness World Records

119. A group of pugs is called a grumble.

A group of pugs is called a grumble.

Given their grumpy little faces, this is especially cute!

Source: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Pug at American Kennel Club

120. One of the world’s oldest-known recipes is for beer.

One of the world's oldest-known recipes is for beer.- weird fun facts

Archaeologists uncovered a 5,000-year-old brewery in China with ancient “beer-making tool kits” in underground rooms dating back to 3400 and 2900 B.C.

Source: 5,000-Year-Old Chinese Beer Recipe Revealed at NPR

121. You can actually die laughing.

You can actually die laughing.

Sadly, intense laughter can trigger a heart attack or suffocation.

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

122. The symbolic national animal of Wales is the dragon.

The symbolic national animal of Wales is the dragon.- weird fun facts

Their Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) flag consists of a red dragon on a green-and-white background.

Source: The Red Dragon of Wales at Historic UK

123. The inventor of the Frisbee became one after he died.

The inventor of the Frisbee became one after he died.

After Walter Morrison died and was cremated in 2010, his family turned him into the very toy he invented in 1955. It was known as the Pluto Platter before Wham-O renamed it the Frisbee.

Source: Walter Morrison, Frisbee inventor at Business Insider

124. The most shoplifted food item in the world is cheese.

The most shoplifted food item in the world is cheese.

And a surprising 4% of the world’s cheese ends up stolen. Retailers consider it a “high-risk” food.

Source: Cheese Is the Most Stolen Food on Earth at Time magazine

125. Bees can get drunk on fermented tree sap.

Bees can get drunk on fermented tree sap.- weird fun facts

It doesn’t go well for those who partake, however. Bees that get drunk on fermented tree sap are often attacked by the sober bees and even denied access to the hive!

Source: Honeybees’ Strict No Drinking Policy at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

126. The world’s oldest-known pants are around 3,000 years old.

The world's oldest-known pants are around 3,000 years old.

They were recovered from a tomb in China.

Source: The World’s Oldest Pants Were Developed for Riding Horses at Smithsonian Magazine

127. The longest time between two twins being born is 90 days.

The longest time between two twins being born is 90 days.- weird fun facts

Molly and Benjamin West are dizygotic (fraternal) twins who were born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 1 and March 30, 1996. Molly was three months premature, but doctors were able to hold off Benjamin’s birth for 90 days!

Source: Longest Interval Between Birth of Twins at Guinness World Records

128. Wearing a tie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5%.

Wearing a tie can reduce blood flow to the brain by 7.5%.

According to a 2018 study, in addition to increasing eye pressure and carrying germs, wearing a tie too tightly can make you feel nauseous and dizzy, as well as cause headaches.

Source: Why Wearing a Tie Is Surprisingly Bad for Your Health at BBC Science Focus

129. The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes bone in the ear.

The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes bone in the ear.

Damage to this bone may cause partial or complete hearing loss.

Source: Stapes at Healthline

130. You travel 2.5 million km (about 1.5 million miles) a day around the sun.

You travel 2.5 million km (about 1.5 million miles) a day around the sun.- weird fun facts

No wonder we’re so tired!

Source: 71 Random Fun Facts at BBC Science Focus

If you enjoyed these weird fun facts, check out these 35 Amazing Ocean Facts for Kids!

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