In 1984, Americans bought 14 million bicycles, but only 10 million cars.

Hiccups are caused by overdistention of the stomach, gastric irritation, nerve spasms, and various metabolic disturbances. The sound is air escaping from you (hic) and part of your throat closing to stop the air (cup).

Southwest Airlines has flown more than 13 million flights without a fatality.

Dervish, a solemn Muslim religious ceremony, means “doorway” and is thought to be an entrance from the material world to the spiritual world.

Before Bob Keeshan became Captain Kangaroo, he played Clarabell the Clown on The Howdy Doody Show.

This article appears in September 22 • 2000.

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