Dictionaries did not exist in Shakespeare’s time.

David Bowie’s mother is Jewish.

In 1904, the Jefferson Bible (Thomas Jefferson’s version as he redacted it with a razor blade to remove miracles and such) was printed by order of Congress and for many years was presented to all newly elected members of that body.

Brian May (Queen) uses a guitar he built with his dad called the Red Special. He used wood from a neighbor’s discarded mantelpiece, and the pearls on the fret are from his mom’s pearl buttons. The overall amount May spent on his guitar was £17.50.

Truck drivers call trucks that haul multiple cars “parking lots.”

This article appears in February 9 • 2007.

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