The average talker sprays about 300 microscopic saliva droplets per minute, about 2.5 droplets per word.

Ottomar Rudolphe Vlad Dracul Kretzulesco, the sole heir to Vlad the Impaler, who inspired stories of the vampire Dracula, is a Red Cross volunteer promoting blood donations. He also is turning the family castle into a theme park. He is not a blood relative.

Captain Cook fed sauerkraut to his crew to prevent scurvy. It worked!

Opening night of the original McDonald’s was a flop because customers wanted to be served by carhops, but the restaurant only had a walk-up window.

The thumbnail grows the slowest; the middle nail grows the fastest.


The above is information which Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine, or the newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got facts? Write to Mr. Smarty Pants at the Chronicle, or e-mail to mrpants@auschron.com.

This article appears in May 21 • 1999 and May 21 • 1999 (Cover).

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