The book Green Eggs and Ham contains only 50 words.
According to one source, the expression “whole nine yards” comes from concrete mixer trucks, which held nine cubic yards of concrete. When ordering concrete, one would say, “I’d like the whole nine yards” if they wanted as much as the truck could hold.
Jimi Hendrix used a comb-and-cellophane kazoo on the “Crosstown Traffic” recording.
During the filming of The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West, and her stand-in were both badly injured in accidents (one when departing Munchkinland in a ball of fire and one when a flying broomstick exploded).
Bagpipe music is customary at formal Palestinian events.
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 June 11 • 1999 and June 11 • 1999 (Cover).