The word “cynosure” means “a person or thing that is a center of attention or interest.” The word is derived from the Greek word for “dog’s tail.” Apparently the Little Dipper, the constellation that includes the North Star, was once called the Dog’s Tail. Thus the “center of attention or interest.”
The longest kiss in movie history was between Regis Toomey and Jane Wyman in You’re in the Army Now (1941). It lasted three minutes and five seconds.
Since the 1960s, astronomers have known that Mercury rotates 1.5 times each Mercurian year.
It was President John Hanson (elected under Articles of Confederation eight years before George Washington) who adopted the Great Seal of the United States.
In the opening credits of The Simpsons, Maggie originally scanned for $847.63 – the price of raising a baby for one month back in 1989 when the show debuted. Now when Marge’s groceries run through, they add up to $243.26, and when Maggie is scanned, the total doubles to $486.52.
This article appears in June 18 • 2010.