They say male dogs make good psychologists for female cheetahs who are skittish and less likely to mate in captivity.

Wheeled garbage pails are called “wheelie bins” in England, Australia, and New Zealand.

In 1965, on his 20th birthday, The Who’s Pete Townshend wrote “My Generation” while riding a train from London to Southampton. Of course, he had no idea the song would become an anthem for the youth culture – its most memorable line: “Hope I die ‘fore I get old.”

Brad Pitt used to move refrigerators.

During FY 2012, the federal government spent more on immigration enforcement — $18 billion — than on all other federal law enforcement agencies combined, according to a new report from the Migra­tion Policy Institute. Adjusted for inflation, the U.S. now spends 15 times as much on immigration enforcement as it did in the Eighties.

At left is information that 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 email mrpants@austinchronicle.com.

This article appears in March 8 • 2013.

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