Springtails (jumping bugs) used to be considered insects, but are now classified as hexapods.
A 1975 Automotive Engineering study reported by NASA found that up to 18 tons of air per mile is displaced by a semi pulling a trailer at highway speed.
According to writer/director/actor Kevin Smith, at one point Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) lived in the same New York apartment building.
Japan has a counterfeit matcha problem. If you buy Uji matcha, it may be a fake made in China – not nearly as delicious as what you expected.
Sir Neville Chamberlain – not the same guy who was Great Britain’s prime minister – is credited with inventing the game of snooker. The game is played on a billiards table with 22 balls: a white cue ball, 15 red balls, and 6 other balls: yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black.
The above is information that Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, magazine, or newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got facts? Write to Mr. Smarty Pants. Why not visit mrsmartypants.com?
This article appears in January 23 • 2026.