Oak Apple Day was an English, Welsh, and Irish public holiday, observed annually on May 29 to commemorate the restoration of the Stuart monarchy.
The T in T-shirt stands for its shape when laid flat, which resembles the letter T. It was first manufactured during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf began work on Bat Out Of Hell in 1974. The songs were originally written by Steinman for a musical he had developed based on James Matthew Barrie’s Peter Pan stories.
Salvador Dalí used to nap with an object in his hand. He’d wake up when he dropped the item in his sleep and hear it clang in a pot on the floor.
The expression “the Real McCoy” comes from Black inventor Elijah McCoy, who invented one of the first automatic lubrication mechanisms for locomotives. His oil-drip cup was in use by nearly all railroads throughout the U.S. and Canada by 1899. Real McCoy meant it wasn’t a knockoff.
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 March 6 • 2026.