Have you been stung by a plant with stinging hairs or nettles? If so, you’re a victim of an urticant.

If you’re reading news headlines that could have been generated by AI, it’s just pink slime journalism.

Katherine Marshall, wife of George Marshall, the World War II general who later became secretary of state and won a Nobel Peace Prize for his Marshall Plan, taught Madame Chiang Kai-shek how to play Chinese checkers.

“Allopatric speciation” is when a new species forms by the physical splitting of a population. 

“Bangaranga,” the title of the winning song in Eurovision 2026, sung by Darina “Dara” Yotova of Bulgaria, means “a joyful kind of disorder, uproar, of mischief” in the Jamaican Patois language (also known as Jamaican Creole).

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 June 5 • 2026.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US