Happy Accidents
Misconceptions
Lost in translation
world idioms
world idioms
Fiction
Weird History
100
In 1853, an annoyed chef sliced his potatos paper thin and fried them to a crisp to get back at a customer who complained his potatoes were too thick.
What are potato chips
100
Bulls are actually colorblind to this color, they charge because of the movement of the cape.
What is red
100
When a German (also many other Europeans) wishes you good luck, they press this finger into their palm.
What is a thumb
100
This fast-food joint from SpongeBob SquarePants is home to the secret formula for the Krabby Patty.
What is the Krusty Krab
100
Before it was a popular soda, this carbonated beverage was originally marketed as a medicinal brain tonic that contained actual traces of cocaine
What is Coca-Cola
200
Spencer Silver, a chemist, was trying to create a super-strong adhesive, but instead created a very weak one that allowed his college to invent these office staples, that are usually yellow in color.
What are Post-It notes
200
British propaganda during WWII claimed this vegetable gave their pilots night vision.
What is a carrot
200
If a Frenchman says he has "the cockroach", he is experiencing this emotion.
What is sadness or depression
200
This massive company in The Simpsons is owned by Mr. Burns and provides electricity to the entire city.
What is the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant
200
In 1932, the Australian military lost a "war" against a massive population of these large, flightless birds that were destroying crops
What are emus (The Great Emu War)
300
In 1957, two engineers tried to create a trendy 3D textured wallpaper, using two plastic shower curtains. Today, this resulting product is mostly used to protect fragile packages in the mail. (And is very fun to pop)
What is Bubble Wrap
300
Historical evidence shows this Scandinavian group never actually wore horned helmets, the look was invented by a costume designer in the 19th century.
Who are the Vikings
300
In this European country, when you want to say "not my problem", you say "not my circus, not my monkeys".
What is Poland
300
This regional paper and office supply distributor is headquartered in Scranton, Pennsylvania, from the show The Office
What is Dunder Mifflin
300
In 1518, the city of Strasbourg was struck by a bizarre "plague" where hundreds of people uncontrollably did this in the streets until they collapsed from exhaustion
What is dancing
400
Originally intended to be a non-toxic wallpaper cleaner, this colorful, stretchy substance became a staple of peoples childhood.
What is Play-Doh
400
This architectural wonder is often claimed to be the only man-made object visible from space.
What is the Great Wall of China
400
While an English speaker with a raspy, scratchy voice has a "frog" in their throat, a French speaker claims to have this pet in theirs
What is a cat.
400
This fictional fast-food chain from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul serves world-class fried chicken and is run by Gus Fring.
What is Los Pollos Hermanos
400
The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 holds the record for the shortest war in history, lasting approximately this many minutes.
What is 38 to 45 minutes
500
Trying to make clear plastic for WWII gun sights, a scientist discarded this formula because it stuck to everything, accidentally creating this household fix-all.
What is Super Glue
500
This spiked torture device, shaped like a metal cabinet, was never actually used in the Middle Ages, it was a hoax pieced together in the late 18th century for museums.
What is the Iron Maiden
500
If a German person tells you a wildly exaggerated lie or tries to trick you, the idiom translates to "tying" this large forest animal to you.
What is a bear
500
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this tech giant was founded by Howard Stark and later run by his son, Tony
What is Stark Industries
500
In 1386 in Falaise, France, one of these farm animals was dressed in human clothing, put on trial for attacking a child, found guilty, and executed
What is a pig