Trivia

During a Baltimore production in 1986 of “The Drunkard,” a seasoned actress named Edith Wheeler, playing the death scene, dropped to the stage dramatically, and maybe even mindful for a moment of the thunderous applause, she really died.

Women who marry younger men generally live longer.

Q. What’s the “25 Percent Rule” of psychology?

A. A premise that almost all people believe they’d feel successful if they had just 25 percent more of whatever they’ve got.

Historians say Americans, who typically now sleep eight hours a night, slept 10 hours a night before electric lights.

What the Aztecs really liked, it’s written, was roast turkey with chocolate gravy.

Q. Why do people in some societies bow when they meet, while others shake hands?

A. Similar origins. Bowing exposed the back of the neck. It said, in effect: “I’m vulnerable to your sword.” Handshaking revealed the hand to be empty. It said, in effect: “I carry no weapon.” Strangers when they met first proved they meant no harm.