Trivia

An old Greek map drawn by Heratosthene in 2 B.C. showed three continents about equal in size labeled: Europe, Asia and Libya.

Could be you and your party of deep thinkers might wish to discuss in detail this profound contention of William Penn: “There can be no friendship where there is no freedom.”

Q. What’s a “levirate wedding”?

A. A marriage, oftentimes compulsory, of a childless widow to her dead husband’s brother. Once fairly common in the Near East, India, Africa and South America. Stated purpose: to produce a son to perpetuate the family name. Unstated purpose: to control the departed’s estate.

In 1844, Philip Hone, then mayor of New York City, jotted down “the good old days” in his journal to become the first person known to write that phrase.

On film now are pictures of polar bears throwing big chunks of ice at seals, to stun, maim or kill same. The antique notion that the human is the only animal that uses weapons is far outdated.

All the letters in our alphabet, in order of frequency of use, are reported by the calculators to be: etadinshrdlucmpfywgbvkjxzq.