Trivia

In the 1860s, the ancient pastime of croquet suddenly boomed in England. Then in the 1870s, lawn tennis overtook it there. Both had much to do with the sudden spectacular growth of the new lawn mower industry, particularly in the United States with more space for grass. When you drag out your lawn mower come spring, blame British games.

Native homes in the Aleutians traditionally were dug underground with skylights made from the intestines of sea lions.

Q. What’s the difference between an “amnesty” and a “pardon”?

A. A pardon is granted to an individual, usually but not always, after conviction. An amnesty is granted to a group, usually but not always, before conviction.

Baseball took the term “double-header” from railroading, where it already long had meant one train pulled by two engines.

Am told just about 95 percent of all the matter in the universe is invisible.

Q. What were the first tame birds in the Western world?

A. Pigeons. Raised near the Mediterranean for food.

Zebras started out white. Black stripes came along later.