By the time we reach a certain age, we think we know everything. Some of us might even be overconfident in our wisdom.
But to those who are erudite and hold multiple degrees of higher learning, they have another think coming.
The truth is, we never stop learning in this thing called life.
Aside from examples of people who are book smart vs. having street smarts, there are common misunderstandings experienced by both camps, and they result in a head slap moment that makes them utter, for lack of a better expression, “D-oh!”
Curious to hear from strangers on the internet, Redditor TikiTC asked:
“What’s a little-known but obvious fact that will immediately make all of us feel stupid?”
English Is Hard
“Words that are spelled the same but pronounced with emphasis on different syllables is actually indicative of the part of speech it is.”
“Stress on the first syllable is a noun. Stress on the last syllable is a verb. Examples: CON-tract and con-TRACT. The former is a noun ( sign this contract) whereas the latter is a verb (the muscles contract). Same with record, address, impact, object, and a few others.” – Verlonica
What’s In A Name
“The words Laser and Scuba are actually acronyms and they stand for:”
“Laser- Light Amplification (by) Stimulated Emission (of) Radiation. Scuba- Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.” – Gerd-Neek
It’s Two Words
“The word ‘helicopter’ has two components. They aren’t ‘heli’ and ‘copter.’ They are ‘helico’ and ‘pter.’”
“‘Helico’ (helix) and ‘pter’ (wing, like with ‘pterodactyl’)” – kabukistar
It’s Casual
“Thee and Thou were actually the informal forms. The King James Bible used them so that the relationship with God would seem more personal.” – kkngs
Obstructed View
“Cats, dogs, and other similar animals can’t see directly below their faces.”
“Because their snout gets in the way.”
“(That’s why you have to point out the treat a million times, they’re not stupid, the damn thing is just in their blind spot)” – tinyhatonapumpkin
“My favorite thing to tell people: Penguins swim faster than Michael Phelps.”
“Remember that discovery special that pitted a shark against him to see who was faster? Completely stupid, because even shark FOOD swims faster than he does! (Sharks eat penguins, to clarify)” – mushupenguin
Join The Circus
“Everyone has seen shows or movies about traveling circuses, mainly in the 1930’s or 1940’s. During the Depression, running away to join the circus was a semi-reasonable option.”
“Many people scoff at the Florida law you must feed the meter where you park your elephant.”
“Those circuses had a travel season that heavily relied on summer and warmer months. They would spend the winter in Florida until the next travel season. AHS even had an entire season about this.” – UnihornWhale
A Lot To Unpack
“Elephants have some of the closest looking breasts to humans besides primates of course. Two of them.”
“You just kind of look at female elephants in the context you usually see them and whoop, there it is and you can’t unsee it ever again.” – breastronaut
Certain Introverts
“Antisocial means that you are hostile or harmful to organized society. As in being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm.”
“Asocial is rejecting or lacking the capacity for social interaction.” – OttoManSatire
Not For Aesthetics
“Covered bridges are designed with roofs to protect and preserve the wooden structure from the elements.”
“Without the cover they’d last about 20 years, with the cover they can last up to 100. They’re not built that way just to look charming.” – ghostofhenryvii
Do You Know Where You Are?
“911 operators have no f’king clue where you are instantly unless you’re on a landline.”
“You HAVE to say where you are. It’s not our fault movies made you think we have a spy level video of you in your car.”
“Know your location.” – BeardsuptheWazoo
Statistics Say
“Around 70% of all car accidents happen within 10 miles of your home……because over 70% of your driving is within 10 miles of your home.”
“It’s a statistic driving teachers love to toss out there, that most accidents happen close to your home. But if you think about it, most of your driving is close to your home.”
“Even if you drive 20 miles to work, 50% of your driving will take place 10 miles from your home. The average commute is around 15 miles, and most people shop close to home.”
“So it’s really common sense that the majority of your driving will take place in that 10 mile radius, even if you travel further for work or other activities.” – sebrebc
Spud History
“Potatoes didn’t arrive in Europe until the 16th century.”
“It’s so ubiquitous, you’d think it would’ve been a part of English culture since 10,000 BC. – chalkyWubnub”
You’ll Become Unhinged
“You don’t actually bite down. You bite up because of your lower jaw.” – Random_Weirdo_Girl
Fresh Specimen
“When extracting organs for donating, doctors need to keep the body alive, obviously through machines, but they need to keep the blood pumping.” – [deleted]
Let Them Flow
“Tear ducts drain tears, they don’t produce them.” – Katiesullivan01
Legend Of The Fall
“It was never mentioned that Humpty-Dumpty was an egg.” – YummyMango124
Contaminated Seasoning
“Almost all samples of Sea Salt that you can buy in supermarkets are contaminated by microplastics from all the crap in the ocean.” – Cockalorum
“When a nurse gives you an IV – they aren’t leaving the metal needle inside your arm – they actually remove that and only a soft plastic tube remains – so you don’t need to keep your arm that straight, relax.” – Snakes_for_Bones
When I was once told Alaska was considered the easternmost state of the United States, I looked at my informant like he was crazy.
It logically didn’t make sense because, in my mind, Maine was the furthest eastern point.
But then, he explained to me how Alaska’s Aleutian Islands cross longitude 180º, which would make Alaska’s westernmost part of the state fall under the Eastern Hemisphere.
Even though it wasn’t a “D-oh” moment for me, I was definitely enlightened. But I don’t think many people would know about this interesting trivia.
That’s one for discussion at your next cocktail party, I suppose.
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