Strange But True: Oct. 25, 2018

* It was early 20th-century Irish author Robert Wilson Lynd who made the following sage observation: “The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”

* If you’re concerned about the rising cost of groceries, be grateful that you’re not a starfish parent. A young starfish eats 10 times its own weight in food every day.

* The first car to offer seat belts — the Nash Rambler — rolled off the assembly line in 1950.

* You might be surprised to learn that the British are not the greatest tea drinkers in the world. That honor belongs to the Irish, who consume 1,200 cups per capita every year.

* The final battle of the Napoleonic Wars took place in June 1815 in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, a site now in present-day Belgium. The Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon met his final defeat, was delayed because the French emperor — and battle commander — couldn’t mount his horse. According to historians, Napoleon was suffering from hemorrhoids and couldn’t bear to sit in a saddle.

* Sandpaper can sharpen a dull pair of scissors. Fold a piece of sandpaper in half, rough side out, and make repeated cuts until the blades are sharp again.

* Fried lotus leaves are a popular snack in China.

* You’re probably aware that hot air is lighter than cold air, but did you know that hot water is heavier than cold water?

* Those who study such things say that Spain has more wildlife than any other European nation.

Thought for the Day

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

-- Samuel Johnson

(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.