There are some things that should be common knowledge but aren’t. For example, did you know that otters hold hands when they sleep? It’s true. Everyone should know that, but not everyone does. Alright, that’s a bad example and not really a useful piece of information, but I stand by the fact that the world would be better if everyone knew that otters hold hands when they sleep.
Anyway, here are 17 (actually useful) basic things that everyone should know.
1. If you lose a bunch of weight for no reason you should go see a doctor.
Sudden weight loss of 10 lbs or more can be the first sign of some pretty serious stuff, including cancer, diabetes, or autoimmune disease.
2. Most stove tops lift up for easy cleaning.
It’s true! Lift that sucker up and clean under it, because if you don’t you’ll just have moldy food building up in there until you have to move out. Watch out for the pilot lights, too.
3. This is the most average color in the universe.
It’s called “Cosmic Latte,” and its literally the average shade of all light in the universe. It’s cosmically boring.
4. The sun is white.
You and Superman probably thought that Earth’s sun was yellow, right? Well it’s actually the sum of all visible colors put together, which to our eyes is white.
5. Use the “FORD” trick when meeting new people.
Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams. You’ll never run out of things to talk about when you’re stuck in a corner with some rando at a party.
6. Don’t clean with ammonia and bleach at the same time.
It’s true. Unless you’re Walter White and like handling dangerous chemical mixtures, do not do this. It can be seriously harmful to your health and even cause explosions and bad chemical reactions.
7. You can look up what drug companies are paying your doctor.
Right here. If your doc is pushing a particular prescription even though you’ve never heard of it, it could be because he’s getting a little kickback from the drug company. It’s a good thing to know.
8. We don’t say “Xmas” to declare a war on Christmas.
What’s that? The “War on Christmas” is a bunch of made up baby nonsense?! No waayyayyyyy. It’s true though, abbreviating Christmas to “Xmas” isn’t about taking Christ outta there. It’s just from the Greek spelling “Χριστός” where the X is an abbreviation for Christ. So your boy is still in there, relax.
9. Don’t give your cat dairy products.
Yes, despite every cartoon telling us that cats love saucers of milk, they kinda don’t. Most animals have some form of lactose intolerance and can get sick from milk.
10. Here’s what all those laundry symbols mean.
The more you know!
11. A large pizza is more than you think.
Have you ever been torn between ordering two medium pizzas or one large pizza for your party or yourself? (No judgements, fam.) Well according to MATH (ever heard of it?) the larger one is technically more. Follow your instincts, and go large.
12. Light roast coffee has more caffeine than dark roast.
Yup. Everything you know is a lie.
13. If you buy a used car, the “check engine” light should come on.
If it doesn’t, the dashboard may have been messed with.
14. Bales of hay can spontaneously combust.
And weirdly enough it’s because of moisture build up. Basically it can get so hot in the middle that the whole thing can reach a combustion point. Scary!
15. There was a black woman who refused to give up her bus seat long before Rosa Parks.
It also caught the attention of Civil Rights leaders at the time, but they thought a teenager wouldn’t be a good face for the movement. It’s a fascinating story you should read about here.
16. “Could of” is not a thing. It’s “could have.”
Which is abbreviated “could’ve.” Speak proper, my dudes.
17. Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s independence day.
It’s the celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It’s also the celebration of white peoples need to drink tequila and pee in public. (no)