Believe It or Horseshoe?

Did you know that the famous Swedish astronomer, Tycho Brahe had a nose made of gold? It was a replacement for his own which he lost in a duel with a Danish nobleman in 1566.

Did you know that the Graham Cracker was named after Sylvester Graham, a New England minister? He not only invented the cracker but also published a journal in Boston that took a rabid stand against tea, coffee, featherbeds and women’s corsets.

Are you aware that a Dromedary camel named Jeb is the only desert animal to have ever laughed (and spit) at an outfit worn by the Queen of Sheba, and lived to tell about it?

Did you know that ping-pong is a game created by George Washington to help pass the cold winter nights at Valley Forge? Washington allowed his staff and junior officers access to the green table if they brought their own balls. The best competition occurred among a Hessian fusilier detachment that had deserted to the American cause after the Battle of White Plains. The rest of the tattered army was limited to late night games or a rare opening when Martha came up for the weekend.

Were you aware that there has never been a documented attack by a marmot on a human since 1852? Researchers at the Boyle Institute of Free Thought in Glenwood Springs confirm that the marmot (whistle pig, alpine woodchuck) is a peace-loving vegan who will engage in the attack mode only when someone threatens his mate or insults his national heritage.

Did you know that people who live in southeastern Oklahoma have no eyebrows? Many wear fake eyebrows or pull their hats down to hide their shame. Masks have been employed in more affluent districts. Dermatologists in Dallas tell us that the eyebrows disappeared not long after the adoption of a state license plate slogan calling Oklahoma “Native America” which is a misnomer since not one native American relocated here by choice. A Cherokee curse clearly states that if Oklahoma would simply reassert, “Oklahoma is OK” instead of the reference to the tribes that were brought here, the eyebrows would grow back.

Did you realize that of all the illegal aliens that entered the United States since 2010 only 31% were Martian? The other prominent groups include agricultural workers from Uranus (19%), Neptune (12%) and Pluto (8%). The others (30%) are a mix of economic refugees from Mexico and Central America.

Did you realize that when the Russian Army stops for lunch in Ukraine or Georgia that it takes 3800 pounds of potatoes, 2345 pounds of kielbasa, 1300 gallons of borscht, 3500 gallons of vodka, 2000 tubs of sour cream and one gross of parsley to feed them? – Suzie Compost

Kids! Save all of your Believe It Or Horseshoe columns.

Win friends, amaze teachers and win bar bets when you grow up.