Trivia Facts That Are Worth Knowing

As lifelong learners, we always want to discover something new. Whether this be a skill, a project, or something as simple as a fact. Our pursuit of education is one where we collect a little bit of knowledge about everything. If this sounds like you, then you’re in for a treat with today’s blog. In honour of National Trivia Day, we’re sharing some informational tidbits perfect for expanding your ever-growing education lexicon.

What is Trivia?

Trivia is information and data considered to be of little value. It contrasts with general knowledge and common sense. The name is latin in origin, and comes from the three lower Artes Liberales:

• Grammar
• Logic
• Rhetoric

The topics formed the basics of education and an important building block for all undergraduates.

However, the ancient Roman originally used the word triviae to describe a fork in the road. Tri (three) plus viaw (roads) literally translated to “three roads”. Eventually, this transferred in use to “a public place”. Hence, we derived the meaning “commonplace”.

Additionally, the adjective trivial entered into English in the 15th-16th century. All three meanings of the Latin origin influenced its use.

1. The trivium of the Liberal Arts.
2. A three fold division. (However, this meaning was never common either in Latin or English)
3. The Shakespearean influence of the meaning: “trite, commonplace, unimportant, slight”.

Eventually, nostalgia in the 1960s transformed trivia into an informal trade of questions and answers about the popular culture of ones youth. Nowadays, we still partake in this past time with specific nights celebrating the winning team for recalls the most information. The ultimate debate: is trivia about knowing obscure minute details? Or, is it more about tugging at the heartstrings of bygone times?

Informational Tidbits

Suddenly find yourself going to a Trivia Night. Check out these knowledge bites sure to be fun little conversation starters.

1. The 100 folds in a chef’s hat represents 100 ways to cook an egg.
2. Some cats are allergic to people.
3. The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. This is because of its association with dominance, chivalry, purity, and innocence.
4. An aspen grove is the largest known living organism.
5. M&M stands for Mars and Murrie.
6. A blue whale’s heartbeat can be heard from more than 2 miles away.
7. The odds of getting a royal flush are exactly 1 in 649,740.
8. A baby puffin is called a “puffling”.
9. Four times more people speak English as a second language than as a native one. Are you one of those people? Check back soon for our ESL Creators Club.
10. The speed of a computer mouse is measure in “Mickeys”.
11. A $1 US bill lasts about 6.6 years.
12. The largest sand castle measure in at 54 feet high.
13. A group of bunnies is a “fluffle”.
14. The moon has its own time zones.
15. A team of six women programmed the first computer.
16. Greenland hosts fossilised plants under 1.4km of ice.
17. Mount Everest is bigger than the last time it was measured.
18. The US is the only country in the world that doesn’t use the metric system.
19. More than 52% of the world’s population is under 30 years old.
20. 41 countries recognise sign language as an official language.

Do you have some fun trivia facts? Let us know on our instagram!

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