We’ve all been in that awkward situation — whether in a large group or just among a few friends — when the conversation lags, drags, and finally comes to a screeching halt. And suddenly, no one is able to come up with a topic that seems even mildly interesting. So what do you do to save the day?

Trivia. It works every time. And if you don’t have a steel-trap memory where you can keep three or four of these little bits of useless but fascinating information handy for instant recall, I suggest 3×5 cards (or the smart-phone equivalent, Notes). And you lead off with, “Did you know . . . ?” immediately capturing everyone’s attention because they’re all desperate to be rescued from the looming silence.

And guess what. I’m here to throw a few of these lifesavers out for your use in case of emergency . . . or whenever you simply feel like sounding smart to your co-workers, your kids, or the mailman. They are not copyrighted, so feel free to take credit as you wish. Let us begin with . . .

Did you know . . . that Venus is the hottest planet?

Did you know . . . that ozone has three molecules of oxygen?

Did you know . . . that Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (in 1903)?

Did you know . . . that Superman’s birth name was Kal-El?

Did you know . . . that Sean Connery played James Bond in seven films?

Did you know . . . that rats love to play, and they laugh when you tickle them? (Did you even want to know that?)

Did you know . . . that Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running Broadway show to date? Or that The Lion King is the highest-grossing?

Did you know . . . that Audi, Porsche, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Ducati are all owned by Volkswagen?

Did you know . . . that the average car has 30,000 parts, including screws and bolts?

Did you know . . . that the adult human body has 206 bones?

Did you know . . . that the largest organ of your body is your skin?

Did you know . . . that the smallest country in the world is Vatican City?

Did you know . . . that the Middle Ages lasted about 1,000 years?

Did you know . . . that Ralph Lauren’s real name was Ralph Lifshitz? (And can you blame him for changing it?)

Did you know . . . that serial killer Ted Bundy confessed to having committed 30 homicides? Or that the “Unabomber,” Ted Kaczynski, was a former graduate of Harvard? (Maybe you shouldn’t name your sons “Ted.”)

Did you know . . . that the gestation period of an African elephant is 22 months? (Ouch.)

Did you know . . . that an octopus has three hearts? Or that sea sponges have none?

And did you know . . . that this could go on practically forever? But I think we’re off to a good start here. If you need more, or if you’re just hooked on trivia now, you can do what I did: Google “trivia.”

You could also turn these pearls of wisdom around into a Q&A game, sort of a miniature Trivial Pursuit. Which, along with Scrabble, happens to be a favorite of mine. Or it used to be, before my short-term memory got shorter and I had to start using 3×5 cards.

Now, remind me again . . . which way is home?

TTFN,
Brendochka
8/13/23