Words and Numbers Trivia

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In photographic terms, a “slave” is a device used to trigger a studio lighting set-up. When one flash fires, it causes other lights to simultaneously fire.

Aussie slang is famous for its quirky rhymes. The phrase "pot of good cheer" is rhyming slang for "beer." "Plates of meat" means "feet," "apples and pears" means "stairs," and "Al Capone" and "eau de cologne" both mean "telephone."

In printer's jargon, a “bang” is an exclamation mark.

Australia's name comes from the Latin world “Australia” for “southern” because the continent is located in the southern hemisphere.

Australian slang for "lavatory" is "dunny."

A car's instrument panel is called a dashboard. The term dates back to horse-and-buggy days when dashing horses kicked up mud, splashing the passengers riding behind them. The dashboard was devised to protect them.

A cat's meow in Japanese is described as nyan-nyan or nyaa-nyaa.

A cluster of fireworks that revolve is called a "girandole."

A Coca-Cola ad in China used the Chinese symbols to sound out the product name phonetically. Ad execs were not aware that the symbols for “Co” “Ca” “Co” “La” mean “bite the wax tadpole” in Chinese.

A collector of matchbooks or matchboxes is called a phillumenist.

A collector who attempts to collect an example of every item in a particular field is called a completist.

A colloquial Aussie term for a rumor or false story is a "furphy."

A condition of irritation, exasperation, or annoyance can be called a “swivet.”

A deltiologist collects postcards.

A designer or aficionado of crossword puzzles is called a cruciverbalist.

Splanchnomancy is a fortune-telling method which involves reading the cut sections of a goat liver.

Sunbeams that shine down through clouds are called crepuscular rays.

In silent Aboriginal hunting language, a closed hand slowly opening is meant to show that a kangaroo is near.

Surprisingly, there is an archaic word for a thief who robs theater patrons during a performance. It is "efter."

In the 18th and 19th centuries, freight was carried by Conestoga wagons, driven by six horses, whose bridles were decorated with several dozen bells. When a wagon would break down, possibly for a broken axel, it would be up to a passerby to help the driver. As a reward for their help, the driver would give them a bell. Many times the wagons would arrive at their destinations with little or no bells left, giving rise to the saying “I'll be there with bells on,” meaning the speaker planned to arrive safely with after an uneventful journey.