The word “irony” is defined as “the expression of one’s meaning
by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for
humorous or emphatic effect.” With its roots in ancient Greek
philosophy, varying forms of iron – verbal, dramatic, and situational –
were classically used as a way to assert the truth. But in the more
modern sense, irony is very often used to assert humor as well. For your
benefit, here are a few daily facts that you may not know that just so
happen to ironic, truthful, and hilarious.
6. Medical Wonders
Mothers like to tell children that playing too many video games will
melt their brains. Actually, surgeons in the medical community who grew
up playing video games make an average of 37% fewer mistakes than their
video game illiterate colleagues.
5. Monogamous Cheaters
People get divorced for all sorts of reasons, but what’s the
silliest? That award probably goes to a Bosnian couple that officially
split in 2007 after the couple discovered that the secret online affairs
they were both having happened to be with each other.
4. Look of Rock ‘N Roll
The American rock band ZZ Top is most recognizable from the famous
facial hair of lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Gibbons and co-vocalist
and bassist Dusty Hill. The only member of the Texas-based group who
doesn’t have a beard is their drummer: Frank Beard.
3. Watch Your Words
Asian countries are infamous for all of the strange things they ban
their citizens from doing. But China’s censorship ban on the word
“censorship” definitely takes the cake for weirdness.
2. Wild Continent
Because of all of the famously exotic wildlife that lives on the
African continent, most would probably guess that it has the most
wilderness of any continent (not including the relatively unpopulated
Antarctica). In actual fact, only 28% of Africa is wilderness; North
America is 38%.
1. Hats Off
The ten-gallon hat is just one name for the classic cowboy. Despite
its name, the average ten-gallon can only hold about three-fourths of a
gallon of liquid.