When it comes to talking to a guy, it can be hard to come up with interesting topics to discuss. You want to keep the conversation flowing, but you don't want to bore him with mundane details of your life. That's where interesting facts come in handy. Here are some fascinating facts to share with the guy you're talking to:
1. The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and the Zanzibar Sultanate in 1896, is the shortest war in recorded history. It lasted only 38 minutes before the Sultan surrendered.
2. The world's largest snowflake was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick
The world's largest snowflake was recorded in Fort Keogh, Montana, in 1887. It measured 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.
3. The human nose can detect over 1 trillion different scents
While the human eye can detect only 10 million different colors, the human nose can detect over 1 trillion different scents. That's why perfumers and wine tasters have such finely tuned senses of smell.
4. The longest word in the English language has 189,819 letters
The longest word in the English language is the chemical name for a protein called Titin. The full name has 189,819 letters and would take over three hours to pronounce.
5. The world's largest desert is Antarctica
Most people think of the Sahara as the world's largest desert, but that title actually belongs to Antarctica. The entire continent is classified as a desert because it receives less than 10 inches of precipitation per year.
6. The Eiffel Tower can be 15 cm taller during the summer
The Eiffel Tower is made of iron, which expands during the summer heat. As a result, the tower can be up to 15 cm taller during the summer months.
7. The world's largest living organism is a fungus in Oregon
The world's largest living organism is a fungus called Armillaria ostoyae, which covers over 2,200 acres in Oregon's Blue Mountains. It's estimated to be around 2,400 years old.
8. The world's oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old
The world's oldest piece of chewing gum is over 9,000 years old and was found in Sweden. It was made from birch bark tar and had tooth imprints in it, suggesting it was used as a form of toothbrush.
9. The world's largest island within an island is in Canada
The world's largest island within an island is Manitoulin Island, located in Lake Huron in Canada. It's the largest freshwater island in the world and contains over 100 smaller islands within its borders.
10. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds
While chickens are not known for their flying abilities, the longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds.
11. The world's largest living creature is the blue whale
The world's largest living creature is the blue whale, which can grow up to 100 feet long and weigh over 200 tons.
12. The world's largest ball of twine weighs over 17,000 pounds
The world's largest ball of twine is located in Cawker City, Kansas, and weighs over 17,000 pounds. It was started by a local farmer in 1953 and has been growing ever since.
13. The world's largest swimming pool is over 1,000 yards long
The world's largest swimming pool is located in San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile and is over 1,000 yards long. It holds over 66 million gallons of water.
14. The world's largest potato weighed over 18 pounds
The world's largest potato was grown in England in 1795 and weighed over 18 pounds. It was roughly the size of a small child.
15. The world's largest pizza was over 130 feet in diameter
The world's largest pizza was made in Italy in 2012 and was over 130 feet in diameter. It took over 11 hours to cook and used over 19,000 pounds of flour.
16. The world's largest snow maze is over 30,000 square feet
The world's largest snow maze is located in Warren, Vermont, and covers over 30,000 square feet. It takes over a month to construct and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
17. The world's largest treehouse is over 100 feet tall
The world's largest treehouse is located in Crossville, Tennessee, and is over 100 feet tall. It was built by Horace Burgess, who used only recycled materials to construct it.
18. The world's largest diamond was over 3,100 carats
The world's largest diamond, called the Cullinan diamond, was found in South Africa in 1905 and weighed over 3,100 carats. It was cut into several smaller diamonds, two of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.
19. The world's largest waterfall is in Venezuela
The world's largest waterfall is Angel Falls, located in Venezuela. It's over 3,200 feet tall and drops water from a height of over half a mile.
20. The world's largest hot tub can hold up to 700 people
The world's largest hot tub is located in Japan and can hold up to 700 people. It's over 130 feet long and 40 feet wide.