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Little Fish: Pope Guilty the First

No Such Thing As A Fish

30m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode of Little Fish features hosts Dan Schreiber, James Harkin, and Anna Ptaszynski sharing and discussing an eclectic collection of audience-submitted facts. The conversation ranges from unusual cultural prohibitions, such as the Kadang people banning pointing at rainbows, to bizarre historical anecdotes like a man shot dead over the pronunciation of Newfoundland in 1876. The hosts also explore quirky biological oddities, such as flower mites that hitch rides in hummingbird nostrils, alongside lesser-known historical details about the co-inventors of penicillin and Elvis Presley's first recorded demo of Heartbreak Hotel.

  • The Kadang people of Indonesia have a specific prohibition against pointing at rainbows, Ursa Major, and small young pumpkins. 1:01
  • Four moose brought to Newfoundland in 1904 have multiplied to a population of roughly 125,000 today. 2:49
  • Train engine windows are tested by law by launching a 24-pound cinder block into the glass at 30 miles an hour. 20:13
  • Pope Innocent the Eighth earned the nickname the Honest for being the first pope to acknowledge his illegitimate children. 27:12

Chapters

  1. 0:13
    Welcome and Podcast Intro

    Hosts introduce the episode and explain the format of sharing listener facts.

  2. 0:52
    Moose in Newfoundland Story

    Another fact details early moose introductions to Newfoundland and pronunciation disputes.

  3. 1:52
    Elvis Song Origin Tale

    A fact reveals that Elvis’s hit was first recorded by an impersonator before Elvis himself.

  4. 4:00
    Heliconia and Hummingbirds Fact

    A fact explains how hummingbirds help spread pollen and mites in heliconia plants.

  5. 5:12
    Train Window Test Fact

    A fact about train engineers testing windows with cinder blocks at high speed.

  6. 12:56
    Australian Man in Washing Machine

    A humorous story of a man trapped in a washing machine and rescued with olive oil.

  7. 27:12
    Pope Innocent the Eighth Nickname

    A fact reveals Pope Innocent VIII was nicknamed 'the Honest' for acknowledging children.

  8. 29:15
    Queen Elizabeth Coronation Costume

    A fact that people dressed as television sets for Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation.

  9. 29:49
    Wrap-Up and Farewells

    Hosts thank contributors, explain how to become a custodian, and sign off.

Highlights

  • 1:01

    Kadang People Prohibitionsinsight

    The hosts discuss how the Kadang people of Indonesia ban pointing at rainbows, Ursa Major, and small young pumpkins, alongside a broader custom of not making their own clothes.

  • 3:47

    Newfoundland Pronunciation Duelstory

    In 1876, a frontier argument over the pronunciation of Newfoundland led to a deadly shooting, with the shooter confessing decades later on his supposed deathbed.

  • 11:12

    The Origin of Heartbreak Hotelinsight

    Before Elvis recorded Heartbreak Hotel, songwriter Glenn Reeves recorded a demo in an Elvis impersonation to show how well it suited the singer's style.

  • 13:07

    Washing Machine Rescuestory

    An Australian man known as Lawrence had to be rescued by emergency workers after becoming wedged naked in a washing machine during a prank, ultimately freed with olive oil.

  • 20:13

    Cinder Block Window Testingdata

    Train engine manufacturers are legally required to test engine windows by launching a 24-pound cinder block at them at 30 miles per hour.

  • 24:29

    Pornographic Snowmen Proteststory

    In 1511, citizens of Brussels protested against the government by filling the city streets with dozens of pornographic snowmen.

  • 28:34

    Destroyed Neolithic Tombstory

    In 2015, Spanish builders accidentally destroyed a 6,000-year-old Neolithic tomb resembling a picnic table and replaced it with a modern picnic table.

Quotes

  • “four moose were brought to Newfoundland from Miramushi, New Brunswick in 1904, 45 years before Newfoundland joined Confederation.”
    Unnamed speaker · 2:49
  • “Even better, in my opinion, is that during the 2003 to 4 season, Fulham replaced the Scottish midfielder John Collins with the Liberian-born Dutch striker.”
    Unnamed speaker · 6:20
  • “manufacturers are required by law to test the windows on engines by launching a 24-pound cinder block into the glass at 30 miles an hour.”
    Unnamed speaker · 20:13
  • “in 2015, Australian scientists named a newly discovered species of fish, the blue bastard.”
    Unnamed speaker · 25:18
  • “Pope Innocent the Eighth was given the nickname the Honest because he was the first pope to acknowledge that he had illegitimate children.”
    Unnamed speaker · 27:12

About this episode

Dan finally learns the truth about a playground rumour, while he, Anna and James discuss YOUR facts . This week's subjects include naughty Newfoundlanders, olive oil, and pointing at pumpkins. And the gang announce eight more Friend of the Podcast custodians. Visit nosuchthingasafish.com http://nosuchthingasafish.com for news about live shows, merchandise and more episodes. Join Club Fish for ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content at apple.co/nosuchthingasafish http://apple.co/nosuchthingasafish or nosuchthingasafish.com/patreon http://nosuchthingasafish.com/patreon Edited by James Harkin Produced by Leying Lee Team includes Tara Dorrell, Joe Mayo and Ethan Ruparelia

Transcript

0:00
30:43

5,409 words · 3 speakers

Topics

  • Newfoundland
  • Heliconia
  • Kansas
  • Oz
  • Gesture
  • Indonesia
  • Ursa Major
  • Ursa Minor
  • Miramushi
  • New Brunswick

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