London has a long and interesting history – so perhaps it’s no surprise that it has given rise to a number of weird and wonderful tales over the years.
What are you waiting for? It’s time to discover some fun, strange and interesting facts about London.
Fun Facts About London
London Had a Gin Craze, and it was… Crazy
No, we’re not kidding you. If you think that Londoners are obsessed with gin now, try London in the 18th century.
It’s a little-known fun fact about London that the city officially went through a period called the Gin Craze between 1720 and 1751.
During the peak of the craze, the average consumption of gin was 2 pints per week – for every person in the city – including children.
It’s a little known fun fact about London that the city officially went through a period called the Gin Craze between 1720 and 1751. During the peak of the craze, the average consumption of gin was 2 pints per week - for every person in the city - including children.Click to Tweet
The craze started when Parliament deregulated the distilling trade to deal with a surplus of corn – distillers flooded the market with cheap liquor and all hell broke loose. It finally ended when laws were passed to restrict the distilling and selling of gin.
Paddington Contains Two Fake Houses Built to Hide the Tube Line – They Also Pop Up in Sherlock
The Fake Houses of Leinster Gardens might look like normal houses – you need to walk around to the back of them to reveal the truth – that they’re completely fake.
The two houses are only a metre or so deep – they were built to replace two houses that were knocked down when the Metropolitan Line was created. You might recognise them from Sherlock too as they were used as a filming location for the hit TV series.
We Drive on the Left, Except for at The Savoy
In a bizarre turn of events, the only road on which we don’t drive on the left in the UK is the small road leading from the Savoy to The Strand and back again. The road layout means it’s a much more efficient way to drive – bet it didn’t hurt that it’s The Savoy either.
London is Actually a Forest
Standing in the middle of The City of London it feels difficult to believe but London has so many trees that it falls within the UN definition of a forest. In fact, London has its own official Forestry Conservator.
London has so many trees that it falls within the UN definition of a forest.Click to Tweet
A Bus Driver Had to Jump a 10 Ft Gap on Tower Bridge when it Opened with his Bus on it
Albert Gunter was driving a bus over Tower Bridge in 1952 when it started to rise – with the bus still on it.
It all ended well thanks to some quick thinking on Gunter’s part. He put his foot down, sped the bus up and got it to clear a 10ft gap before landing on the other side. He was given the day off as a reward.
There are Some Rather Naughty Street Names and They Give You a Pretty Good Idea of What they were Used for
Londoners have a reputation for being pretty blunt – in the past that extended to the naming of roads as much as anything else.
You can still find Cock Lane in Farringdon – it was the only street in London licensed for prostitution and housed more than its fair share of brothels. These days it’s a lot tamer affair.
But Some Were Deemed So Bad That they Had to be Changed
Some of London’s dirtier street names have been lost as they were deemed too filthy for decency.
Over the years we’ve waved farewell to Pissing Alley, Shiteburn Lane and Gropecunt Lane. Can’t think why.
Some of London’s dirtier street names have been lost as they were deemed too filthy for decency. Over the years we’ve waved farewell to Pissing Alley, Shiteburn Lane and Gropecunt Lane.Click to Tweet
You Used to be Able to Get Smacked Up with Harrods’ Welcome Present for Friends at The Front
The gift kit, sold by the prestigious department store in 1916 included morphine, coke and syringes for shooting it all up with.
Norway Has Gifted a Christmas Tree to London for Trafalgar Square Every Year Since 1947
The tradition started as a way for Norway to thank the UK for its alliance during World War II. The tree is specially picked and shipped over to London where it sits proudly in the middle of Trafalgar Square during the Christmas period.
Interesting Facts About London
The Heart of the City is only 1 Square Mile
You know how they refer to The City – the original heart of London as the Square Mile?
Well, they’re really not joking. Although London is home to a population of over 8 million people and 3,236 square miles, the City – the original heart of London is contained to an area of one square mile.
The Lord Mayor is Inducted into Power in Almost Total Silence
The Lord Mayor is the senior representative of the city and makes lots of important decisions on behalf of London.
However, the ceremony in which the mayor is inducted into power is known as the Silent Ceremony because barely any words are used throughout. It’s followed the next day by the much more flamboyant (and noisy) Lord Mayor’s Show.
London Still Has Sheriffs
London’s tradition of having Sheriffs dates all the way back to the 7th century and it’s still going strong.
They’re not sheriffs in the way that you might think – protecting the city from evildoers in the style of a country and western, the Sheriffs have to carry out the instructions of the High Court of Justice and also support the Lord Mayor and their jurisdiction only extends across the City of London (Square Mile).
During the Second World War, London Functioned as the Capital of Six Countries
Governments displaced by the Nazi regime took up residence in London during the second world war – so the city was the seat of government of six countries at the same time.
That covered the governments of France, Poland, Holland, Belgium and Norway and, of course, the United Kingdom.
The City has not One but Six Major Orchestras
We always tell people that London is cultured AF but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding.
London has six orchestras – The Royal Philharmonic, The London Philharmonic, The BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Banks in the City of London Used to Have to Be Located within a 10 Minute Walk of the Bank of England
This rule was actually revoked in 1980 but until that date, all banks operating in the City had to be within a 10 minute stroll of the Bank of England. This was so the Governor of the Bank of England could call an emergency meeting and have everyone in attendance within half an hour.
There are Always at Least Six Ravens in the Tower of London
Legend has it that the Tower of London will fall if there aren’t at least six ravens in residence at any given time. And there we were thinking that London was a progressive and forward-thinking city – lol.
The Royal Family Has its Own Flag and it’s Flown over Buckingham Palace when the Queen is in Residence
How do you tell whether the Queen is in residence when you go and see Buckingham Palace?
The answer’s pretty simple actually – the Royal Standard (yellow with a red dragon on it) is flown over the palace when the Queen is in residence. If you see the Union Jack it means the Queen isn’t at home.
London Zoo Used to be a Pretty Unsavoury Place
Zoos have come on leaps and bounds since their early days – perhaps none more so than London Zoo – back in its early 18th century days in the Tower of London. At that time you used to be able to enter for free if you brought a dog or cat to feed to the lions.
People Used to go and Visit an Insane Asylum Just for the Lols
London’s Bedlam Asylum used to be one of the city’s most visited attractions.
London’s 18th-century population used to head to the asylum to watch its inhabitants wreak havoc amongst themselves.
Waterloo is the Busiest London Underground Station and It’s Used by a Whopping 95 Million Passengers a Year
Each year the title of the busiest tube station goes to a different station. Before Waterloo, it was Oxford Circus, before that it was Victoria and before that, King’s Cross.
Want to Test Your London Knowledge? Check out this brilliant London Quiz
More than Half of the Underground Runs Overground
In the early days of the underground, lines needed to be near the surface to allow steam trains to vent the built-up steam when they emerged into the open air.
Little did they imagine how grateful we’d be for the snatched opportunities for phone signal when the train pops up into the open air.
The First Concepts for the Underground Were Pretty Bizarre
Before London decided to use good old trains, ideas for the underground included a series of underground rivers with commuter barges that would float between pre-designated stops.
Sounds a lot more peaceful than the Central Line during rush hour.
6.5 Million People Take a London Bus Every Day
That’s actually half of the total daily bus journeys in the UK.
Guy Fawkes’ Night Celebrates the Foiling of the Gunpowder Plot to Blow Up Westminster
Fireworks night is celebrated all across the country – there are lots of brilliant displays in London (Blackheath is our favourite).
It didn’t end so well for Guy Fawkes and his Gunpowder Plot co-conspirators though. After Guy Fawkes was discovered attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament, he was tortured before being hung, drawn and quartered.
London’s Bus System Covers the Equivalent of 12 x The Circumference of the Earth Each Year
London has a comprehensive bus system covering pretty much every part of the capital – it’s also the basis for one of the more astonishing facts about London.
Each year, the buses on London’s transport system drive over 300 million miles, which when you tot it up is more than 12x the earth’s circumference.
Londoners Love Pubs so Much, They Named Five Underground Stations After Them
You know the situation – you pop out of a tube station and see a pub with the same name.
We used to assume that the station came first but there are five underground stations named after nearby pubs: The Angel, Royal Oak, Elephant & Castle, Manor House and Swiss Cottage.
More People Live in London than in Austria
London’s population is nudging the 9 million mark (8.97 to be accurate), meaning more people live in London than in Austria.
That will not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever tried to get anywhere during rush hour.
Twice as Many People Visit London Every Year as Actually Live Here
That’s 19 million to the resident population of 8.97 million.
That explains why every train seat is taken up by a suitcase then (people, please stop doing this unless you’ve bought your suitcase a train ticket too).
The Shard is the Tallest Building in London and Made of 11,000 Panels of Glass
It’s notoriously bright and warm if you work or are staying in the offices or hotel inside it though.
Facts About London’s History
London has Been the Largest City in the United Kingdom Since the 17th Century
London had a population of ½ million inhabitants in the mid-17th century when it was the largest city in England.
It’s remained in that position ever since and is now the largest city in the United Kingdom (which only came into existence in the 18th century).
London is and Has Always Been Open
Much as people whinge about London becoming too diverse and somehow less British (it’s amazing how much respect you can lose for people like John Cleese as soon as drivel like that comes out of their mouths), London has always attracted immigrants.
Large-scale immigration in London started with the Huguenots in the 17th century, and has been followed by waves of Irish, African, Chinese and people from many more countries over the centuries.
Key takeaway? The idea that a few decades of immigration has somehow changed the fabric of a “truly British” London is a fabrication and a pretty laughable one.
And it Has the Diversity to Prove it
London is one of the most diverse cities in the world – together its residents speak over 300 languages and are made up of almost every known ethnic group on the planet.
London Has Hosted the Olympics Three Times
London is the only city in the world that has hosted the Olympics three times – in 1908, 1948 and most recently in 2012. The 1908 Olympics were also the longest in the history of the event – lasting a whopping 187 days.
London University was the First in Britain to Allow Women to Study
London has always taken a relatively progressive position on things – including allowing women to use their brains. In 1878, London University was the first in Britain to allow women to study and grant degrees to them.
London’s Underground System is So Old it Used to Be Powered by Steam Trains
London has the oldest underground system in the world (We tell you – if you want a real fascinating day, go to one of the TFL Transport Museum Depot opening days – it’s a real eye opener). Did you know that when it first started in 1863 the trains were powered by steam?
It wasn’t until 1890 that electric trains were introduced.
Looking for more quirky tales about London? Check out these cool Quotes about London
Parts of London Have Been Inhabited Since 4000BC
It was a far cry from the city that we find today but there have been settlements and villages in the area of London since the New Stone Age.
The Romans Established Londinium in AD43
The Romans conquered Britain under the Emperor Claudius – they established Londinium – a trading settlement on the north bank of the Thames in AD43.
The Great Plague Killed More than 100,000 Victims in 1665
The 1660s were a dire time for London with the Plague and the Great Fire of London decimating both the population and the buildings of London. London was no stranger to the bubonic plague, but 1665 saw the plague reach its peak thanks to warm weather and poor sanitation.
Over 100,000 people died in London as a result of the plague in that year alone.
The Great Fire of London Devastated Four Fifths of London in Four Days
Just as London was reeling from the catastrophic death toll of the Great Plague a few years before, it was hit by the Great Fire of London.
Famously started in Pudding Lane, The Great Fire raged for four days and four nights, destroying over 13,000 houses, 80 churches and making over 100,000 people homeless in the process.
London Was Bombed for 57 Successive Nights During the Blitz
London was bombed each and every night for 57 consecutive nights from 7 Sep 1940 during The Blitz.
Over 30,000 Londoners Died as a Result of Bombing in the Second World War
WWII took a heavy toll on London – over 30,000 people died as a result of German bomb and rocket raids, over 50,000 people were injured and most of the City of London was destroyed.
The Great Stink of London Gripped the City in 1858
We’ve talked about the Great Fire and the Great Plague but the Great Stink? Surely we’re pulling your leg. Let us assure you, we are not.
London was always a smelly and unsavoury city but it got so bad in 1858 a.k.a during The Great Stink that the city passed laws to stop the butchery of animals within the city and to stop people dumping sewage in the Thames.
London’s Underground Stations Often Hide Grisly Pasts
Take Aldgate Underground Station as an example – the station was built on what had previously been a mass grave for those who died from the plague. There are over 1,000 corpses underneath the station – rather horrid.
Londoners Used to Riot about Anything and Everything
These days it can feel like the city’s anger pulses underneath a veneer of British politeness but Londoners never used to shy away from a riot or two.
Never was this truer than in the 18th century when Londoners rioted about the Irish (1736), in defence of cheap booze (1743) and for political reform (1780).
The latter, the Gordon Riots, saw 50,000 storm the city in a five day rampage that led to 300 deaths and after which 25 people were hanged.
Big Ben isn’t Called Big Ben
Want a really fun fact about London? We’re betting that what you think of when you think of Big Ben isn’t actually Big Ben at all.
Most people refer to the tower and clock as Big Ben, when actually its name is Elizabeth Tower. Big Ben is the bell within the tower. Mind blown.
Ever Wondered Why Black Cabs Don’t Have to Rely on Sat Nav? It’s Because they Have the Knowledge
Black cab drivers are worth their weight in gold.
They’ll navigate you home after a steaming night out on the town in the blink of an eye and without relying on unpredictable sat nav systems.
Rather than it being down to Jedi levels of innate London intuition, it’s because they have to pass a ridiculously hard test called The Knowledge to get their licence. It generally takes 2-3 years of studying over 300 routes before you can pass.
There are Still Lots of Archaic Traditions Happening Across the City
Case in point? The Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues is when a navy boat has to pay a barrel of rum to the Constable at the Tower of London in order to enter the Port of London.
Of course, the whole procedure is surrounded by pomp and circumstance because Londoners love a good show almost as much as they love a good drink.
Henry III was Given a Polar Bear as a Present and he Kept it in the Tower of London
What do you give a king as a present? Well, at some point in history someone thought that the answer to that question was a polar bear.
Obviously. Henry III kept his pet polar bear chained up outside the Tower of London – it was next to the Thames though so it could catch plenty of fish.
Do You Live in Lundenwic?
During the millennia of London’s history, it has been called a number of names – Londinium by the Romans, Lundenwic by the Angles and Saxons… until it became the plain old London we know today.
Weird Facts About London
A Special Breed of Mosquito has Evolved to Live in the London Underground
Culex Pipiens Molestus is a subspecies of mosquito that has evolved specific habits suited to its life on the London Underground. It can live in dark places for long periods of time, doesn’t have to hibernate, is a particularly voracious biter and doesn’t need water to lay its eggs.
Nature is truly, truly terrifying.
Trafalgar Square’s pigeon problem got so bad that former mayor Ken Livingstone made it illegal to feed pigeons in the square in 2003. These days it’s a much cleaner and less poop-ridden affair.Click to Tweet
It is Against the Law to Feed the Pigeons in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square’s pigeon problem got so bad that former mayor Ken Livingstone made it illegal to feed pigeons in the square in 2003. These days it’s a much cleaner and less poop-ridden affair.
Trafalgar Square’s pigeon problem got so bad that former mayor Ken Livingstone made it illegal to feed pigeons in the square in 2003. These days it’s a much cleaner and less poop-ridden affair.Click to Tweet
It’s Illegal to Wear a Suit of Armour in the Houses of Parliament
And has been since 1313 when the Statute Forbidding Bearing of Armour was passed.
We know, it really would have been fun to turn up in the public galleries in your ancestral suit but it’s just not worth the punishment.
In 1814 a Tidal Wave of Beer was Unleashed on London and it Killed Eight People
Swimming in beer might sound like an absolute dream but the London Beer Flood is one of those facts about London that will make you think twice.
It all started when a vat of beer in the Meaux & Company Brewery exploded, unleashing a huge tsunami of beer that swept down from Tottenham Court Road to the surrounding streets. Of the eight people who died, five of them were attending a wake.
The Mayor has to Grant Permission to The Queen to Enter the City of London
If the Queen wants to enter the City of London, she has to formally request permission from the Mayor via a ceremony held at Temple Bar.
It’s a precedent that the mayor allows her to enter but we’ve all seen the stark difference between convention and reality this year so who knows, maybe that’s yet another convention that will be broken…
The Tower of London is Not Actually Called The Tower of London
We have all come to know and love the iconic Tower of London… but did you know that the fortress’ real name is Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London?
Its nickname is taken from The White Tower, which is the main portion of the building and was built by William the Conqueror.
The Smallest Statue in the World was Built in London
Two mice eating a piece of cheese, aka The Philpot Lane Mice, is the smallest-known statue in London. But this adorable sculpture has a darker meaning…
It was built to honour two builders who plunged to their deaths during an argument over a stolen sandwich – however, it’s believed that the theft was, in fact, the work of a cheeky mouse in stealth mode.
So-Called Facts About London that Aren’t Actually True
We’ve been bombing you guys with so many interesting and fun facts about London – but we came across a few myths that aren’t actually true.
Time to debunk a couple of “facts” about London.
It is Categorically Not Illegal to Die in The Houses of Parliament
This one crops up in a couple of places.
First of all, how would you ever punish someone for dying in the wrong place?
Secondly, people have died in the Houses of Parliament in the past – one such person was Sir John Cust, the then Speaker of the House who is said to have died of a result of not being able to leave the chair during the sitting to go to the loo.
The Guy Did Not Mean to Buy Tower Bridge
There’s a particularly persistent rumour that pretty much every Londoner will have heard at some point or another and gleefully passes on to anyone who will listen.
The story goes that American tycoon Robert McCulloch, who bought London Bridge in 1967 to re-erect in a community he’d founded in Lake Havasu had actually meant to buy London’s much more iconic Tower Bridge.
What japes!
Unfortunately for the punchline, it’s just not true – McCulloch had always intended to buy London Bridge. Killjoy.
Do you have any more interesting facts about London?
Learn More About London…
- Tower of London Facts
- 60 Brilliant Things to do in London
- Free Museums in London You Shouldn’t Miss
FAQs
What is a weird fact about London? ›
London is the only city in the world that has hosted the Olympics three times. In 1908, 1948 and most recently in 2012. The 1908 Olympics were also the longest in the history of the event – lasting a whopping 187 days.
What are 5 interesting facts about London? ›- Over 300 languages are spoken in London. ...
- It is not illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. ...
- Police never caught Jack the Ripper. ...
- The Great Plague killed a third of Europe's population. ...
- The Tower of London houses six ravens. ...
- The London Underground could have been water-based.
- Glaciers and ice sheets hold about 69 percent of the world's freshwater. ...
- The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles per hour. ...
- Recent droughts in Europe were the worst in 2,100 years. ...
- The best place in the world to see rainbows is in Hawaii.
- Hot water will turn into ice faster than cold water. ...
- The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. ...
- The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue. ...
- Ants take rest for around 8 Minutes in 12-hour period. ...
- "I Am" is the shortest complete sentence in the English language.
It is the largest metropolis in the United Kingdom, and it is also the country's economic, transportation, and cultural centre. In addition to its history, art, and politics, London is a popular tourist destination for its wide variety of museums, shops, restaurants, and sports teams.
What is London's darkest history? ›The autumn of 1348 signaled the beginning of The Black Death and one of the darkest moments in London's history. Having spread from Asia through to North Africa and then Europe, this incurable and quiet frankly horrific disease reached England's shores.
What is London's full name? ›Until 1889, the name "London" applied officially only to the City of London, but since then it has also referred to the County of London and to Greater London. In writing, "London" is occasionally contracted to "LDN".
Why is London so amazing? ›London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with over a third of its population born in a foreign country. You can find restaurants serving national dishes from almost every country on the planet, which means you never have to go to the same place twice. 2.
How did London get its name? ›In Historia Regum Britanniae, the name is described as originating from King Lud, who seized the city Trinovantum and ordered it to be renamed in his honour as Kaerlud. This eventually developed into Karelundein and then London.
What are some WTF facts? ›- Animals that lay eggs don't have belly buttons.
- Mr. Potato Head was the first toy to be advertised on TV.
- Boanthropy is the psychological disorder in which patients believe they are a cow.
- Camels have three eyelids.
- There is a McDonalds in every continent except Antarctica.
What is the craziest fun fact ever? ›
- The Queen Owns all the Swans and Dolphins! ...
- There is a Village Called Dull. ...
- Urine Used To Be A Detergent. ...
- Apple Pips Are Poisonous! ...
- These Creepy Coffins Were Found on Arthur's Seat! ...
- You Can't Hold Your Nose and Hum. ...
- There is a Fish with Legs. ...
- The Bayeux Tapestry is 70 Metres Long!
- It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ...
- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
- A shrimp's heart is in its head.
- It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
About 75% of your brain is made of water. Your heart beats about 115,000 times a day. Jupiter is the fastest spinning planet in the solar system. The nearest star to Earth is 4.2 light-years away.
What are 5 weird facts? ›- The dot over a lowercase i and j has a name! ...
- Water makes different sounds depending on its temperature! ...
- McDonald's invented a sweet-tasting type of broccoli! ...
- Rabbits can't be sick! ...
- Humans are the only animals that blush! ...
- The hashtag symbol has a fancy term!
- You typically only breathe out of one nostril at a time. ...
- "Vegetables" don't really exist. ...
- More people drown in fresh water than in salt water. ...
- Your brain uses up around 20 percent of your body's blood and oxygen. ...
- Ravens' moods are affected by others.
Nicknames for London
As well as official names, the capital has also attracted a number of sobriquets over the years. Probably the most famous is The Big Smoke, The Old Smoke, or simply The Smoke. These names refer to the dense fogs and smogs that would permeate the city from ancient times.
A person from London is known as a Londoner.
Why is London No 1 city of the world? ›London named best city in 2023
London is home to 11 million people, the report states, and is also known for its restaurants, food culture, architecture and luxurious properties. Not only that, the city attracts the rich, making it one of the most preferred and loved cities across the globe.
...
Black British people.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| England | 2,381,724 (4.2%) (2021 census) |
| Scotland | 36,178 (0.7%) (2011 census) |
| Wales | 27,554 (0.8%) (2021 census) |
| Demographics of London | |
|---|---|
| Major ethnic | White: 53.8% (2021) White British: 36.8% (2021) |
| Minor ethnic | Asian British: 20.8% (2021) Black British: 13.5% (2021) Mixed: 5.7% (2021) Other: 6.3% (2021) |
| Language | |
| Spoken | British English (main language: 78.4%) |
What is the black population of London? ›
| Ethnic Group | 1991 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Number | % | |
| Black or Black British: Total | 535,216 | 13.32% |
| Black or Black British: African | 163,635 | 7.92% |
| Black or Black British: Caribbean | 290,968 | 3.93% |
Londinium, also known as Roman London, was the capital of Roman Britain during most of the period of Roman rule. It was originally a settlement established on the current site of the City of London around AD 47–50.
What does London mean for a girl? ›The meaning of London has evolved over time, but it's generally been associated with strength, power, and a sense of adventure.
What was England's old name? ›The name Engla land became England by haplology during the Middle English period (Engle-land, Engelond). The Latin name was Anglia or Anglorum terra, the Old French and Anglo-Norman one Engleterre. By the 14th century, England was also used in reference to the entire island of Great Britain.
Is London best city in world? ›According to the latest survey by real estate and tourism consultancy Resonance, London has been named as the best city in the world for 2023, beating Paris, New York, Japan, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong and many other popular cities across the globe.
Why do people love London so much? ›London is gothic grandeur. London is vibrant culture. London is pure magic. One of the world's most visited cities, London has something for everyone: from history and culture to fine food and exceedingly good times.
What is one of the best things about London? ›- Tower of London. 66,959. Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks. ...
- The British Museum. 73,506. Speciality Museums • Art Museums. ...
- London Eye. 88,738. ...
- National Gallery. 40,453. ...
- Tower Bridge. 39,780. ...
- Natural History Museum. 37,598. ...
- Churchill War Rooms. 23,425.
The Latin motto of the City is Domine dirige nos, which translates as "Lord, direct (guide) us". It appears to have been adopted in the 17th century, as the earliest record of it is in 1633.
Is London a boy or girls name? ›London is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin and is the name given to the capital of England and the United Kingdom.
What is SoHo short for? ›SoHo (an acronym for South of Houston Street) still features galleries, though these days the work within them tends toward the more high-end commercial—matching the luxury boutiques and independent-designer outposts that characterize the area.
What is a useless fun fact? ›
In 10 minutes, a hurricane releases more energy than all the world's nuclear weapons combined. On average, 100 people choke to death on ballpoint pens every year. (This never happened back when we used feather quills on parchment.) On average, people fear spiders more than they do death.
Did you know scary facts? ›- There is an ancient book full of strange symbols no one can translate. ...
- In 1872 a ship was discovered floating in the ocean with no signs of its crew or passengers! ...
- The Tower of London is haunted by lots of ghosts. ...
- A dead Pope was once put on trial.
1) Women have a keener sense of smell than men; 2) Brown eggs are not more nutritious than white eggs — it just means they came from a difference breed; 3) 20% of all airline passengers catch a cold after a two-hour flight!
What are some boring facts? ›- Flamingos can only eat with their heads upside down. ...
- There are 32 muscles in a cat's ear. ...
- The chicken and the ostrich are the closest living relatives of the Tyrannosaurus rex. ...
- It's impossible to tickle yourself. ...
- Dr Seuss invented the word 'nerd'.
Tuesday is named after Tiw, the Norse god of single combat, victory and glory, and Tiw is associated with Mars, the Roman god of war, hence the day being known as 'Mardi' in French, 'Martes' in Spanish and 'Martedi' in Italian. Tuesday is considered to be an unlucky day in the Greek and Spanish-speaking worlds.
Did you know rare facts? ›- Grapes light on fire in the microwave. ...
- There are almost 8 million possible seven-digit phone numbers per area code. ...
- Spaghetto, confetto, and graffito are the singular forms of spaghetti, confetti, and graffiti. ...
- McDonald's once created bubblegum-flavored broccoli.
- You Contain Trillions of Bacteria. ...
- Your Eye Is Your Fastest Muscle. ...
- 100,000 Miles of Blood Vessels. ...
- Only 2% of Humans Have Green Eyes. ...
- The Skin Is Your Largest Organ. ...
- When We breathe, We Favor One Nostril. ...
- We Don't Know Why We Yawn. ...
- Eyes Remain Almost the Same Size Your Entire Life.
The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet (9 m). Diet Coke was only invented in 1982. There are more than 1,700 references to gems and precious stones in the King James translation of the Bible. When snakes are born with two heads, they fight each other for food.
Did you know facts for 7 year olds? ›Each of your hands has 14 finger bones. After about age 30, people start shrinking – they get a bit shorter every year. People can go without drinking water for as long as a week without dying. They can go without food for about a month.
What is the best random fact? ›- Competitive art used to be in the Olympics. ...
- A chef's hat has exactly 100 pleats. ...
- "OMG" usage can be traced back to 1917. ...
- Some cats are actually allergic to humans. ...
- The majority of your brain is fat. ...
- Oranges aren't naturally occurring fruits.
What is a scary fact? ›
46 Pigs can eat anything, and that includes humans. 47 Fatal familial insomnia makes it impossible for someone to sleep for months. 48 Medical errors cause around 250,000 deaths every year. 49 Locked-In Syndrome is a scary condition where you are conscious while in a coma.
What are 20 interesting facts? ›- Humans are the Only Animals That Enjoy Spicy Foods. ...
- Humans Are Also the Only Animals Whose Brains Shrink. ...
- Potato Chips Cause More Weight Gain Than Any Other Food. ...
- That Fish is Probably Labeled Wrong. ...
- Bananas Can't Reproduce. ...
- It's Impossible to Hum While You Hold Your Nose.
- 1) It snows in the Sahara Desert. ...
- 2) There are only two countries in the world where Coca Cola does not exist. ...
- 3) Sudan has the most pyramids in the world (not Egypt) ...
- 4) Colombia's brightest rainbow is in its river.
In the 19th century, London was the capital of the largest empire the world had ever known — and it was infamously filthy. It had choking, sooty fogs; the Thames River was thick with human sewage; and the streets were covered with mud.
Does London have a nickname? ›The Big Smoke
The Big Smoke is perhaps the most well known of London's nicknames. London was once an industrial hotbed, with many factories all over the city.
Cow walking in the street in daylight is not allowed
It is illegal to walk a cow through the street in daylight hours, well specifically from 10 am to 7pm. This law was originally found in the Metropolitan Streets Act, while the Highway Act 1980 forbids leaving mud and dung from cows on the road.
English is spoken across the UK, but it is not the only native official language. You may also hear: Welsh in Wales. Gaelic and Scots in Scotland.
What are people from London called slang? ›To most outsiders a Cockney is anyone from London, though contemporary natives of London, especially from its East End, use the word with pride.
What is London's old name? ›Londinium (as the Romans called this place) was ideally located for business. Situated on the north bank of the Thames, it soon became a bustling port and trade thrived.
How is the oldest part of London called? ›The Square Mile is part of the oldest settlement in London
The district known as the Square Mile represents the oldest part of London, once known as 'Londinium' by the Romans.
What are London boys called? ›
Who were London Boys? London Boys were an English dance-pop duo comprised of Edem Ephraim and Dennis Fuller. They lived near Hamburg, Germany, since 1981, but the pair first met when they were at school in Greenwich, London.
What is short for London? ›LDN is usually contractional slang for London, UK.
Did you know English fun facts? ›About 4,000 words are added to the dictionary each year. The two most common words in English are I and you. 11% of the entire English language is just the letter E. The English language is said to be one of the happiest languages in the world – oh, and the word “happy” is used 3 times more often than the word “sad”!
What are two unique things England is known for? ›ENGLAND is famous for many things - David Beckham, Fish and Chips, Big Ben, Red Buses, black cabs, Oasis, Blur, the Beatles, London and tea. England is famous for its long history. England is famous for its Royal Family. Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence still in use.