Scissors, Storms & Snobby Nobles: A Cut Above the Rest

Ever wondered why napkins were once a royal controversy, who actually invented scissors, or why fish sometimes fall from the sky? Buckle up—today’s trivia tour takes you from medieval dinner tables to ancient Egypt and an actual fish storm.

🍽️ The Napkin That Upset a King

• Back in the 16th century, the idea of using a napkin was downright scandalous. Why? Because before napkins, people wiped their hands on the tablecloth, their clothes, or—wait for it—their dogs. When French king Henry III introduced napkins to court, many nobles were offended by the suggestion that their usual methods were uncivilized.

  Some flat-out refused to use them, believing a fancy cloth was unnecessary when a good ol’ sleeve did the job just fine. Eventually, common sense (and probably some very dirty doublets) won out, and napkins became a staple at the table.

  🔹 Takeaway: If you’ve ever used your jeans as a napkin, congratulations—you were just following 16th-century etiquette.

✂️ Scissors: An Ancient Egyptian Life Hack

• You might think scissors are a relatively modern invention, but these handy tools have been around for over 3,000 years. The earliest known scissors date back to ancient Egypt around 1500 BCE, and they were spring-loaded. Instead of two separate blades pivoting, these early scissors had a flexible metal strip connecting them, requiring users to squeeze them together to cut.

  The Romans later refined the design into the cross-blade scissors we use today, making them easier to handle. So whether you’re wrapping presents or giving yourself an ill-advised quarantine haircut, you’ve got ancient engineers to thank.

  🔹 Takeaway: Scissors have been around for millennia—so if yours go missing, don’t worry, losing them is practically a historical tradition.

🌧️ When It Literally Rains Fish

• You’ve heard the phrase “raining cats and dogs,” but what about actual fish falling from the sky?

  In certain parts of the world, including Honduras, fish rain is a real (and weirdly common) phenomenon. Scientists believe it happens when strong storms pick up fish from nearby bodies of water and drop them miles away. This “Lluvia de Peces” (Rain of Fish) occurs so often in Yoro, Honduras, that locals even celebrate it with an annual festival.

  One catch? The fish are often found miles inland—nowhere near the ocean. Some believe underground rivers may also play a role, but the mystery still isn’t fully solved.

  🔹 Takeaway: If you ever get hit by a flying fish, don’t be alarmed—it’s just extreme weather giving you dinner.

From royal napkin drama to ancient scissors and fishy rain, today’s trivia proves that history and nature have zero chill.

Stay curious—and if you see something falling from the sky, maybe bring an umbrella.

Yours in delightful discovery,

— Max Whitt🎩🍽️✂️🌧️

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