What The Factual? / Facts The Way I Like It!

It's Gill and Pete's 1 year anniversary since the first ever Facts The Way I Like it so in a celebratory episode they surprise everyone by sharing more facts. Ok, no surprise exactly but still...This Friday, Gill brings us the stpry of how Agatha Christie found inspiration and a new life in the Middle East, then she tells us of how Christian Dior was inspired by his sister Catherine's wartime resistance to eventually name one of his most iconic fragrances after her. Pete shares some bizarre facts about the legendary artist Salvador Dali and also tells the inspirational story of Mária Telkes who almost single handedly developed early solar power technology and created the Solar Still which saved countless lives during WWII. She finally left a legacy without which our solar technology may well not be where it is today.To finish the episode we have a birthday quiz based around famous people and famous quotes which itself ends with Pete dragging out his Beatles impressions again.After this episode there will be a small hiatus over Christmas. There may be some "greatest hits" episodes and maybe some re-issues to tide you over the Christmas period but Gill and Pete will be back in January!So with that, we're off to tour America with a pet Ocelot.Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

More fact-based festive frivolity for a Friday morning! This week Gill has a story of the female-led London gang known as the Forty Elephants who were generally up to no good but specialised in "clouting" (the act of steeling goods by hiding them within their clothing) and robbing well to do men in the Elephant and Castle area!Gill also tells us of the coincidental recovery of a lost priceless artwork which came about simply because a Hungarian art historian was watching an age-inappropriate movie.Finally, she tells us of the insanely unlikely romantic story of two lovers who were brought together by a message in a bottle. So there is hope for anyone still relying on internet dating. Pete has a pedantic story of why we are all using the word "decimated" wrongly. It turns out that it has a very disturbing historic definition which you wouldn't want to be a part of. He also tells us the ancient historic reason why we have 360 degrees in a circle and why we have never needed to decimalise that part of our mathematical system!  Finally he has a story that can provide some real inspiration to any budding Diamond thieves with a story of how a crew of the best of the best fell at a very simple but fatal hurdle.Right, we're off to half-eat a sanwich and see what we can hide in a cummerbund... Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

51 - The Waggle Dance, The Gherkin Headstone & a Trippy Bicycle RideIt's yet another Friday so Gill and Pete are back with more facts from around the world and all walks of life.This week, Gill takes us down etymology lane again and tells us where the phrase "tea caddy" comes from and why. She also shares the story of how a seemingly innocuous grave in the city of London became a Roman tomb with the Gherkin as a headstone. Finally she tells us the wonderful tale of how and why binge drinking is actually a noble British tradition. Although we are not condoning it... it's just in our history so maybe its fine?Pete has the story of the 1984 Dunnes Stores Strikers in which a group of Dublin shop workers took a stand and helped inspire the world to stand up to apartheid in South Africa. He also has the mind bending story of how LSD was accidentally discovered and developed and finally he tells us how Honeybees can pass on incredibly accurate GPS information through the medium of dance.We should also add that Amazon Alexa failed to help Pete find out that Domus (the latin) means house or residence, not "ruler"! Right, we are off to responsibly enjoy some alcohol and possibly some micrograms of LSD... (not really... it will probably be an ounce or two.)Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

Gill & Pete are back again with more Friday Fact Fun!This week Gill tells us the lovely story of how the term "woollybacks" is steeped in history and is not in fact a derogatory term for people from St. Helens. She also tells us the source of the word "ghost" and is championing the bringing back of the word "copemate". She also tells us how the word gossip was born! Finally she is here to tell you guys that putting your elbows on the table when you eat is absolutely fine... unless you have a dodgy table.Pete tells us the slightly chaotic story of how animals once ruled the streets of big cities and we didn't mind cos they ate the rubbish. Yes, you read that right. He also tells us of the strange, subliminal messages that certain folded corners of a calling card could convey.Finally he tells us of the great George Wilson who brought London to a standstill because the public couldn't cope with him walking a very very long way so they just had to gamble and drink. But it wasn't George's fault.Now we're off to have a have a bet on the Olympic walking event because we love it.Follow us on Social Media:Threads: @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram: @whatthefactualpodEmail us..: whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...: www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

Welcome back to WTF HQ for another Facts The Way I Like It!Gill is back in town from her round the world tour and frankly is bristling with more facts. This week Gill tells us of the mad craze that took hold of Victorian Britain and made everyone far too interested in ferns. Yes, ferns.She also tells us where the phrase "Being in the Limelight" comes from.Finally, she tells us how Kim Kardashian helped a priceless sarcophagus find its way home after a viral photo exposed the MET's somewhat mirky art purchase history.Pete weighs in this week with the story of Hedy Lamarr and how she and composer George Antheil developed an ingenious system to help the Second World War effort and prevent radio controlled torpedoes being intercepted by the enemy.Also, he tells us how that simple yet effective idea has become the bedrock of a vast array of modern technology and communications.He also shares the current runners and riders in the mid-21st century space race and the roadmap for the next humans to set foot on the moon and what it all might mean for human space endeavour overall.Finally, Pete has a few quick fire facts including Guy Fawkes' frankly useless ability to choose a pseudonym.Right, we're off to get some custard creams and methodically disassemble our toys to see how they work...Follow us on Social Media:Threads: @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram: @whatthefactualpodEmail us..: whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...: www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

It's Friday and we all know what that means... Except we don't because you're wrong. It's not Gill and Pete... It's Karen and Pete!Yes, stepping in for Gill Smith again, is our favourite stand in presenter and fellow keen fact nerd, Karen Hassan.This week Karen takes us down memory lane and reminds us of a time when instead of trawling through hundreds of films on Netflix and never making a decision, we would do that in person, standing in a Blockbuster store. She tells us all to dig out the crates in the loft to see if we have an original VHS worth a fortune. She also tells us the colourful history of Tarot cards and finally she tells us why we say "mind your P's and Q's" or why we think we do!Pete shares the story of a recently rediscovered composer, Florence Price who overcame prejudice in early 20th century America to achieve a musical first which has lead to her music being finally, rightly performed and appreciated by the world.He also shares the frankly ridiculous world of the Blanket Octopus and the slight mis-match between the male and the female and finally he suggests that if we're ever lost... Maybe try using a cow as a compass.Right, we're off to the local Cineplex with a VHS camcorder.Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

Friday means Facts. It's that simple. Gill and Pete are delving into more strange stories and lesser known facts from all walks of life. This week, Gill tells us about how and why Daylight Savings became I thing. She also tells us about the crazy variation in day length - just depending what planet you may find yourself on. If you think your day drags, try being on Venus.Finally she tells us about the island that changes its nationality every six months! Luckily no-one lives there otherwise it would mean constantly applying for a new passport.Pete shares the lonely plight of rogue planets and their constant hope for a new solar system / foster home. He also tells us the benefits of an 11 year old kid forgetting what he is doing and how it can lead to the birth of an iconic sweet treat.Finally, he lists a bunch of frankly mad idiotic laws, some of which are still in force and one of which shows that an "official" in Poland, looks at Winnie The Pooh and his attire (or lack of it) with different eyes to the rest of us.But anyway, we're off to find a rogue planet and offer it a nice warm home...Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

It's another Friday and another Fact tirade from Gill and Pete.This week Gill is back home and a bit delirious but she keeps it together for long enough to tell us about the Viking wedding ritual which depressingly involved grave robbing - but in a nice romantic way. She also tells us how F1 Pit stops have helped save many babies' lives. Finally, she tells us that in case of an unexpected war, the Tudors brought in a nice Sunday afternoon law as a way of keeping men's eyes in when it came to archery. Pete brings us down to earth with the stories of Luke Aikens and Vesna Vulović who both survived falls from great heights, but in very different circumstances.He also tells us why some buildings in London have "ANCIENT LIGHTS" painted on them and finally he tells us of George Crum who may or may not have invented the potato crisp / chip when a wealthy customer kept complaining about his fried potatoes.After all this we're off to The Skunk and Bucket (Pete's favourite fictional pub) for some crisps and to sweat our old lives away... Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.

Gill is back!! Well, ok she's still on the other side of the world but Gill dials in from Japan to share some local knowledge and some facts and stats about Japan and its culture.She also tests Pete's knowledge of Typhoons as one is getting a bit close for comfort!Pete shares a story of a true hero, Christina Santhouse who has had the challenge of living without half her brain and not only has she coped, she has thrived. He also has a Japanese fact of his own relating to food used on cooking shows and how it must never be wasted! Finally he talks band names and shares how PETA wanted the Pet Shop Boys to change their name to something a little less "controversial"!Now we're off to watch Natalie Portman's Shaved Head in the back room of The Skunk & Bucket.Follow us on Social Media:Threads:   @WhatTheFactualpodInstagram:  @whatthefactualpodEmail us..:  whatthefactualpod@gmail.comYoutube...:  https://www.youtube.com/@whatthefactualpodFacts The Way I Like It! is written and presented by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Subjects & Research by Gill Smith & Pete Moor.Sound, Editing & Music by Pete Moor.