Odd factoids

[Blue Hills]

It can certainly go upstairs.

I remember this because of the amusing case in Inverness in the '50s when a cow escaped from an auction and ran down the street before climbing a set of stairs leading above a shop. Unfortunately the cow fell through into the shop below, knocking on a tap in the process and flooding it whilst it ran amok. (I've forgotten the name of the case.)

And then the unfortunate shopkeeper found that his insurance policy had a clause excluding this eventuality.

 

[Salty seadog]

More people have died falling off The Monument than in the Great Fire it commemorates.

Not true that one. Only 6 deaths were officially recorded. The many deaths of the poor were not considered worthy of record.

 

[Drago]

A disturbing, but true one...

Mae Tze Tung never bathed or washed.

 

[Dirk]

If you buy a lottery ticket you've a much greater chance of being hit by lightning, than winning.

 

[jefmcg]

If you buy a lottery ticket you've a much greater chance of being hit by lightning, than winning.

You need to be more precise, I think. I think the only fair way to compare it is with your chances of being struck by lightning while waiting for lottery win, so 7 days - they draw the lottery every week, right?

Chances of winning national lottery is 1/14 million (thank you google). Chances of being struck by lightning ....
30-60 struck per year in the UK (again, google), so let's say that's a 60/66 Million chance of being struck by lightning in a year, or roughly 1/66 million chance of being struck while waiting for your number to come up. So, no.

Let's see, if you wanted to have an equal chance of being struck by lightning or winning the lottery you'd need to buy a ticket about every month.

 

[Andy_R]

You need to be more precise, I think. I think the only fair way to compare it is with your chances of being struck by lightening while waiting for lottery win, so 7 days - they draw the lottery every week, right?

Chances of winning national lottery is 1/14 million (thank you google). Chances of being struck by lightening ....
30-60 struck per year in the UK (again, google), so let's say that's a 60/66 Million chance of being struck by lightening in a year, or roughly 1/66 million chance of being struck while waiting for your number to come up. So, no.

Let's see, if you wanted to have an equal chance of being struck by lightening or winning the lottery you'd need to buy a ticket about every month.

You're more likely to be hit by lightning than lightening, but lightning does have a lightening effect on the sky, momentarily.

 

[Blue Hills]

The frankenstein monster, or boris karloff, was born (as the more english sounding william henry pratt) in forest hill, south east london. Ground floor is now a chippy. The things you come across cycling. Always pause or unclip to check out a blue plaque fellow cyclists.

 

[Blue Hills]

James Callaghan, ex british pm, who never did use the infamous crisis phrase, is buried in a large plant pot outside a well known london hospital. Along with his wife i think.

 

[Profpointy]

You need to be more precise, I think. I think the only fair way to compare it is with your chances of being struck by lightning while waiting for lottery win, so 7 days - they draw the lottery every week, right?

Chances of winning national lottery is 1/14 million (thank you google). Chances of being struck by lightning ....
30-60 struck per year in the UK (again, google), so let's say that's a 60/66 Million chance of being struck by lightning in a year, or roughly 1/66 million chance of being struck while waiting for your number to come up. So, no.

Let's see, if you wanted to have an equal chance of being struck by lightning or winning the lottery you'd need to buy a ticket about every month.

For all that I know 3 people who've been struck by lightening, one on two seperate occasions. I don't know anyone who's won a big prize on the lottery.

 

[Dirk]

If you buy a lottery ticket on Saturday lunchtime you've more chance of dying, by any means, than of winning the same evenings draw.

 

[Profpointy]

Yeah but, being struck by lightning is a low probability event and individual risks must vary hugely. Golfers are, quite rightly, at much greater risk than people in comas.

I certainly don't associate with golfers !

 

[Dirk]

OK but the person who was struck on two occasions, what where they?

Conductors?

 

[Profpointy]

OK but the person who was struck on two occasions, what where they?

He was somewhere in the wilds of Scotland on at least one of the occasions I understand.

 

[Profpointy]

On the other I acknowledge that certain individuals have a marginally higher chance of winning the lottery.


eg they actually buy a ticket

 

[Andy_R]

OK but the person who was struck on two occasions, what where they?

Dunno, but I bet he was called Rod.