Mister Smarty Pants Knows

Deep Purple and UB40 both had their first hits in America with covers of old Neil Diamond songs.

Francis Bacon, one of the most influential minds of the late 16th century, died by freezing to death. He was trying to freeze a chicken by stuffing it outside with ice.

According to one pathology examiner, topless dancers have a high suicide rate in Austin.

A petard is a battering ram with an explosive device on the end (hence, blown up by one's own weapon) and comes from the Greek word meaning "to fart."

When a male elephant goes into "musth," liquid seeps from his temporal gland and his penis and testosterone levels are 30-40 times normal.

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The above is information which Mr. Smarty Pants read in a book, a magazine, or the newspaper; heard on the radio; saw on television; or overheard at a party. Got any facts? Leave a message for Mr. Smarty Pants, at 454-5766, ext. 226 for possible inclusion in the column. E-mail: [email protected]