Well, I Never Knew That!

[barry1010]

There are a lot of things other people seem to know automatically but I only know when I've been told (often a lot of explanation is needed).

I must have been in my 30s when I found out that the map of the London Underground does not follow the actual routes.

Anything gave you that 'lightbulb moment' that makes you feel like an idiot?

[david small]

Too many to mention barry1010. It started when I was about five, and hasn’t stopped since:-)

[barry1010]

david, do you get the feeling that you are the only one that didn't know?

[THECORBYLOON]

This is a link to a map showing the actual routes as they were back in 2014/15

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

[THECORBYLOON]

Ignore that...

[THECORBYLOON]

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/224813/response/560395/attach/3/London%20Connections%20Map.pdf

[jim360]

Isn't that just the standard Tube map? I thought that barry meant the geographical map is very different>

https://londontopia.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/real-tube-map.gif

[jim360]

Your post at 11:16 wasn't here when I made my last, so apologies for the double-post of the same info.

[ToraToraTora]

"I must have been in my 30s when I found out that the map of the London Underground does not follow the actual routes. " - well it was like when I realised religion was total bowlocks for me, as soon as I saw the map I knew it could not be how the routes are laid out. Done by Harry Beck originally.

[ToraToraTora]

game of Mornington crescent, anyone?

[Etch]

Prepare yourself for another shock, barry1010 - circuit diagrams for car electrical systems, circuit boards, etc. don't show how the components are actually laid out. :-)

[barry1010]

Ha! I really did know that, Etch, having spent many a day with my dad 'helping' to put car radios and 8 track players in to the old jalopy.

[gingejbee]

^aren't they called "schematics"...rather than "actualics"? (My own word - but think it does the job!)

[Etch]

I had encountered circuit diagrams before seeing the London tube 'map', so with its 'neat' appearance I have always seen it as a diagram showing the connectivity and order of arrival at the stations, rather than an actual map.

[bednobs]

when i was *not all that* young we lived near a cemetery. I asked my mum what it was and she said "it's where they bury people".
For a long time (longer than i should have) i hated walking through, because i was on the lookout for someone jumping out and trying to bury us.

[andy-hughes]

I never reealised until a few years ago that when you flash your headlights on your car, your rear lights flash as well.

I used to wonder why lorries would pass each other and then flash a 'thanks' with their headlights, when the driver behind wouldn't see them.

Now I know he sees the flash of the reds.

DOH!

[roopower]

I've just learnt something about flashing headlights. Well, I never! Thanks, andy.

[Rosie29]

Plenty for myself but my favourite one was when I was watching Would I Lie to You where people say something daft about themselves and the other team have to assess if it's true or not.
Tomasz Schafermaker - the weather man - said he was in his thirties before he realised that lambs were baby sheep. He was filming lambing on a farm and asked why it was called lambing. Everyone including him was helpless with laughter. What a sport !

[barry1010]

That's not something I would admit to, Rosie, assuming it was a 'truth'.

[Deskdiary]

Blond for men.
Blonde for women.

That was fairly recently.

[pixie374]

Embarrassingly recently, that you can reverse percentages.
So, 18% of 50 is the same as 50% of 18. Would have been useful at school...