You’re not alone in not knowing these things. But everyone else seems to know them, so what gives? An internet survey recently asked, “What really obvious thing have you only just realized?” Here are the top 18 responses:
The Phrase Mint Condition Means Like New Because It’s the Condition Coins Leave the Mint In
“Wow, I always thought it meant mint condition because mint makes you feel fresh.”
“Here’s a doozy: coins are engraved, bills are minted.”
I Always Thought Prima Donna Was Pre-Madonna
“I’ve been judging Madonna too harshly because of this.”
“Until reading this, I, too, thought it was Pre-Madonna.”
It’s Not “The Mayor of Bad News”; It’s Actually “the Bearer of Bad News”
“I can’t stop laughing at this. I strive to be the Mayor of Bad News one day. Maybe even today.”
“Approaching someone about a tragedy suffered by their family. “I hate to be the mayor of bad news..” you say, as you sadly put on your top hat, “but there’s been a terrible accident.””
The Meaning of the Why Is 6 Afraid of 7 Joke
“I always thought it was dumb, 7,8,9 like you’re just counting. The electric bill wasn’t paid until later in my life.”
The Meaning of Birthday Suit
“I thought for the longest time it was a specific set of clothes you would wear on your birthday each year. I found out when I asked, “What happens when you don’t fit in your birthday suit anymore?””
Cilantro and Coriander Are the Same Plants
“Once, I was at a restaurant with a friend, sharing salsa and chips. I commented that the salsa had a strong cilantro flavor, and she commented she couldn’t taste anything other than coriander. We debated the issue for a few minutes, in disbelief that the other person was tasting something completely “different” and couldn’t pick up on the taste the other thought was prominent.”
The Plank on A Pirate Ship Is Not an Addition Pirates Added to Their Ships as A Means of Public Execution
“It is, in fact, the very same plank as the gangplank you’d normally use to get on and off of the ship. It is not the presence of the plank threatening, but the absence of a dock.”
“No historical recordings of anyone being made to walk the plank. It’s a Hollywood creation, although it may have happened and was never recorded.”
You Have to Add a Can of Water to Campbell’s Soup
“I’ve apparently been drinking straight condensed soup.”
“You can dilute it a little, but the “whole can” on the label directions is false. Oh, and depending on the soup, try milk (especially tomato soup!).”
No Strollers Means Something Different in The US
“The first time I visited the USA, I was on my own, in NY, and going to all the museums. I kept seeing signs that said “No strollers” and thought, because we call strollers prams in the UK, you guys are super strict about the proper amount of attention required to visit a museum. I pretended to show more interest than I had to not be considered some deadbeat out for a casual stroll.”
Calling Someone Simple Is Just a Nice Way of Calling Someone Stupid
“Simple could also mean uncomplicated or not conniving, but maybe I’m just naive.”
“I also just recently figured this out. I’ve been reading the ASOIAF (Game of Thrones) series, and a few characters are often referred to as “simple.” After wrapping my head around this, I reread the chapters and missed the subtle hints for specific characters. It’s like I missed some major parts of the story.”
Narwhals Are Real
“I only realized they were a real animal this year, and I’m 30. I felt dumb being told they are, in fact, real by someone half my age.”
“I still tease my husband for not believing in narwhals. He refuses to believe that they are real, but I think he doesn’t want to admit that I was right and he was wrong.”
I’m Allergic to Carrots
“I just thought they made everyone’s mouth numb, just like almonds… I also learned recently that I have an almond allergy.”
“Same. I asked my husband why carrots made his tongue itchy, and I’m 35.”
The Meaning of “You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too”
“Turns out they mean you can’t eat the cake while retaining it. Once it is eaten, it is gone. An idiom I only understood this year. I am 27.”
“The Italian version of this is, “You can’t have a full bottle and a drunk wife” or something along those lines.”
The Term “Knee Jerk Reaction”
“My whole life, I had been saying it how I heard it and just figured it was spelled something like “nitric reaction” like it was some psychology term.”
I Thought “Pay-per-View” Was Actually “Paper View”
“I had only ever heard people say it and recently saw it written out.”
Parents Have Children Write Letters to Santa so They Can Figure Out What To Buy Them for Christmas
“I can’t believe how I never put that together after 32 years on this earth. I just thought it was a fun little tradition.”
How Door Knobs Work
“My bedroom door was broken, and I finally fixed it. I thought the knob was broken because the button was pushed towards the door, so I pulled it out and realized that was how you lock the door.”
It’s Called Men’s Wearhouse and Not Men’s Warehouse
“It’s been a couple years since I realized this, and I just think that’s a clever name.”
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