Today I Learned

[monster]

That chinking cups during a toast was originally to ensure a little liquid was exchanged so no-one poisoned the drink of another

That chameleons' color changing is based on their temperament rather than their surrounding

That Cuttlefish and Octopussies can change texture as well as color to blend into their surroundings.

I haven't fact-checked any of these, but they came from reliable sources during after-dinner conversation tonight

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by monster

That chinking cups during a toast was originally to ensure a little liquid was exchanged so no-one poisoned the drink of another

This I didn't know. If asked I'd have posited it was the noise which was important, to ward off evil spirits. Now I can be all superior and refuse to toast saying wearily, "It's okay, I don't actually think you're trying to poison me."

That chameleons' color changing is based on their temperament rather than their surrounding

This however I did know. It's actually an annoying piece of knowledge as so many advertisers/ greeting card manufacturers/ comedians do not seem aware of it. But perhaps that's just because I'm such a pedant, and it doesn't bother other people who know this.