Learn Something New Every Day

A urinal? Really?

I love to learn new oddball facts. Especially while reading the newspaper.

Like today's New York Times article about a new statue of Pope John Paul II. 

I can't really tell from the photo provided and I'm not sure if I care enough to delve deeper or to join in the "crescendo of outrage," but I do like learning new words and factoids.

Here's my Fact of the Day:

"The starkly spare sculpture by a Rome-based artist, Oliviero Rainaldi, depicts the pope condensed into a massive mantle as if to envelop the faithful. It has been alternately described as a sentry box, a bell and a papal vespasiano, as Romans call a urinal. (Vespasian was the first-century emperor who levied a tax on urine, which was used for tanning leather.)"



Who Knew?
(Or maybe Who Cares?)

Possibly Related Post: Word A Day