Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Wednesday, and it’s time for another post in the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews. If you’d like to participate in the challenge, you can find the list of topics for 2026 here. If you’re interested in reading other people’s responses to this week’s topic, you can do so here.
A Weird Fact I Learned from Reading Fiction
My grasp of this week’s topic was weak, to say the least. I guess I didn’t really understand it, or else it was too broad. So I flailed about for literary facts(ish) in my mind and came up with the following:
Wendy did not exist before Peter Pan.
Before J. M. Barrie wrote Peter Pan, the name Wendy didn’t really exist. He coined the name after a young girl called him her fwiendy-wendy.
The answer to life, the universe and everything is 42.
At least, that is, according to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, who chose the number because it was a relatively small and ordinary number that sounded funny. I’d like to believe that this is true—that the universe really is that simple when all is said and done.
Dr Seuss never fails.
“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”
Well, this is certainly a fact! I remember reading this to my nephew years ago and thinking how true and utterly profound it was.
This one’s definitely a bit of a cheat, but, whilst watching Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home recently, it came to the scene where they discuss transparent aluminium. I didn’t think it was a real thing. But, turns out, it’s very real, and it’s used in things like transparent armour and aircraft windows.
Finally, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was written on a bet. She was challenged, along with others in her group (all men), to write the scariest ghost story, and, obviously, she won. She was 18 years old when she started and 20 when it was published.
Well, that’s it for post 34!
As ever, thank you for stopping by to read my words. I appreciate it.
Until next time,
George
© 2026 GLT
Categories: life, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge
GEORGE L THOMAS 
Interesting! I have a cousin named Windy, but it’s spelled the weather way. I didn’t realize the name was so new!
LikeLiked by 1 person
42 is a good answer. I still think about that scene regularly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too! 😊
LikeLike