Odd truths about everyday things

Does honey ever go bad?

Sealed honey does not spoil. Archaeologists have recovered pots of honey from ancient Egyptian tombs, sealed for over 3,000 years, still edible. Three things do it: almost no water, an acidic pH, and hydrogen peroxide produced by an enzyme from the bees.

Is a banana a berry, and is a strawberry not one?

Botanically, yes on both counts. A berry develops from a single flower with a single ovary and contains seeds inside its flesh — which describes a banana. A strawberry grows from a flower with many ovaries, making it an aggregate accessory fruit.

What is the dot over the letter i called?

It is called a tittle. The word comes from the Latin titulus, meaning a heading or inscription, and it describes the small distinguishing dot over a lowercase i or j. Scribes added it so the letters wouldn't get lost in dense handwriting.

What is Scotland's national animal?

The unicorn. It is not a joke or a tourist-board invention: the unicorn has appeared on the Scottish royal coat of arms since the twelfth century, and in heraldry it is always shown bound in a gold chain.

Does the Eiffel Tower change height?

Yes. The tower is made of iron, and iron expands when it warms. Across the seasons the Eiffel Tower's height varies by up to about 15 centimetres, and in strong wind the top can sway around 6 to 7 centimetres.