Totalitarianist

Many people believe that the Nazis invented their salute, but in fact it has been around since ancient Rome. They saluted as they exclaimed "Hail Cesear!". Mussolini made it popular in the 1920's; the Nazis copied him; moreover, the Americans used it in the Revolutionary war.

It is not, therefore, a Nazi salute, contrary to popular belief.

Godless Dave

I learned that in 8th grade, but thanks for the info. The Boy Scouts of American also used a similar salute before WWII.

ju'iblex

it may have been invented by someone else, but thats completely irrelevant, its all a matter of context.

for example, the English word bland comes from the Latin blandus meaning flattering or charming. Context decides its meaning.

Deadend

Few people know that French Fries are originally from Belgium.

Monkeybot

So Coke cans are not really Coke cans, since the Coca-Cola company didn't invent aluminum cans?

BrotherMan

Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?

echidna

Let me add another Roman gladiatorial gesture.

Mecha_Dude

Did you know that Bernoulli's principle states that the faster a fluid travels over an object, the less pressure it exerts on that object?

Sakpo

The Nazis didn't invent the swastika either. It doesn't rob the symbol of the meaning it gained after they adopted it.

echidna

But fluid was doing this long before 1738 so it's not Bernoulli's principle, contrary to popular belief.