As our days grow hotter and hotter and we reach for the A/C switch, let's consider what life was like Back in the Day when we had to suffer. Here are three factoids to drop into today's conversations.

1) The summer of 1896 was so hot that New Yorkers slept on rooftops and fire escapes. Over 1500 of them rolled off edges to their deaths.

2) Until 1920, most of America shut down during the high heat, even Broadway. Theaters moved outside, creating everyone's favorite -- Summer Stock.

3) Moms bought "baby cages," boxes to hang their infants outside windows, dangling above the pavement.

If you can't make your conversation sparkle with these, you just aren't trying.

And now let's make our bidding sparkle.