A fact is a thing that is known or proven to be true. However, in this case we are talking mostly about the person who is rambling on about whatever subject/subjects they are talking about, and the other person is just wanting them to get to the point quickly, so they can go on their way.

Some attribute the phrase to Joe Friday, the protagonist of the Dragnet radio and TV series. In his investigations as a police detective, he would run into eccentric, talkative, emotional people but he remained unflappable and tried to keep them from going off on tangents.

However, it’s often claimed that the actual phrase never came out of Friday’s mouth on Dragnet but instead derived from Stan Freberg’s parody record “St. George and the Dragonet.” Point taken.  

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”, John Adams, in defense of British soldiers in the 1770 Boston Massacre.

Some ramblers enjoy the attention that comes from people listening to them. They could be attention hogs, or even people that just don’t get enough attention in general, and they can be trickier. When all else fails, you need to just avoid them. If at all possible. 

As a youngster growing up in South Georgia, I used to set my clock every day to listen to Paul Harvey. At his peak. He had about 22 million listeners on some 1,300 stations. I did not always understand what he was talking about or his views, but it was short and succinct.  

The bible has a few words about facts. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).