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17 Euphemisms for Sex From the 1800s

While shoe-horning these into conversation today might prove difficult, these 17 synonyms for sex were used often enough in 19th-century England to earn a place in the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, a book for upper-crust Britons who had no idea what the proles were talking about. 1. Amorous congress To say two people were engaged in the amorous congress was by far the most polite option on the list, oftentimes serving as the definition for other, less discreet synonyms. 2.... READ ON

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5 Things to Remember About Teachers for Back to School

Earlier this year you may have heard about a “War on Teachers,” where discussions of how little teachers work compared to how much they're paid got a lot of play in the media. With school starting again, let's take a closer look at our teachers. 1. They Don’t Do It for the Money Since more money is the way to motivate employees in most businesses, some school districts with less than stellar test grades have tried offering large bonuses to teachers if they get their kids to a higher level. In... READ ON

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Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?

Wearing white in the summer makes sense. Desert peoples have known for thousands of years that white clothing seems to keep you a little bit cooler than other colors. But wearing white only during the summer? While no one is completely sure exactly when or why this fashion rule came into effect, our best guess is that it had to do with snobbery in the late... READ ON

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15 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in September

September brings back to school season and summer’s end, but there are plenty of unusual things to celebrate this month. 1. September 1st: International Bacon Day This holiday is observed on the Saturday before Labor Day, which this year means it's a great way to kick off the month. 2. September 3rd: National Skyscraper Day Celebrate Labor Day by honoring the labor of the construction workers and engineers who built the world’s modern architectural wonders. One European real estate data... READ ON

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How to Be Handsome: 11 Really Terrible 19th-Century Beauty Tips

A lot of things have changed since the 19th century. When Barkham Burroughs wrote his Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information in 1889, he devoted a full chapter to the "secrets of beauty," and for good reason. To quote Burroughs, "If women are to govern, control, manage, influence and retain the adoration of husbands, fathers, brothers, lovers or even cousins, they must look their prettiest at all times." Here are 11 of his tips for doing just that. 1. Bathe often(ish)... At least once... READ ON

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12 College Courses We Wish Our Schools Had Offered

It’s that time of year! Here's a look at all of the fascinating college classes you wish your school put on the course list. 1. Topics in Comparative Media: American Pro Wrestling,... READ ON

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Alternate Histories: 7 Ways the World Could Be Completely Different

Alternate history, long popular with fiction writers, has also been explored by historians and journalists. Here are some of their intriguing... READ ON

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How 13 Classic Video Games Got Their Names

Here are the stories of how famous video games got their names, and what they were almost called. 1.... READ ON

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9 Crazy Things People Found Inside Their Walls

The Ballad of the Walled-Up Wife chronicles the story of hapless masons who are incapable of building a wall that will last. After years of failure, they learn that in order to make their work last, they must offer up a sacrifice. Once, as their master’s wife passed by, they grabbed her and entombed her in the wall they were building. According to some versions of the ballad, the wall still stands. While immuring wives in walls is strictly outlawed (and largely fictional), the practice of hiding... READ ON

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19 Wildly Dangerous Home Remedies From 100 Years Ago

It's hard to understand just how far medical science has progressed over the last hundred years ... until you look at what passed for standard, advisable treatment back then. Here are 19 doctor-approved ideas from Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Dr. Thomas Jefferson Ritter, originally published in 1910. 1. Without the luxury of over-the-counter decongestant to soothe a stopped-up nose and scratchy throat, early-20th-century... READ ON