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10 Brilliant Facts About Peacocks

With their massive tails and iridescent colors, peacocks have long fascinated their human observers—and we’re still learning their secrets.
Jessica Hullinger|Feb 22, 2023

12 of the Longest Words in the World, By Category

Antidisestablishmentarianism is regarded as the longest non-medical, non-coined, nontechnical word in the English language—and it keeps some robust company.
Kevin Kampwirth|Mar 9, 2023

Why Everyone Stopped Asking Jeeves

Ask Jeeves became a casualty of the search engine wars of the early 2000s. Eventually, their mascot was escorted right out the door.
Jake Rossen|Aug 16, 2023

Why Do Truck Drivers Say “10-4”?

“10-4” isn’t any quicker than saying “OK.” But it is a storied trucker tradition.
Ellen Gutoskey|Sep 12, 2023

How Old Is Barbie Supposed to Be, Anyway?

It’s often said that Barbie is 19 years old, but the answer is a little more nuanced than that.
Ellen Gutoskey|Sep 5, 2023

What Is the Wilhelm Scream?

The Wilhelm Scream sound effect has been heard in everything from 'Star Wars' to 'Avatar.' But why do so many filmmakers use it?
Sean Hutchinson|Apr 10, 2023

What Does “Bah, Humbug!” Actually Mean?

The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’
Ellen Gutoskey|Dec 18, 2023

Hard Sell: A History of the Pet Rock

The Pet Rock was the brainchild of copywriter Gary Dahl, who thought America needed a laugh during the largely humorless post-Vietnam and Watergate era.
Jake Rossen|Aug 22, 2019

How Did the Real YMCA React to the Disco Song About It?

Everyone liked “Y.M.C.A.”—except the actual organization.
Mark Mancini|Jun 13, 2023

36 Fun Wordle Alternatives for Every Kind of Puzzle Fan

No matter what you’re a fan of—math, music, Star Wars—there’s probably a game like Wordle out there for you.
Ellen Gutoskey|Jun 6, 2023

15 Things You Should Know About ‘Dogs Playing Poker’

C.M. Coolidge has been called “the most famous American artist you’ve never heard of.” But while critics might sniff at his contribution to the art world, the history of his greatest works is rich. 
Kristy Puchko|Nov 7, 2023

What's the Difference Between Ketchup and Catsup?

Tomato, tomahto.
Matt Soniak|Apr 25, 2023

What Do A.M. and P.M. Stand For?

The abbreviations are widely understood as “morning” and “afternoon,” but what do the Latin translations actually mean?
Ellen Gutoskey|Apr 4, 2024

Veni, Vidi, Vici: The True Origin of Julius Caesar’s Famous Proclamation

With his catchphrase ‘veni, vidi, vici,’ Julius Caesar was saying much more than simply “I came, I saw, I conquered."
Tim Brinkhof|Feb 23, 2024

The Otherworldly History of the Demogorgon

The Demogorgon is much, much older than ’Stranger Things,’ or even ’Dungeons & Dragons.’
Jeff Wells|Nov 7, 2023

10 Facts About Wilford Brimley

Celebrated actor/oatmeal pitchman Wilford Brimley once showed his buttocks to Steve Guttenberg. Read on for more unexpected facts about the walrus-mustachioed actor.
Jake Rossen|Sep 11, 2023

An (Almost) Comprehensive History of Rat Kings

Myth, hoax, or Mother Nature's freak accident? Here's the story of nearly every rat king ever discovered.
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100 Weird and Wonderful Medieval Dog Names

Medieval dog names ran the gamut from 'Argument' to 'Feete.'
Ellen Gutoskey|Apr 17, 2024

Who Is the Roger of ‘Roger That’?

Here's how 'Roger' came to mean "received" (and how 'wilco' fits in).
Ellen Gutoskey|Apr 17, 2024

The 50 Biggest Summer Blockbusters of the Past 50 Years

From ‘Jaws’ to ‘Barbie,’ here are the biggest summer blockbusters since 1974.
Michele Debczak|Apr 16, 2024
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