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Cravings, Rabbits, and Witches: The Creepy Retro Explanations for Birthmarks

According to some strange old theories about the origins of birthmarks, a blemish on your behind meant you had the mark of the devil.
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How Ireland Became the ‘Emerald Isle’

The origins of Ireland's ‘Emerald Isle’ nickname trace back to the 18th-century physician, poet, and activist who penned the poem “When Erin First Rose.”
Jane Alexander|Jan 30, 2024

8 Weird Disasters from History

From beer floods to meat showers, history is full of peculiar—and putrid—disasters.
Stacy Conradt|Jan 29, 2024

What Are Those Weird White Stripes You See on the Road in Winter?

Those mysterious white lines you often see on the road right before a storm aren't just for show.
Stacey Marcus|Oct 16, 2024

15 Fascinating Facts About S.E. Hinton’s ‘The Outsiders’

From the author’s inspiration to the impact on schools, here’s what you need to know about S.E. Hinton’s iconic coming-of-age novel ‘The Outsiders.’
Ali Parr|Jan 26, 2024

A Simple Trick for Defrosting Your Windshield in Less Than 60 Seconds

Meteorologist Ken Weathers became a viral sensation by sharing a very simple way to de-ice your windshield in cold weather.
Jennifer M Wood|Jan 29, 2024

10 of the Most Valuable American Girl Dolls and Accessories From the ‘80s and ‘90s

Looking to resell your vintage American Girl dolls and accessories? Learn more about the most valuable selections from the ‘80s and ‘90s, which could fetch a high price in today‘s collector‘s market.
Nicole Pyles|May 16, 2024

The Nude Statue That Shocked Victorian England

Bodybuilder Eugen Sandow delighted Victorian audiences with his toned physique and weightlifting skills. But his statue at the British Museum didn’t last long.
Marla Mackoul|Jan 29, 2024

4 Famous Cases of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a bad idea in any setting, but some of history’s most vaunted writers have been caught stealing.
Floss books|Jan 26, 2024

What’s the Correct Pronunciation of ‘February’?

In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “FEB-yoo-air-ee.” Both Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries consider the common pronunciation correct, along with the less common, more traditional standard “FEB-roo-air-ee.”
Arika Okrent|Jan 23, 2024

‘Wug,’ ‘Gostak,’ and 8 Other Weird Old Nonce Words

Nonce words are only meant to serve one particular purpose—here are some of the best examples.
Ellen Gutoskey|Jan 29, 2024

The Greatest Night in Pop: 10 Facts About the Making of “We Are the World”

In the ’80s, pop music decided to take on the world’s problems. There was Band Aid, Live Aid, Farm Aid, and of course, USA for Africa's “We Are the World.”
Kenneth Partridge|Jan 27, 2024

See How the U.S. Government Transports Its Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.
Michele Debczak|Jan 26, 2024

The 100 Most Popular Baby Names From 100 Years Ago

The 1924 list of most popular baby names has a few (but not many) things in common with today's trends.
Ellen Gutoskey|Jan 27, 2024

Elizabeth Fry, the 'Angel of Prisons'

Elizabeth Fry championed prison reform, particularly for women and children, in 19th-century England.
Anne Taylor|Jan 26, 2024

Why Is ‘February’ Spelled So Strangely?

Why is February spelled the way it is? Delve into the linguistic evolution of the month’s name and its journey from Latin to modern English.
Ellen Gutoskey|Jan 27, 2024

11 Words Gen Xers Made Popular

From yuppie to headbanger, we have Generation X to thank for these terms that became popular in the 1980s and ’90s.
Michele Debczak|Jan 24, 2024

Watch A Cuttlefish Camouflage Itself in an Underwater Living Room

In the ocean, cuttlefish are masters of disguise. But can they camouflage themselves in artificial environments, like human homes?
Anna Green|Jan 24, 2024

For Sale: Winston Churchill’s Gold-Mounted Dentures

Plagued by oral issues, the British prime minister carried two sets of dentures with him at all times.
Jake Rossen|Jan 25, 2024

When the Miniseries Ruled Television in the ‘70s and ‘80s

Discover the groundbreaking history of miniseries in television. From "Roots" to "Rich Man, Poor Man," these limited-run shows transformed the medium, and here‘s how.
Jake Rossen|Jan 25, 2024
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