Amanda Green

Joined: Nov 21, 2012

Human behind TheNotortoiseBIG on IG. Advertising at Washington Post CreativeGroup. Writing in Mental Floss, Marie Claire, etc. Puns intended.

It's more innovative than you might think.

15 Things You Didn’t Know Your Hair Dryer Could Do

The ultimate cheat code to winter coziness.

13 Toasty Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

11 Fit Facts About the Heart

The origins of Hanukkah’s blue and white color scheme are in the Bible and 19th-century poetry.

Why Are Blue and White the Colors of Hanukkah?

11 Words You Might Not Know Are Portmanteaux

Some words, like ‘motel,’ ‘brunch,’ and ‘sitcom,’ are obvious portmanteaux. But the portmanteaux on this list are undercover.

10 Common Words You’re Probably Mispronouncing

From ‘kibosh’ to ‘niche,’ these words can trip up even the most meticulous English speakers.

Cupcakes are older than you might think.

The Origins of 10 Tasty Treats

Whether you’re wild about whoopie pie, can’t get enough cotton candy, or simply want s’more s’mores, finding out more about the origins of these tasty treats is pretty sweet.

How many of these colors did you know about?

39 Colors You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

A vast vocabulary of words have been invented, borrowed, and accumulated over the centuries to describe almost every color and shade imaginable.

10 Monogamous Animals That Just Want To Settle Down

They can't put a ring on it, but when these animals find a mate, they're ready to commit.

Elizabeth Magie created 'The Landlord’s Game,' a precursor to 'Monopoly.'

20 Things You Might Not Know Were Invented by Women

Here are some of the best inventions by women throughout history, from the paper bag to windshield wipers, circular saws, and more.

11 of Kurt Vonnegut’s Most Memorable Quotes

The words of the free-thinking, veteran skeptic, humanist humorist live on.

10 Brilliant Facts About Teeth

The average adult human has 28 to 32 teeth, give or take a set of wisdom teeth. But besides the importance of brushing and flossing, how well do you know your chompers?

16 Things You Might Not Know About 'Roseanne'

'Roseanne,' which was praised for its portrayal of blue-collar America, also broke new ground in terms of its envelope-pushing (for the time) storylines.

Girl Scouts sell cookies in New York City.

10 Tasty Facts About Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scouts are synonymous with cookies, and they should be. In just a few weeks each year, Girls Scouts sell more cookies than Oreo.

15 Fascinating Facts About Amelia Earhart

Groundbreaking aviator Amelia Earhart (who was born on July 24, 1897) was a pioneer, a legend, and a mystery.

Rihanna attending a 2018 movie premiere with eyebrows on fleek

The Surprising Origins Behind 9 Modern Slang Expressions

Whether its FOMO, lit, or humblebrag, this will help you figure out if you should be thanking LL Cool J or an academic journal for your favorite new expression.