

Paul Anthony Jones
Joined: Jun 20, 2014
Paul Anthony Jones is a writer and musician from Newcastle upon Tyne. He is the author of word origins guide Haggard Hawks and Paltry Poltroons, and runs its tie-in Twitter account @HaggardHawks.




It’s such a natural reaction, but how did this custom begin?
Why are mirrors covered after death in some cultures? From superstition to Jewish mourning traditions, here’s what the practice means.
George Harrison channeled his love for Eastern spirituality into classic songs from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" to "My Sweet Lord."
Is "rule of thumb" really about an English law that made it legal to beat one's wife? Here's the truth about the etymology behind "rule of thumb."
The phrase "cold shoulder" first appears in a novel by Sir Walter Scott, but a popular legend holds that it may connect to a rather passive-aggressive dinner-hosting technique.
Ever noticed the mirrors behind bar shelves? They’re not just decoration—they make spaces feel bigger, brighter, and even safer.
You're not imagining it—the dryness and pressure of airplanes truly does alter our sense of taste.
Why is an audio clip called a soundbite? The term dates to the 1970s and compares a short recording to a small bite taken from a larger whole.
From Mick Jagger's appearance on "You're So Vain" to John Lennon's feature on David Bowie's "Fame," here are ten times celebrities were secretly featured on hit songs.
The Rolling Stones frontman has never shied away from revealing which songs he loves — and which ones he’d rather leave in the past.
There’s a very specific reason Americans are told to refrigerate their eggs while Europeans aren’t.
Behind the pancakes and prosecco lies the origin of one of dining’s most over-the-top phrases.