

Austin Thompson
Joined: Jun 27, 2014
Austin is a researcher and app developer from Albuquerque. Despite that, he only knows two extras from Breaking Bad.


12 Things You Might Not Know About Passover

What Is the Longest River in the World?

What's the Smallest Country In the World?
21 Words We Owe to Shakespeare (And 4 We Don't)
Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.
10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner
Studies have shown that just watching cat videos on the internet can boost a person's energy and create positive emotions—so it's no surprise that actual cat ownership has a number of benefits. Here are a few.
27 Temporarily Banned Episodes of Popular TV Shows
Over the years, a number of TV series have removed specific episodes from their rerun schedules. Some eventually return to the airwaves, while others may be serving a lifetime ban.
The Curious (and Possibly Murderous) Origins of Punxsutawney Phil's Name
Punxsutawney Phil's moniker might have something to do with the royal family, a pair of heinous groundhog murders, and some good old-fashioned small-town competition.
10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner
Studies have shown that just watching cat videos on the internet can boost a person's energy and create positive emotions—so it's no surprise that actual cat ownership has a number of benefits. Here are a few.
The Myth of How Al Capone Gave Us the Term ‘Money Laundering’
According to popular lore, when looking for places to funnel his unlawfully obtained money, American gangster Al Capone gravitated toward laundromats.
The Unique History Behind 5 Rules Every U.S. Senator Needs to Follow
Senators get free water, but they need to buy their own milk. And they can have flowers on the Senate floor, but only under very specific circumstances.
Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?
It’s a question that has been debated since the writing of the Constitution: Can Presidents pardon themselves?
HISTORY
17 Fascinating Facts About the Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party became a foundational moment in American history—and it was not without controversy. Here's what you need to know.
HISTORY
The Hazy Origins of April Fools' Day
The origins of April Fools’ Day have long been caught up in myths and legends involving everything from mackerels to calendar switches.
BIG QUESTIONS
When Did Shaking Hands Become a Standard Way of Greeting Someone?
There's ancient evidence for the custom of shaking hands, but did it mean the same thing then as it does today?
HOLIDAYS
The Many Stories Behind the Origins of Yule
The word "yule" gets thrown around a lot during the Christmas season, but what does it even mean? Well, like so many of the holiday's traditions, its origins are a bit complex.