Jane Alexander
Joined: Apr 26, 2021
Jane Alexander is a freelance writer based in the UK. She focuses on literature, history, and the visual arts, and has previously written for Londonist, among other publications.
7 Tips for Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh
10 Scandals That Rocked the Summer Olympics
8 Interesting Interpretations of Famous Artworks
10 Strange Creatures That Prowl the Pages of Medieval Bestiaries
Contrary to what was once assumed, medieval people did not necessarily believe all these odd beasts actually existed.
“Frère Jacques”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme
This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it.
12 Historical Code Words and Phrases
Asking a police officer “do you drink?” in the 1970s had nothing to do with grabbing a beer at a nearby bar.
“Itsy Bitsy Spider”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme
Early versions of the rhyme included the words ‘bloody’ and ‘blooming’—and sometimes didn’t feature a spider at all.
10 Fantastic Fictional Foxes
From Reynard to Robin Hood, these fictional foxes all left a lasting impression.
14 Secret Code Words You Might Want to Know
Whether they’re said over a PA or in a one-on-one conversation, these seemingly innocuous terms are actually codes to alert those in the know that something is up while keeping others in the dark.
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.”
Why Ukrainians Hang Spider Webs on Their Christmas Trees
The Eastern European tradition is rooted in a beloved folktale often known as 'The Legend of the Christmas Spider.'
The Surprising History of the Hanukkah Dreidel
It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.
11 Contemporary Horror Authors to Read (Who Aren’t Stephen King)
If you want to expand your horror reading beyond Stephen King, look no further than this list, which features everyone from Mariana Enriquez to Stephen Graham Jones and beyond.
10 Facts about the History of Spiritualism
From spiritualism's beginnings at the Fox cottage to ectoplasm, so-called spirit photography, and beyond, here's what you need to know about this controversial cultural phenomenon.
6 Terrifying Tales of Headless Horsemen
The headless horseman from ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ is just one of several headless horsemen to haunt the globe.