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.
9 People Who Shaped Christmas
6 Supposedly Haunted Libraries
7 Supposedly Haunted Artworks
6 Infamous Unsolved Bank Robberies
Whether they were tunneling into vaults or blowing their way into them through church walls, these thieves were brazen—and in each case, whodunit remains a mystery.
7 Tips for Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh
Unfortunately, those blooms you clipped from your home garden or snagged from a local farmer’s market won’t last forever.
10 Scandals That Rocked the Summer Olympics
Though the Games are meant to foster a sense of unity among nations, they’ve seen their fair share of scandal—and even tragedy.
8 Interesting Interpretations of Famous Artworks
It’s no surprise that paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘The Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to myriad interpretations over the years—some more bizarre than others.
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.'