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An American flying fortress enacts a maneuver against Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during World War II.

Though there’s rarely a (public) explanation of why these weird codenames were assigned, that doesn’t make them any less amusing.

Princeton University's ivy-covered Nassau Hall, which dates back to 1756.

Here’s the story of how the Ivy League got its name—and a list of all the schools that belong to it (including the informal “Ivy Plus” schools).

California man thwarts Seaside city officials with boat mural

The city of Seaside wanted Etienne Constable to keep his boat out of sight and behind a fence. Fortunately, his neighbor is a mural artist.

What kid wouldn’t love listening to a song with their name in it?

Some of the monikers reflect musical terms and characteristics, while others are a nod to famous musicians and songs.

Patient portals unfortunately aren't yet of the teleportal variety.

Here’s everything you ever wondered about ‘stat’: its meaning, its origins, and whether ER doctors really shout it all the time.

The kind of car you drive can influence whether you speed.

Some car makes and models stand a better chance of getting you in trouble than others.

Joseph Welch (left), with Sen. Joe McCarthy (right), at the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations' McCarthy-Army hearings, June 9, 1954.

Joseph N. Welch is credited with bringing down the fearmongering Sen. Joseph McCarthy during a congressional hearing in 1954. But his famous plea has since taken on a life of its own.

From “Alien” to “Gone with the Wind,” some classic movies you might not expect actually do manage to pass the Bechdel test.

This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it.

American slang terms can vary from state to state—these in particular are known to cause confusion.

Test your knowledge of literary history with this quiz.

It’s not one you’re likely to use in everyday conversation—but you will find it in an dictionary.

Spoiler alert: Despite what you might have heard, it’s not ‘antidisestablishmentarianism.’

A scene from 'The Bride Of Frankenstein' (1935).

From 'Casablanca' to 'The Bride of Frankenstein,' these are the movie posters collectors are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to own.

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

If a trip to Target inevitably ends with you making a pit stop at the restroom, you're not alone.

A spoonful of sugar would definitely taste a lot better.

There's a reason that cough syrup you're trying to choke down tastes like cherry.

Dr. Donald “Reef” Nelson dedicated his life to studying sharks and was part of the inspiration for Matt Hooper, Richard Dreyfuss’s character from 1975's “Jaws.”

She probably wound up with bug bites in some very uncomfortable places.

Like gardening naked? You may want to move to one of these cities.

Lightning strikes over the Freedom Tower (a.k.a. One World Trade Center) in New York City.

Ben Franklin’s famous experiment with the kite and key gave him a better understanding of the nature of electricity. But did that event lead to the lightning rod?

Replicas of golden sarcophagi are showcased in “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures.”

If you can’t make it to Egypt, head to Washington, D.C., where “Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures” puts visitors inside the artifact-stuffed rooms of King Tut’s tomb.

Spoilers for this article without context.

This list of linguistics terms will teach you how to tell your spoonerisms from your mondegreens.

We can thank Shakespeare for popularizing it, sort of.

Contrary to popular belief, Shakespeare wasn’t the one who invented this common idiom. But trying to unravel its origins will land you in a bit of a tricky situation.

Angkor Wat reflected in one of its waterways.

Angkor Wat is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. Here is what we know of its story, from its countless carvings to feats of engineering.

“Pomp and Circumstance,” also popularly known as “The Graduation March,” is typically used during graduation processionals. Here’s why.

15 Unexpected Military Operation Codenames

Why Is It Called the “Ivy League”?

A California Homeowner Commissioned a Spite Mural of the Boat He Was Supposed to Hide From View

The 20 Most Popular Music-Inspired Baby Names

Why Does ‘Stat’ Mean “Immediately”?

The 10 Cars Most Likely to Get You a Speeding Ticket

“Have You No Sense of Decency?”: The Question That Took Down Senator Joe McCarthy

10 Iconic Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test

“Frère Jacques”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

America’s 10 Most Commonly Misunderstood Slang Terms

Quiz: Can You Guess the Book Based on Its Original Title?

What’s the Longest Word in English?

The 12 Most Valuable Movie Posters

What’s the Kennection? #114

Why You Feel the Urge to Poop When You’re Shopping, According to a Doctor

Here’s Why So Many Medicines Are Cherry-Flavored

The Real-Life Marine Biologist Who Helped Inspire ‘Jaws’

The Best U.S. Cities for Gardening Naked

Did Ben Franklin Really Invent the Lightning Rod?

See Exact Replicas of King Tut’s Treasures in His Recreated Tomb

15 Fascinating Linguistics Terms You Didn’t Learn in School

Why Do We Say ‘In a Pickle’?

10 Facts about Angkor Wat, the World’s Largest Religious Temple

Why ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ Became the Soundtrack of American Graduations