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Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is a common anesthetic that only requires a mask over the mouth and nose.

Anesthesia is a complex mixture of medications that lessen pain during procedures. Different types affect the body in different ways.

Some state name origins are obvious—but others pose an etymological mystery.

Halloween is a thing again in Des Moines.

Begging for candy on October 31 was banned after kids set one too many fires.

You might want to keep this handy on your next vacation.

This delicious focaccia recipe from the Institute of Culinary Education might become a staple in your home.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Alexander Hamilton argued that lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court were the only way, but some modern scholars disagree.

Whether it’s a gentle stroll through the English countryside or summiting Africa’s tallest peak, these bucket-list hikes are not to be missed.

An improved version of the game is also available on many devices.

Many video games get movie adaptations, but you probably didn’t see this one coming.

Where there is one hungry raccoon, there are likely dozens, as one unfortunate woman found out.

There are actually multiple versions of this iconic sticker.

The origins of those ‘I Voted’ stickers you see everyone rocking on Election Day go back to the 1950s in the United States, but the design everyone recognizes most was created by Janet Boudreau in the late 1980s.

The movie did not strike a chord with most audiences upon its release, but these days, it boasts some famous fans.

It was once literally illegal to tamper with a broken McFlurry machine. Not anymore.

Some states are more obsessed with dogs and cats than others. Find out if yours is on the list.

Find out which states are most preoccupied with their pets.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

We ran the lyrics of a hit song through multiple languages, then translated them back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

Here are the differences between green onions or scallions (left) and chives (right).

One of these things is not like the others.

From the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, no institution is safe from terrible reviews.

You may experience better sleep if you use the military method.

Are you having trouble falling asleep? Try the military method that helped Navy pilots fall asleep in under 120 seconds.

Check out this list to see where your next Halloween destination should be.

If you’re up for traveling for this spooky season, visit one of these destinations.

Has this rat attacked any infants lately?

New York rats may be the most iconic—but another U.S. city is even rattier.

In 1985, Chief Wiley went for a swim and was never seen or heard from again. What he left behind shocked his community.

A dramatization of a fiendish cheese thief.

A scammer posing as a supermarket buyer is now in possession of 22 tons of high-grade cheese. Profiting from it is another story.

Buying a home in these states might prove to be a long-term win.

Two states are expected, but the other might surprise you.

One was a born leader lauded and reviled by underlings and historians alike. The other was Napoleon.

How Does Anesthesia Work?

How All 50 States Got Their Names

Des Moines, Iowa, Will Let Kids Trick or Treat on Halloween for the First Time Since 1938

The Most Overpriced Tourist Attraction in Each State, Mapped

This Focaccia Recipe Is a Beginner Baker’s Best Friend

Definition Detective Quiz #12

Why Do Supreme Court Justices Serve for Life?

10 Epic Trails That Every Hiker Should Try

‘The Oregon Trail’ Video Game Will Be Adapted Into a Comedy Movie

A 911 Call About a Raccoon Invasion Is a Good Reminder Never to Feed Wild Animals

A Brief but Fascinating History of the ‘I Voted’ Sticker

‘Phantom of the Paradise’: How Brian De Palma’s Flop Rock Opera Became A Cult Classic

‘Free the McFlurry’: The McDonald’s Machines Can Now Be Fixed Quickly, Thanks to Government Ruling

The 10 Most Dog- and Cat-Obsessed States

Tune Twist Quiz #14

Scallion vs. Chives. vs. Green Onion: What’s the Difference?

15 Hilariously Terrible Reviews of Wonderful Museums

This Military Technique Can Help You Fall Asleep in 2 Minutes

The Best Cities for Halloween Enthusiasts, Mapped

The 20 Rattiest Cities in the U.S.

Mel Wiley, the Ohio Police Chief Who May Have Authored His Own Demise

A Lot of Cheddar: London Thieves Make Off With $400,000 in Artisanal Cheese

The 3 Best States to Buy a Home in the Next 5 Years, According to Real Estate Experts

Who Said It: Napoleon or Michael Scott?