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8 Myths About Dead Bodies, Debunked

Corpses are less scary than you think.

What Does ‘Wi-Fi’ Stand For? It’s Complicated

If you think 'Wi-Fi' stands for 'wireless fidelity,' you should read this.

5 Wild Ideas Rejected by the Constitutional Convention

In researching his latest book, ‘The Year of Living Constitutionally,’ author A.J. Jacobs came across some bizarre suggestions floated by members of the Constitutional Convention for the new United States government.

Dwight Eisenhower Wrote a Letter Accepting Blame for D-Day's Failure, Just in Case

D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, and kicked off the Battle of Normandy. Though it was a success, General Eisenhower was preparing for the worst.

You can't go wrong with a sweet treat and some flowers this Mother's Day.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Mother’s Day

In 2024, Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 12.

How to Use Your Cast Iron Skillet to Thaw Meat

If you thought your cast iron skillet was a kitchen staple before, then this viral hack will show you just how irreplaceable the tool truly is.

What’s the Kennection? #113

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

7 Common Misconceptions About OCD

Having an intrusive thought doesn’t mean you have OCD. Let’s break down some myths about obsessive compulsive disorder.

Fifteenth-century woodcut of a young woman who represents syphilis with the skeletons of dead lovers behind her bed.

Quiz: Can You Match the Disease to Its Olde-Tyme Name?

Ailments have gone by various names over the centuries. How many of these can you guess correctly?

We don’t know a lot about where the phrase came from.

What Does the Phrase ‘Keep It Under Your Hat’ Mean?

The phrase has evolved somewhat since its first uses—and its origin is something of a mystery.

George Washington went by a code name during the Revolutionary War. (And technically, he should be saying, “Hello, my 411 is 711”—411 was the code for “name.”)

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.

There are some powerful tools in your arsenal that will help keep the Sunday Scaries at bay.

A Simple Way to Beat the Sunday Scaries

The phenomenon also known as “the Sunday Night Blues” can be daunting—but there are ways you can fight back.

13 Stylish Facts About dELiA*s

Millennial women across the United States will remember rushing to their mailboxes after school to grab the hottest catalog of the ‘90s: dELiA*s.

A pixelated version of an illustration by Édouard-Henri Avril from the 1824 book ‘De figuris Veneris.’

The Research Error That Gave Us the Phrase ‘Missionary Position’

The origins of the phrase 'missionary position' involve Alfred Kinsey, some shoddy research, and zero actual missionaries.

Have a pet? Prepare to pony up some serious cash.

The Many Reasons Why Your Vet Bills Are Rising

Owning a cat or dog can cost a lot of money. And inflation isn't the only reason vet bills have gotten so expensive.

‘T. rex’ Might Have Been as Smart as a Crocodile (But Not As Smart As We Thought)

Previously, a study suggested that the king of the dinosaurs was as intelligent as a primate. New data hints that this may not have been the case.

Teacher salaries can vary widely by state.

Here's How Much the Average Teacher Earns in Each State

Where you teach can make a huge difference in how much you earn.

The Real History of Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman” Speech

Here's how one transcription of Sojourner Truth's 1851 speech fabricated her most famous quote.

For bargain hunters, Memorial Day isn't just about fun picnics.

What to Buy In May—Plus What You Should Probably Skip

If you want to make your money stretch this month, consider waiting for Memorial Days sales on big-ticket items like outdoor furniture and appliances.

Elephants are among the smartest mammals.

7 Behaviors That Show Elephants Are Incredibly Smart

Elephants demonstrate complex behaviors that researchers have associated with empathy and mourning, pointing to the animals’ high level of intelligence.

‘Don’t Fire Until Your See the Whites of Their Eyes’ may (or may not) have been uttered at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

‘Don’t Fire Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes’: The Obscure Origin of the Military Command

Legend has it that a heroic American commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill implored his men to hold their fire until their enemies were under their noses. But did the event actually happen?

The 20 Most Spoken Languages in the World

Learn a fun fact about each of the most popular languages in the world.

10 Hardcore Facts About HBO’s ‘Oz’

Before ‘The Sopranos’ or ‘The Wire,’ television’s golden age arguably began on HBO on July 12, 1997, when the premium network premiered Fontana’s prison drama ‘Oz.’

11 Game Names and Their Fun-Filled Origins

We have many games to while away long days, but where do words like 'poker' and 'hopscotch' come from? Here are the etymological origins of 11 popular games.

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