10 Interpretations of Popular Nursery Rhymes
You’ve probably grown up your entire life without putting much thought into the nursery rhymes drilled into your head. But there are tales behind each of them—some pretty dark.
You’ve probably grown up your entire life without putting much thought into the nursery rhymes drilled into your head. But there are tales behind each of them—some pretty dark.
‘Les Femmes d’Alger’ (‘Women of Algiers’) isn’t a single artwork, but a series of 15 paintings—though one is more famous than the others.
In the scope of human history, the wheel is actually a rather young creation. Beer, clothing, and jewelry are much older.
These descriptions are as wild as they animals they talk about. Can you figure out which creatures they refer to?
The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).
How Johann Sebastian Bach and the Little Rock Nine inspired one of The Beatles’ biggest hits—and one of the most covered songs ever recorded.
Many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. But was Mother Goose even a real person?
George Everest gave his name, if not the pronunciation of it, to Mount Everest.
Rin Tin Tin was found on a World War I battlefield in France before making his way to Hollywood, while poor Arnold the Pig was rumored to have been eaten after ‘Green Acres’ was canceled.
An anonymous letter supposedly from a member of a secret society claimed that Franklin Pierce was involved in treasonous activities against the American government—an accusation that infuriated the former president.
The phrase used to describe a has-been reality star or trend originated on the battlefield.
The Denisovans went extinct around 30,000 years ago. Scientists are just beginning to unravel their genetic legacy.
Drawing from Norse mythology, these classic Viking names are associated with strength, war, valor and lots of weaponry.
Winston Churchill so hated Graham Sutherland’s likeness of him that he had it set on fire.
The history of political dueling in the U.S. doesn’t end with Hamilton and Burr.
Despite his many contributions to English literature, surprisingly little is known about William Shakespeare's life. Here’s what we do know about the celebrated actor, poet, and playwright.
The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.
A handful of centuries-old sailing words remain known only to the saltiest of seamen, but some have become part of our everyday language.
The superstition that saying “Macbeth” will bring bad luck has been around since Shakespeare’s play debuted.
Like most nursery rhymes, rumors have long swirled about its allegedly dark origin story—one that’s said to involve Henry VIII and bribery.
Clara Bow, one of the earliest megastars of the silent film era, is famous for being Hollywood’s first “It Girl.” But there’s a lot more to Bow’s dramatic life than bobbed hair and flapper couture.
Test your knowledge of Victorian slang with this quiz that’s bang up to the elephant.
Remember when Mr. Potato Head was just an actual, edible potato with stuff you'd stick into him? And “Captain Action” promised to be any superhero you could afford the clothes for?
Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.