From the Ferris wheel to the Tilt-a-Whirl, carnival rides have some fascinating origin stories. Discover more about the history of these popular attractions here.

LISTS
These 17 synonyms for sex earned a place in the ‘1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.’
While your Deaf friends might get a good laugh when you accidentally sign “f**k you” instead of “thank you,” it’s still best to know the correct signs when interacting within the Deaf community.
From animal glands to radioactive water, these odd anti-aging cures involved more scheme than science.
Whether you’re a ‘Jaws’ fanatic or just want to live every week like it’s Shark Week, you'll want to read up on these fascinating facts about sharks.
A number of noteworthy historical figures were born in the month of August. We couldn’t possibly name them all, so here are just a handful of lives we’ll be celebrating.
Discover the most commonly mispronounced tech terms and brand names, and settle once and for all whether it’s ”jif or ”gif.”
Invented by Louis Braille in 1824, the tactile braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years.
Knowing a bit of Dutch slang will not just help you find your bearings when you visit Amsterdam and its surroundings, but also earn you respect from the locals—who, despite being great at English, have a strong connection to their mother tongue.
You probably didn't learn about these ancient kings in history class.
Wondering how to get more bang for your buck in August? You’ll find great deals on laptops, back-to-school essentials, and outdoor furniture, plus a lot more.
Want to watch 'Avatar,' 'Hidden Figures,' 'The Princess Bride,' and more? Head to Disney+.
'My Brilliant Friend' kicked of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan series and inspired an HBO adaptation.
The 1983 hit comedy ‘Trading Places’ turned 40 this year. Discover more fun facts about the John Landis-directed classic that helped turn stars Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd into household names.
Black widow venom is about 15 times as potent as a rattlesnake's, yet these charismatic spiders generally aren't a threat to humans.
Here are a few charming, cute, and kooky kudos from the days of yore.
The eel-like shark is rarely seen by humans, but one was just found off the coast of Portugal.
Before listing your Beanie Babies on eBay, it helps to know if they're actually valuable. An antiques appraiser shared her tips for making the most money from your collection.
The author of ‘East of Eden’ and ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ was also a three-time Academy Award nominee and found an enemy in J. Edgar Hoover.
There’s a Google Doodle game for practically everything, from garden gnomes and ‘Doctor Who’ to magic cats and boba.
Crows are among the brainiest birds, able to recognize faces and hold grudges. Read on for more about these crafty corvids.
Back slang is kind of like a lexical puzzle that everyone from costermongers and criminals of the Victorian era to today’s Wordle fans can appreciate.