Heller's irreverent outlook on life was shaped by his experiences as a bombardier pilot in World War II—and lots of dinners with Mel Brooks.

LISTS
The authors on the list are just a few whose novels have nabbed the prestigious prize since it began being awarded in 1918.
They’re cute. They’re cuddly. But beware: these undeniably adorable animals are dangerous.
Sometimes there are words that you've seen, read, and maybe even used in conversation whose meaning you can never keep straight.
Wilma Rudolph made history as a Black woman athlete at the 1960 Rome Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals at one Olympics.
As Khan Noonien Singh once said, “revenge is a dish best served cold,” and cinema is filled with stories where vengeance and retribution gets served with chilling brutality and precision. Here are 25 of the best of those tales.
Why be boring when there are so many other ways to greet a person and forge a unique connection?
From cruising the outer reaches of space to having his genitals grabbed by Koko the gorilla, William Shatner has led an incredible life.
In honor of Women’s History Month, discover unique products and learn the backstories behind these women-owned businesses.
The Oxford English Dictionary is here to help you learn the nuanced meaning of ‘deepfake.’
After 31 years, the Labrador retriever is no longer at the top of the American Kennel Club’s annual list.
Today, Katherine Mansfield is considered one of the most influential modernist writers of the 20th century—but she considered a career as a professional cellist.
From Tom Hanks to Leslie Nielsen, you can find some of the most popular comedic stars of the ’80s on the streaming services of the 2020s.
From Austen to Dickens and beyond, famous authors have had no problem with using the word 'literally' in a figurative sense.
You may hear an "Erin go bragh" or two, but even on the most Irish of holidays, we don't hear much of the Irish language—which is a shame.
No, 'Cocaine Bear' did not make the list.
Venus Williams took the sports world by storm when she first arrived on the international stage as a teenage tennis phenom. She hasn't slowed down since.
Perfectly innocent Latin or Greekisms that just happen to sound like something else.
Cherry blossom season is a major tourist draw for any city that’s lucky enough to grow ornamental cherry trees.