It is almost impossible to imagine Christmas without thinking of all the songs that go with the day. There are enough holiday tunes to fill the season, and many are so beloved […]
The Unlikely Origin of One of the Best-Loved Christmas Songs
What Was the Original Purpose of a Strip Search?
In compiling your list of the things you’d like to do over the holidays, it’s highly unlikely participating in a strip search is anywhere close to the top of the list. If […]
Coffee, Crypts, Bones, and Friars — the Origin of the Cappuccino
What do coffee, crypts, bones, and friars have in common? No, they aren’t the ingredients for a misguided Halloween party theme. They are, instead, the basis for what may be one of […]
The Disturbing and Decidedly-Unromantic Origin of the Honeymoon
Today, the concept of a honeymoon is completely wonderful. The newly-married couple gets away for a few days of romantic bliss, making sure that their life-long commitment begins on a happy note. […]
The American Origin of the German Chocolate Cake
Few things are as American as apple pie, unless, of course, you consider German chocolate cake. Despite its name, this delectable dessert originated in about as non-German of a location as you […]
The Loneliness of Originality
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935) is one of the most-widely quotes Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. His concise and pithy judicial opinions reflect his sharp and creative […]
The Death Row Origin of Nike’s Slogan
“Just Do It” has been the slogan of Nike since 1988. The words evoke visions of bold determination and inspirational challenges to be your best. Far from inspirational, the origin of the […]
The Unlikely Origin of a Comic Book Legend
Joe and Jerry had an idea that was sure to be a goldmine. The 18-year-old high school students thought up a terrific story featuring a terrifying character. Between Jerry’s writing talents and […]
Polar Bears: the Original Stealth Fighter
Stealth fighters have state-of-the art technology that runs nearly $1 billion per aircraft. Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak is the stuff of fiction. Meanwhile, deep within the Arctic Circle, polar bears long ago […]
What is the Origin of the “Red Sky in Morning” Warning?
“Red sky at night: sailors’ delight. Red sky in morning: sailors take warning.” This little rhyme is one of the first lessons any of us get about how to predict the weather. […]
No Bones About It: The Origin of the Chainsaw
The chainsaw is an essential tool for those who work with wood, but it is for the roughest of cuts. You would never want to use a chainsaw for anything that requires […]
The Original “Murderers’ Row”: The Inmates Who Played for Their Lives
Avid baseball fans are said to live and die by the sport. For one team in the early years of the twentieth century, the outcome of the game was literally a matter […]
The Original Version of The Little Mermaid Will Horrify You
The Little Mermaid has been one of Disney’s most successful and beloved movies. The story of Ariel overcoming obstacles and winning the love of a prince (not to mention some of the […]
Big, Fat, Hairy Word Origin
When Thomas Savage attempted to develop the first scientific classification of the large primate we know as the gorilla, he reached back over 2,000 years and found a word in a long-filed […]
The Original Absent-Minded Professor
Oxford Professor William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930) is best remembered for his tendency to swap letters, words, or parts of words when he spoke. The result — known as spoonerisms — are generally […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 