Are you one of those people who have to be convinced to believe? Do you take everything with a grain of salt? Do you scoff at anything that is repeated simply because […]
January 13 is International Skeptics Day — Yeah, We Weren’t Convinced, Either
Elvis, Marx, and Others Direct Traffic in Germany
Traffic lights are one of the last places you would expect to find artistic expression. The stick figure of a walking man and an upheld hand tell pedestrians all they need to […]
France’s Brief Experiment With Decimal Time
Much to our dismay, we came across the information for this article a few days too late to wish you a Happy Manure Day. Not to despair — December 28 will roll […]
Scottish New Year Puts First Foot Forward with Quaaltagh
“Quaaltagh” sounds like a word from the Klingon language. It’s origin is much closer to home, however.
It is Never a Happy New Year for Danish Dishes
Happy New Year! This is a day filled with optimism and expectation about the future. Unless you are in Denmark and happen to be a plate. If that is the case, this […]
What Would it Cost to Give the Gifts in The 12 Days of Christmas?
There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” when it comes to selecting gifts for those on your Christmas list. Some of your acquaintances may warrant nothing more than […]
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 […]
Photographers Used to Tell Subjects to Say ‘Prunes’ Instead of ‘Cheese’
Compare photographs from the late 19th century with those of today. Aside from the obvious differences, such as color and changes in fashion, there is one big difference that stands out: no […]
Vinegar Valentines — When You Care Enough to Send Something Truly Insulting
The Victorian era is remembered for its civility and good manners. Valentine’s Day cards are synonymous with love and affection. Theoretically, that period should have produced nothing but elegant, heart-warming cards that […]
Words That No Longer Mean What They Used To
Everyone reading this is a girl. You lived much of your life in the Matrix. You’re really not all that fantastic; in fact, you’re really quite awful. Even before you were born, […]
Why Do Drug Commercials List All Those Crazy Side Effects?
Do you feel like you don’t know enough? Do you find yourself at a loss for things to talk about at social gatherings? Do you wish you knew some interesting tidbit of […]
How Freak Shows Revolutionized Medical Care for Babies
Once upon a time, there was a place called Wonderland. No, this is not a story about the mythical place created by Lewis Carrol. The Wonderland of this story was real. It […]
The Russian Beard Preservation Law, Otherwise Known as the Russkaya Pravda
Facial hair used to be important in Russia. No, you don’t understand. It was REALLY important! We know this because of the Russkaya Pravda (Rus’ Justice or Rus’ Truth), one of the […]
Kentucky Lawyers and Politicians Are Required to Disavow Dueling
In this increasingly-contentious society, it is easy to find oneself choosing sides. Standing your ground and defending a position may put you at odds with others. Sometimes emotions can be so intense […]
Why Call a Lawyer When You Can Summon a Prince to Help Through Clameur de Haro
What do you do if someone is occupying or infringing on your rights to your land? Yes, you could call the police, or you could bring a lawsuit against the offender. Or […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 