In an earlier article, we discussed the reason for the lengthy warnings that always show up at the end of pharmaceutical commercials. That did not answer the question, however, about why some […]
Warning: These Warnings Warn About Worrying Warnings
A Voice From Beyond and an Ill-Timed Joke
Funerals can be awkward events for most people. Those who show up to provide emotional support to the grieving family frequently find themselves at a loss for words. Repeated expressions of, “I’m […]
It Was a Dark and Stormy Opening Line
One of the most famous opening passages of any novel comes from a book that is hardly recognized today. George Bulwer-Lytton introduced the world to Paul Clifford in 1830 with the words, […]
Does Your Name Define You? Aptronyms Provide Prophetic Nomenclature
Parents generally give a lot of consideration to the names they bestow upon their children. The choice of the right name is important in terms of carrying on family tradition or honoring […]
What Was the Most Boring Day in History?
History is filled with dates that will live in infamy. The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; the December 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor; and the November 23, 1963, assassination of John […]
The Unkillable General Adrian Carton de Wiart
In the realm of science fiction, one of the most formidable fighters of all time is a Terminator. These robotic soldiers from the future are the ultimate killing machine because they are […]
Join the Effort to Save These Words and Phrases From Extinction
They are on the precipice of extinction. Without decisive action, all fifty of them will be gone, only to appear as footnotes in the textbooks of the future. Saving them is going […]
The Complicated Grammar Rule You Know Without Knowing
Certain rules of grammar are easy to articulate and uphold. Taking on “commandment” status, some elements of the English language get drilled into our heads at an early age: don’t split infinitives, […]
Ways to Drive People Nuts
If you are bored and wanting to find a way to pass the time, there’s nothing that can compete with watching the people around you needlessly freak out. If that sounds like […]
A Warning for Women About the Dangers of Bicycle Face
Nineteenth-century life had more than its share of challenges for women. Disenfranchisement, substandard medical care, and the need to wear corsets are just a few of the downsides they had to face. […]
The Real-Life Story of Agatha Christie’s Greatest Unsolved Mystery
Agatha Christie’s name is synonymous with mysteries. The author of such classics as Murder on the Orient Express, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and Death on the Nile, her novels have sold […]
A High-Flying Prediction, Off By a Million Years
Humans have tried to emulate birds’ ability to fly since before recorded history. Despite centuries of effort, heavier-than-air flight remained out of reach. No one knows how many people lost their lives […]
Sybil Ludington, the Female Paul Revere
Originally posted on Today in History:
“Listen my children and you shall hear,Of the midnight ride of” …Sybil Ludington. Wait…What? Paul Revere’s famous “midnight ride” began on the night of April 18,…
World’s Happiest Animal, the Quokka Gives and Inspires Smiles
Hopefully, you know someone who makes you feel good, even on your worst days. Certain people are a perpetual fountain of optimism and cheer. Just looking at such a person lifts your […]
How a Medical Legend Maneuvered Celebrities into Treating AIDS Patients With Malaria
Each year 1-3 million people die from malaria. Another 1 million annually succumb to AIDS. You don’t need to be a physician to realize both of these diseases are pretty bad. Anyone […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 