When naturalist George-Louis Leclerc Buffon espoused his “theory of degeneracy,” he raised a few eyebrows and hurt the feelings of more than a few. His theory was that all species — including […]
Jefferson’s Moose Was a Moot Point
Lady Liberty Almost Ended Up in the Desert
The majestic image of the Statue of Liberty is so firmly connected with the United States that it is hard to imagine it being anywhere else. In fact, the USA received Lady […]
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
As George Bernard Shaw perused the shelves of a secondhand bookstore, he came across a volume of his plays. He opened the book and found his handwriting on the flyleaf, addressed to […]
The Gift That Didn’t Please His Wife
Cecil Chubb (1876-1934) was in the market for the perfect gift for his wife and thought he found just the thing. Apparently thinking that her love for “big stones” meant something other […]
The Rising Costs of Partridges in Pear Trees
If you want to bless your true love during the 12 days of Christmas next year, you may want to save up your pennies, starting now. According to the latest study, the […]
Each Year Brings Pain … And Riches
Birthdays in Scotland come with a tradition of being greeted with a soft swat on the backside for every year of age. To make up for any offense, the recipient also […]
When Just Sending a Card is Really Better
Draco (650 BC – 600 BC), an Athenian lawgiver, was smothered to death in 620 BC by gifts of cloaks and hats showered upon him by appreciative citizens. source
