Protests. What a great way to express disapproval and raise public awareness about society’s most significant evils. For that matter, it’s a great way to waste a lot of time making a […]
When Waiters Went on Strike Over the Right to Wear a Mustache
When a Scot Asks if Your Cat Died, It Has Nothing to Do With Your Cat
If a person from Scotland asks, “Has yer cat died?” he or she is showing concern — but not about your pet. The phrase is a peculiarly-Scottish way of pointing out that […]
The Sinister Connection to Lefties
You know, of course, that the vast majority of people are right-handed. Only about ten percent of your fellow humans have a natural predisposition toward the left. That makes them different, for […]
How a Traumatized Combat Vet Gave Us All a Glimpse Into the Surreal
Nothing in Rodman’s young life had prepared him for the hell in which he found himself. He grew up as the son of a grocer in a middle-class community. It was a […]
The Sinister Origin of a Beach Boys Song
Few cultural symbols better represent the innocence of the 1960s than the Beach Boys. They ushered in the “California sound” with songs that evoke pleasant thoughts of surfing, cars, romance, and youth. […]
The Brilliant Plan to Sell Wallpaper Cleaner to Children
Wallpaper cleaner and children. The only apparent connection between the two is that the more you have of the latter, the more likely you will need the former. With appropriate supervision, you […]
America’s Lost War Against a Highly-Addictive Substance
Who could have anticipated the dire consequences of the pharmacist’s experiments? It started so innocently. Hippolyte Mège-Mouriès was participating in a challenge that was sanctioned by none other than Emperor Napoleon III. […]
How a Man Without a Country Created a Quiet Place of Refuge
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was a man without a home, a country, or a culture. He was an outsider everywhere he went. He simply wanted a chance to make a life […]
How a Spoiled Shipment Transformed a Popular Beverage
Ludwig Roselius was not at all happy. He paid good money to have his shipment sent to Europe, but when it arrived, it was ruined. He looked at the spoiled shipment and […]
How a 10th-Century Viking King Is Responsible for Technology You Use Today
Perhaps you are wearing wireless earbuds at the moment. You might have your phone paired with your watch. You could be using a wireless mouse, keyboard, or speakers. In short, there’s a […]
How a Popular Snack Was Born Out of a Fit of Frustration
George Crum had run out of patience. He certainly subscribed to the adage that the customer is always right, and he tried his best to be accommodating, but enough was enough!
The Secret Royal Lineage of a Weird, Awkward Boy
At the time of this writing, the world’s attention is on the events surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascendency of King Charles III to the throne. One can’t […]
How an Unknown Drowning Victim Became The Most Kissed Person in the World
The young girl’s body was dragged out of the Seine River. Police investigators found no signs of trauma or a struggle. The utter absence of bruises and cuts led them to the […]
Remembering the Origins of Mother’s Day
As we enter into Mother’s Day weekend in the United States, we present this article from Waxing Poet, regarding the origins of this special day. Give thanks this day for your mother. […]
How a $40 Overdue Fine Created Netflix
Some people face hardships, concede that they are inevitable, and deal with them. Others can see the same difficulties and be pummeled into defeat or paralyzed into inaction. Then we have the […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 