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Measuring time has always been a challenge. Before the advent of modern clocks, how did people keep track of the hours? Well, they had to rely on a mix of strange yet ingenious methods. While these early timekeeping devices lacked the precision we expect today from an average clock, they were still effective tools for organizing daily life and gaining a sense of time's passage. Here are 10 quirky timekeeping methods that shaped how we understand time today. Read more

English is full of words that don’t sound the way they look. Some borrow foreign pronunciations, while others have silent letters or unexpected stresses. These tricky words can trip up even native speakers and language experts. From colonel to victuals, here are 10 common words that most people mispronounce. Read more

A peculiar skill is something that many of us have. It can be a special ability to recognize lookalikes, make pets fall asleep quickly, or guess names, among a million other things. However, some people manage to make a career out of their unusual skills, and this has happened over and over again throughout history. Take a look at the following 11 examples. Did you know any of these? Read more

We all know that the letters that score the most points in Scrabble are J and X (8 points), and Q and Z (10 points). But the most popular word game in the world is also about being able to combine all the lettered tiles that luck has handed you, even when they don't seem to have anything in common. One of the first things Scrabble players should learn is new and different words to help them win the game. In this article, we have compiled 10 words that—if the conditions are right—will make you score the most points in an opening play. Come join us! Read more

The moon isn’t just a pretty light in the night sky. Depending on when it appears, it has different names based on history, farming, and folklore. You probably know about the blue moon, but did you know there’s a "strawberry moon" and even a "wolf moon"? Let’s explore where these names come from and the stories behind them. Read more

Typically, the Middle Ages have carried the stigma of being a time of regression, superstition, ignorance, and barbarism. However, in 1,000 years, there was enough time for great transformations, including key cultural, technological, and scientific breakthroughs. Yes, it was a time marked by conflict, famine, and disease, but many inventions and developments laid the foundations for the modern world. In this article, we’ll discuss why the Middle Ages weren’t as obscure as you might think. Come join us! Read more

Human societies have always been fascinated by what the future might hold—and with this yearning to glimpse what lies beyond the horizon came a host of very strange ideas. From the twitch of a cat's tail to the flight of birds, cultures around the world have interpreted various natural events as imbued with prophetic significance. And many of these foreboding signs were believed to predict misfortune or disaster, often helping people make sense of the unexpected. Join us as we explore 10 of the most notorious bad omens that have instilled fear and superstition throughout the ages. Read more

If you’ve ever wondered why so many tech companies have names that seem unrelated to their products or services, you’re not alone. Big brands like Google, eBay, Adobe, and Apple, to name a few, have quirky names that seem to be more about the sound or the catchiness of the word rather than the actual meaning of it. But even if the meaning isn’t immediately obvious, it does exist. Did you know the origins of these 12 names? Read more

These days, it seems every city offers a ghost tour, every building over fifty years old claims cases of the supernatural, and every cemetery has a list of reported specter sightings. But the fascination with ghosts and the retelling of their haunted stories are as old as humanity. Let’s look into the names of some of the world’s best-known legendary ghosts and the eerie tales that have been passed down for generations. Read more

Don’t you sometimes feel like we never have enough time to do anything in this fast-paced world? Our jobs, home lives, and hobbies seem intertwined with the never-ending, unstoppable speed of modern communication. However, we’ve managed to gain a few extra seconds in the most unlikely of places—our language. Abbreviations, acronyms, and other shortened words allow us to convey full messages with just a few letters. With that in mind, we’ve selected 10 of the most useful and popular abbreviations, hoping you’ll discover new vocabulary to help you gain some precious seconds for your enjoyment. Read more

Many of us are familiar with popular Latin phrases such as et cetera, mea culpa, and per se. However, Latin is a rich language that has given us many more expressions—some less famous but still incredibly useful in everyday life. Join us as we explore 10 Latin phrases that everyone should be using! Read more

How often do you recognize a familiar tune even though you don’t know the name of the song? This common phenomenon has existed since the invention of music, and examples of it are nearly infinite. However, we’ve narrowed it down to six songs you’ve almost certainly heard—but might not know by name. Read more

Hand gestures are everywhere—so ingrained in our daily lives that we often don’t realize how frequently we communicate through them. Whether expressing emotions, adding context to our words, or simply enhancing spoken communication, gestures are a vital part of our shared culture, passed down through generations for centuries. From ancient Rome to the modern day, here are 12 hand gestures and their fascinating origins explained. Read more

Creating a memorable message, one that allows immediate identification of a brand with its consumers, is no easy task. It requires a good dose of creativity and a perfect understanding of what makes us human. Throughout history, some companies have been able to create truly memorable taglines that have managed to last years, even decades. The stories behind these creations are truly fascinating. Continue reading to discover the behind-the-scenes of 10 of the most famous brand slogans ever. Read more

We all know what a biologist or a historian studies —those are easy. But what about a pomologist or a speleologist? Some areas of expertise have names that sound nothing like what they actually mean. In this article, you'll see the name of a field first —then try to figure out what it really means before reading the answer. Some might be simple, but others will surprise you. Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s begin! Read more

What would life be like without color? Since ancient times, humanity has been captivated by colors, making great efforts to replicate them—first on the rough walls of caves, then on canvases, and eventually on everything we create. Though colors are simply _tricks of the light_—wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum—we’ve assigned deep meanings to them. These hues, in both bold contrasts and subtle shades, have shaped our cultures throughout history. Yet, just like language, their meanings have evolved. From pink once symbolizing masculinity to the concept of color as camouflage, the story of color is rich and ever-changing. Read more

Music has been a part of our civilization since ancient times: In fact, some archaeologists believe that humans have played and enjoyed music since the dawn of time. In any case, while music understandably evolves as we do, the sense of wonder and magic that we feel whenever we hear a particularly good song is probably similar to what our forefathers felt. However, it is true that the ancient times didn’t have the instruments we know today, so we have decided to highlight 10 instruments from the past: Some of these instruments are the direct ancestors of some of our modern instruments, while others remain relevant to this day. Enjoy! Read more

Some of the most famous fictional characters in history feel larger than life, but what if they were actually based on real people? Some were fearless adventurers but this list also includes terrifying villains. Actual figures inspired many beloved (and infamous) characters. From Mary Poppings to horrific Hannibal Lecter, these real-life inspirations may surprise you! Read more

Derived from the Greek epitaphios meaning "a funeral oration," epitaphs are quotations or phrases carved on a grave to honor a deceased person. These poignant inscriptions —some written with a great sense of humor— portray the final thoughts and legacy of the departed. From famous writers to rockstars and Wild West outlaws, here's a selection of our 12 favorite celebrity epitaphs! Read more

Is there a meal you look forward to every year? Perhaps roasted turkey or gingerbread cookies? All over the world, nations have their own festive traditions and associated delicacies—some sweet, some savory, some baked, and some fried. Let’s explore the names and stories of these foreign treats and decide which ones we’d like to try first. Read more