Whether you think they’re a great addition for your child’s birthday party or demons sent from hell to keep you awake at night, clowns have been around for ages and are imminently recognizable, from their red noses to their comically oversized shoes. But where does the tradition of clown-size shoes come from? If you…
Everyone knows that the Third World could use a little help, and that the First World is probably where they should turn for that help, but what about those guys in the middle? Is there such a thing as a Second World? Much to the relief of the anal retentive, the answer to that…
One bite of a delicious, warm, gooey, chocolate-y brownie fresh from the oven is enough to send most people to food heaven; but where did brownies come from, and who do we have to thank for one of the most delicious indulgences on the dessert menu? Who invented the Brownie? The answer isn’t a…
If you’ve ever been called a poindexter, you know what a backhanded compliment it can be: it means you’re smart, but in a very un-cool way. Where did the term come from? Believe it or not, we can thank the antics of a cartoon cat for this not-quite-a-compliment. In 1919, Felix the Cat began…
How many times a day do you use the term “OK”? If you were to count all the times you use the expression, whether it’s to show enthusiasm, agree with someone, describe something, or to change the topic of conversation, you’d probably be taken aback by how important those two little letter are. They’re…
Today, “Bingo” is a game of chance and “Beano” is an over-the-counter medication that helps you pass gas. Amazingly, though, “Bingo” was once called “Beano”, and before that, it was called “Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia.” Here’s how the popular game made its way from Italy in the 1500s to modern-day bingo halls and senior…
Few things bring more frustration to a Westerner than trying to use chopsticks – it’s like having to work for every bite, and it seems unlikely that Eastern folks are just born with the innate ability to pick up rice with two sticks. Well, just like Western children are taught to use a fork…
There are a few reasons why people cross their fingers, but in the Western world one of the main reasons is to bring good luck, or to show support and solidarity for someone else. “I’ll keep my finger’s crossed” means “I’m rooting for you” or “I hope you have good fortune.” It’s one of…
Have you ever wondered about whether or not your favorite newscasters are just hiding their regional accents, or if they really don’t have any distinguishing inflections? In reality, they’re probably just using a neutral-sounding accent, known in the US as the General American accent. The General American accent is the tone of choice for nightly…
Whether you like yours with a slim fit, boot cut, wide-leg, or hip-hugger, pants are modern mankind’s most versatile and popular garment. But this wasn’t always so: at one point, men and women alike enjoyed cool breezes in their nether regions from tunics, gowns and kilts. Why did the free-spirited days of robes give…
If you work for eight hours, you probably take a break after four hours of work. If you were to run for an hour, the best time to grab some water would probably be a half-hour into your run. Yet for some reason, in the world of baseball, it’s become logical to give everyone a…
Polka dots – probably best known today as gracing the bodies of pin-up models and Minnie Mouse, actually have quite the storied past. Where did they come from, and where do they get their musically inclined name? Polka Dot origin Polka dots have been around since at least the mid-1800s, although they weren’t always called…
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