Weird, Wonderful World
…not really a word at all. Each year, the editors of the Oxford English Dictionary, the long-standing if self-appointed guardians of the English language and official record keeper of new words, names a word, phrase, or slang term its “Word of the Year,” reflecting a major impact on society, the news, or communications. Past Words […]
Mules have been hauling people and cargo up and down the Grand Canyon for more than a century. Here are some fun facts about these industrious pack animals…
Fast food franchises are a lot better at making greasy burgers than they are at making self-promoting video games.
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about snot, boogers, phlegm, mucus…
When Uncle John learned that it was possible to do this, his first thought was, “Why would anyone want to hypnotize a chicken?” Good question. As Sir Edmund Hillary would say, “because it’s there.” (And it’s a lot easier than climbing Mt. Everest.)
Anyone asked to name a favorite condiment might quickly say ketchup or mustard, and sure—those are good. But here’s why mayonnaise is the real culinary star.
There are more than a dozen candidates running for the GOP nominations, and half a dozen running for the Democratic nominations. Think that’s a lot? In all, more than 1,220 people filed paperwork with the Federal Election Committee, declaring their intention to run for president. Here are a few of them.
Many common words and phrases were invented by cartoonists and first used in comic strips.
Uncle John knows pretty much everything—and if he doesn’t, he heads his massive research library, or puts one of his many associates on the case. So go ahead: In the comments below, ask Uncle John anything. (And if we answer your question sometime, we’ll send you a free book!)
Not people who paint cats, but cats who paint.
As Fox Mulder often said on The X-Files, when it comes to space aliens “the truth is out there.” But in each one of these cases, the “truth” wasn’t.
Antarctic research stations are so isolated that they have a lingo all their own.
Who would want to bring a toy possessed by a ghost into their home? Here’s a look at the very strange world of haunted doll collecting.
This popular attraction can now be found in five Disney theme parks around the world. The original one in Anaheim, California has been welcoming “foolish mortals” since 1969. Here’s a peek at each one of the mysterious mansions.
Early automobiles were boring black boxes, devoid of personality…until all this stuff came along to spice things up. So honk if you like car-accessory origins!
If your play manages to get to Broadway, you’ve already achieved a huge accomplishment in the world of theater. But, um, then you’ve got to deliver. These folks didn’t.
“Worth its weight in gold” is used to describe very valuable items. But based on weight, gold—worth around $40 a gram—is far from the most valuable commodity around.
Bread is an almost universal foodstuff, which means that making sandwiches, the act of stuffing food inside that foodstuff, is just as universal.
