On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who served in every branch of the U.S. military. Here’s a quiz about some conflicts and missions from American history that have faded away from public consciousness.
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear (1889) is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most recognizable paintings The bandaged right side of his face has fascinated art historians for decades—some believe he only sliced the earlobe, while others wonder if the wound was not selfinflicted at all. (This article was first published in Who Knew?) An Earful of […]
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Flight? Super-strength? An imperviousness to cholesterol? Tetrachromatism A condition called tetrachromatism enables a person to see more of the color spectrum than the rest of us. Those with it can notice more subtle shades of colors, even within a single object; something may appear red […]
Many countries around the world have an informal or “short form” name by which its commonly referred, and an official “long form” name. Here are some countries whose actual names you may not have known. Oriental Republic of Uruguay About the only place where it’s culturally acceptable to use the word “oriental” is when referring […]
Transforming the human body through surgery for aesthetic reasons is nothing new. While surgical procedures today are far more advanced, healers, doctors, and even barbers had been performing cosmetic procedures for centuries before the recent surge in popularity for plastic. (This article was originally published in Who Knew?) Ancient Healers Plastic surgery gets its name […]
Here are some theories on how to be the best at the only game that matters. Psychological Factors Professor Zhijian Wang of Zhejiang University in China led a study that revealed psychological factors in how people play Rock, Paper, Scissors—which a competitor in the know could use to their advantage. The Zhejiang group discovered that […]
Artists create things all the time. Here are some creators of well-known things who knew how to make a product people would love…but more about the business side than the people who negotiated their contracts. In short: They held on to the rights to something that only they knew would be worth a lot of […]
There’s a “holiday” for anything and everything anymore, but the humble and wonderful sandwich is truly deserving of its own day. Here are some origins of some legendary ‘wiches. Elvis Sandwich One of those pieces of trivia everybody seems to know regards Elvis Presley’s affinity for peanut butter sandwiches. As a kid, he liked peanut […]
Uncle John knows pretty much everything—and if he doesn’t, he puts one of his many associates on the case. So go ahead, in the comments below the article, ask away. Why do so many cartoon characters wear white gloves? Some things about cartoon characters just don’t make sense. Okay, beyond the fact that mice, rabbits, […]
It’s America’s favorite sandwich cookie, and it’s stayed the same for decades. Recently, however, Oreos seem to have gone a little mad. OREOOPS To generate press and differentiate itself over its competition, Nabisco has rolled out dozens of new Oreo flavors over the past couple of years, from Caramel Apple to Candy Corn to Swedish […]
When out and about dealing with spooky ghosts this Halloween, you’ll likely hear a boo or two. Here’s why those spirits and sprites do boo they way they do. Full disclosure: None of us here at Bathroom Reader HQ have actually seen a ghost…let alone hear one. But in old books, movies, and TV shows, […]
Here in the U.S., we dress up in costumes, beg for candy from our neighbors, and listen to “Monster Mash.” Here’s how the most spooktacular of holidays is celebrated around the globe. Great Britain The tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns came to America with immigrants from the British Isles. For as long as anyone can remember, […]
Millions have fantasized about being the hero of the World Series, like stepping up to the plate and hitting a home run. Here are some players who did just that—even though the rest of their professional baseball careers were otherwise unremarkable. • The 2016 World Series will go down in history as the one that […]
Uncle John would never destroy his own work—he just couldn’t do that to all those poor little fun facts. Maybe it’s just different with fiction, because these authors didn’t want their unfinished work released after their deaths, and they went to great lengths to make sure their wishes were honored. Edward Albee Acclaimed American playwright […]
Here’s to the pioneers behind some of the biggest innovations in American history: the people who made fast food what it is. First fast food restaurant The first to offer quick food on the go: A&W. Beginning in 1919 they served their draft root beer at a walk-up stand in Sacramento, California, and soon began […]
We’ve all had those moments—when something completely unexpected scares the c**p out of us. It gives us something to laugh about…later.
Wine is usually just some fermented grape juice, but it could be just about anything. Wines are made out of sunflowers, strawberries…and this stuff, too, if you’re feeling adventurous. Asparagus Wine Oceana County, Michigan, is the “Asparagus Capital of the World.” That means they’ve got a lot of the stalky green vegetable that makes urine […]
Major sports teams become such an entrenched part of a city and its identity that it’s a big deal when one of them up and moves to someplace else. Here are some teams that packed up and shipped out to greener pastures…but not for very long. Oklahoma City Hornets Among the widespread, devastating destruction to […]
