“Common knowledge” is frequently wrong. Here are some examples of things that many people believe…but that, according to our sources, just aren’t true. Sushi Myth: Sushi is raw fish. Fact: Technically, sushi isn’t fish at all. The name of this Japanese dish refers to the vinegared rice, which often is topped with raw seafood. But […]
Rock bands get their name from all kinds of places—even books. (By the way, “Uncle John” is still available, should any of you aspiring musicians need a moniker.) Veruca Salt This ‘90s alternative rock band (best known for “Seether”) is named after the snotty, spoiled girl who wins one of the Golden Tickets to visit […]
More fun in-jokes and cameos from the silver screen. CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2000) I Spy…E.T.’s living room Where to Find It: Wearing nothing but a plastic blow-up swimming-pool toy, Dylan (Drew Barrymore) bursts into a house where two boys are playing a video game. It’s the same house in Tujunga, California, that was used for E.T. […]
The NHL has announced that it will expand with a team in Las Vegas, which will begin play in 2017. It’s the first time one of the “big 4” team sports leagues will set up shop in Sin City…but it’s not for a lack of trying. Las Vegas Jazz Less than five years after moving […]
Some trivia about the good ol’ red, white, and blue. The federal government has on hand three potential flag designs should there ever be a 51st state. A leading candidate to be state #51: Puerto Rico, and so the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico commissioned one of those designs. Instead of rows of stars, […]
Maybe one of these will fall this year. Most strikeouts in a dome This kind of record obviously favors modern-day pitchers, but Randy Johnson still has an overwhelming lead. He’s retired 2,279 batters in ballparks with roofs, more than the second- and third-place pitchers (Nolan Ryan’s 1,123 and Brad Radke’s 943) combined. Most foul balls […]
Save these classic curses to use against people who refuse to toast you. May the curse of Mary Maline and her nine blind children chase you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself won’t find you with a telescope. May your daughter’s beauty be admired by everyone in the circus. May […]
Uncle John sure looked rad as he drove his DeLorean to the Wham! concert, wearing his single white glove and brand new Members Only jacket with the collar turned up. SWATCH WATCHES In 1983 Switzerland’s two biggest watchmakers were on the verge of bankruptcy because of competition from cheap Japanese watches. The companies decided to […]
“Mr. Hockey” has passed away at the age of 88. Here are a few stories about one of the greatest hockey players to ever take the ice. Gordie Howe Hat Trick Howe was as frequent a brawler as he was a scorer—he started a lot of fights on the ice. There’s an unofficial hockey accomplishment […]
Game of Thrones is a pop cultural phenomenon. People are so excited about the HBO series based on a series of books by author George R.R. Martin that its influence has crossed over into the real world. 1) In 2015, a warthog at the Detroit Zoo named Lilith gave birth to five piglets. Officials from […]
Baseball is a game built on traditions. It’s been played in virtually the same way for more than a century…except for a handful of changes that made a big impact on the “national pastime.” Big-league pitchers don’t spend a lot of time practicing hitting because they’ve got to focus on their specialty. The vast majority […]
We’ve run articles before about demographic standouts in baseball, football, basketball, and hockey, and it’s been one of our most popular features. In advance of the Summer Olympics in Rio, here are some Olympics notables. Tallest: Paulo César da Silva Paulo César da Silva played for the Brazilian national basketball team at the 1988 Olympics. He […]
Baseball movies? Football movies? Seen ’em. But have you seen these films, based on sports that are a little outside the mainstream…or don’t exist at all? Rollerball (1975) Sport: Rollerball, a combination of roller derby, basketball, and rioting, in which two teams skate (some players ride motorcycles) around a banked track and score points by […]
It’s a bizarre Internet phenomenon: Old pictures or videos pop up, and somebody in them looks like they’re using modern-day technology. Are we just seeing things wrong…or are these time-travelers caught on camera? If you could go back in time, what would you do? Warn people about coming tragedies? Invest in the stock market? Or […]
Muhammad Ali was a towering presence in sports and society. As a boxer he was “The Greatest,” and was equally well known as a social crusader and activist. The world loved Ali, and he crossed over into pop culture a number of times. The Greatest More than two decades before Will Smith was nominated for […]
Songs that made the whole world sing…or at least sit up and take notice. The Song: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Recorded by: Band Aid Story: In November 1984, Irish rock musician Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats saw a TV news report about the millions of people suffering from a famine in Ethiopia. He […]
Before the days of instant interaction via the Internet and social media, the way to tell a celebrity you liked their work was to write them a fan letter. In return, you might get a signed headshot and a form letter. Here are some celebrities, from then and now, with creative responses to fans. Steve […]
What kind of person would think you can learn and have fun at the same time? (Uh-oh—don’t tell Uncle John we said that.) STACKING RINGS Cornelius Holgate started a small family carpentry business outside Philadelphia in 1789. It thrived over the years, but in 1929, the Holgates finally found their niche: wooden toys. Child psychologist […]
