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 […]
As a fad, baggy hip-hop jeans have lasted longer than bell-bottoms and parachute pants…combined
The final episodes of long-running TV shows can be major cultural events—the country just about shut down for the final chapters of Seinfeld, Cheers, and M*A*S*H, for example. But life isn’t fair, and neither is TV, when it comes to these iconic TV shows that didn’t get a proper sendoff. Law & Order For 20 […]
Everybody knows Superman can fly faster than a speeding bullet, and that Spider-Man can fling webs and crawl on them. But there are a lot of superheroes in the worlds of comic books and movies—and they can do a lot more than fly and crawl fast. SUPERMAN THE VENTRILOQUIST This particular Man of Steel power […]
Colors have a lot more impact on our daily lives than you might think. Here are some things researchers have found out about people and their perceptions and responses to colors.
It’s long been a custom for celebrities staying at hotels, hospitals, and other places to do so under a fake name. It allows them to maintain a little bit of privacy. The next time you’re at a hotel, see if you spot any of these names on the register. Beyoncé When she recently checked into […]
Most points scored? More rebounds than anybody? That’s fine, but who got hit by a pitch the most? Brett Favre Brett Favre is a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback, and he’s second on the all-time list in touchdown passes. But perhaps because he played a relatively long time—19 seasons in all—Favre also was intercepted […]
The unlikely, common origin stories of two very different icons of American pop culture. “We’ve Only Just Begun” In 1970, California-based Crocker National Bank enlisted the help of San Francisco ad agency Hal Riney & Partners to increase the bank’s awareness with young adult customers. The agency hired the songwriting team of Roger Nichols and […]
As with many common phrases that have been around for seemingly forever, there are a lot of possible stories about its origin. The Plague of Justinian The Plague of Justinian was a particularly nasty plague that hit Europe hard during the late 6th century. Europe was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church at the time, […]
It’s time to play the music, it’s time to light the lights…and check out these stories about how a bunch of those beloved Muppets were created. Cookie Monster In 1966, Muppets creator Jim Henson designed three monster puppets for use in a commercial for a snack product called Wheels, Crowns, and Flutes. Each puppet corresponded […]
The science of how processed foods and consumer products are made is absolutely fascinating…and a little stomach-turning, too. Raisin the Steaks A number of tangy, Worcestershire sauce-like steak sauces, such as A1, contain raisin paste. That’s just dried grapes—raisins—mushed into a paste and mixed up with the other herbs, spices, and flavorings. It’s traditionally been […]
