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It is always a delicate matter when a country changes its name, as it signifies a shift not only for the geographical area but also for its inhabitants. The very identity of a nation is affected, which is why such changes are relatively rare. But they do happen. Did you know that Iran was once known as Persia? Or that Colombia was once called New Granada? Not many people remember the original names of these 12 countries. Do you? Read more

Money makes the world go round, and in the U.S., there are more ways to talk about it than you might expect. From "bucks" and "greenbacks" to "dough" and "Benjamins," Americans have come up with a colorful range of slang and idioms to refer to cash. Did you know about these 11? Which ones do you use? Read more

The Mad Hatter may have been lovable and quirky in Alice in Wonderland, but the origin of the phrase isn’t nearly as charming. In the 18th and 19th centuries, hat-makers, especially in England, used mercury in the felt-making process. Long-term exposure to the toxic substance led to tremors, confusion, hallucinations, and even full-blown insanity. So, when someone was "mad as a hatter," it wasn’t a joke, it was actually a tragic side effect of their trade. Read more

Names are fascinating because they are much more than mere identification. They carry meanings that sometimes originate from faraway places, centuries past. Names can change so much that, centuries down the line, a John, a Sean, an Ivan, and a Jean can gather without realizing they are all named after different versions of Ioannes. Read more

Welcome to the weird, wild world of the Mandela Effect. It’s when tons of people share the same false memory, from misheard movie quotes to product names we’d bet our last dollar are right. Spoiler: they aren’t! Today, we’re diving into some of the most head-scratching examples that’ll make you laugh, squint, and maybe question reality a little. Don’t worry—if you remember it "wrong," you’ve got plenty of company. Read more

Many of us have grown up thinking that bats are blind, that we can't go swimming right after lunch, that we only have five senses, or that camels store water in their humps. Wait, do you still believe in any of these things? Don't worry! To prevent you from continuing to spread wrong ideas, we have compiled a list of 12 myths that we all believe to be true but are actually false. Do you dare to question your common sense? Read more

Some words seem interchangeable at first glance, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll notice they have completely different meanings. Saying "inept" instead of "inapt" or mixing up "anticipate" and "expect" might not seem like a big deal, but it can change the entire meaning of your sentence! Let’s clear up some of the most commonly confused word pairs! Read more

Since 1927, TIME magazine has featured the "Person of the Year" on its cover, someone who, "for better or for worse...has done the most to influence the events of the year." There have been all kinds of "Persons of the Year," and some of them weren't even people! From groups to abstract concepts and even inanimate objects, we’re looking back at those surprising moments when TIME made unexpected choices. Join us! Read more

While some cases are more obvious than others, the answer is usually not so clear. Taste is subjective, and there will always be a defiant voice claiming that the book was better—or the other way around. The following 12 examples of books adapted into movies range from the obvious to the worthy to the sublime—but not necessarily in that order. Read more

Even the most well-read among us slip up from time to time—don’t try to deny it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of; mistakes are common when language is such a variable cultural element. Some say "I could care less," while others confuse "bear" and "bare." These little slip-ups are more common than you might think. The good news? Once you spot them, they’re super easy to fix. So, let’s have some fun with grammar and clear up these mistakes once and for all! Read more

You may have never met your great-great-grandparents, but their biological legacy lives on in you in ways you might not expect. From tiny quirks in your body to odd preferences and physical features, ancestral survival and lifestyle choices have shaped what you carry today. Here are 12 surprising traits that science has linked to deep genetic inheritance. Read more

Language is alive and constantly evolving, yet in our daily lives, we barely scratch the surface of the vast vocabulary, terms, and expressions that comprise it. Many words have faded from use, while others are appropriate only in specific contexts. With this level of complexity, it’s no wonder people frequently confuse words, their meanings, and their proper usage. There’s no shame in that! We’re always learning—and relearning—how to use our language, regardless of age. Here, we’ve gathered 10 English words that are commonly misused in everyday conversation. You may just discover that you’ve been misusing some of them! Read more

Warning signs are designed to communicate important information in the simplest and most universally understandable way possible. But, sometimes, what is obvious to one person may not be as clear to others. Read on and find out what these 10 warning signs mean and why knowing and understanding them is important. Read more

Potatoes may be native to South America, but since their introduction to Europe by the Spaniards in the 16th century, they have made their way into kitchens around the world and become a staple in numerous cuisines due to their ease of cultivation, nutritional value, and the multitude of ways in which the can be cooked. So, let’s take a look at 10 potato-based dishes from around the world. Read more

Did you know that there is a venomous primate? And what about a species of cetacean that expels a reddish substance into the water to escape predators? These are just two examples of some of the most extraordinary defense mechanisms among mammals; however, there are many more! From amazing behaviors to unique abilities, here we share 12 mammals’ best methods of protection for you to discover some of the most unusual and fun facts in the animal kingdom!! Read more

From the food on your breakfast table to the shoes on your feet, traces of ancient mythology are hidden in plain sight. But we bet you didn’t know that! And we get it—after all, only a few people think about the origins of words daily. But don’t worry—that’s why we’re here. These mythological figures, who once inspired awe and devotion, now lend their names to the phenomena, products, and concepts we mention every day. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of mythologically inspired names and uncover 10 surprising origins. Read more

Dogs are part of the family: They're our best friends and our constant companions. But over the years, myths about dog behavior have made their way into common belief. Some sound logical, while others are just crazy, but how do we separate fact from fiction? Can dogs really tell time? Is chocolate always deadly? Let's take a look at some of the most common myths about our four-legged friends, some of which might just surprise you! Read more

Car companies are named after a myriad of things. Starting a new company usually requires individuals with a healthy dose of optimism and self-confidence, which is why it should come as no surprise that many car brands are named after their founders, who were confident people themselves. Other companies are named after ideas, concepts, places, and more. Take a look at the following 10 famous brands and their stories! Read more

Have you ever wondered about the special language of Thanksgiving? There’s a time of year when certain words are heard more frequently—turkey, dressing, gratitude… Do they ring any bells? This holiday is more than just turkey, family gatherings, and football games; it’s a time stuffed with unique words that make perfect sense in the spirit of the season. Thanksgiving vocabulary is as rich as the meal itself. Join us as we explore 10 Thanksgiving-related words that carry meanings, histories, and fun trivia. Are you ready? Let’s go! Read more

When words appear disconnected from the object they refer to, it’s usually a case of namesakes: The term may refer to their inventor, as in the case of the "Ferris wheel" and "diesel;" to early discoverers, like the case of "nicotine;" or to victims of communal bullying, like "boycott" or "silhouette." Let’s dive into the stories of surnames that made it through the centuries and into our dictionaries. Read more