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The actual 12 days of Christmas start on December 25—here are some fun facts about the song you can enjoy during the festivities.

You might be surprised to learn that German chocolate cake has nothing to do with Germany—it’s actually named after the guy who developed the specific chocolate.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or ‘Festa dei Sette Pesci,’ is a delectable blend of the sacred and secular, the old world and the new.

These classic films deserve a rewatch in time for their big anniversaries.

Language

More From the Language Section

These words don’t mean what they once did centuries ago.

Take a moment to enjoy the advent of the colder months by curling up with these 14 words for winter from around the world.

The stories might sound interesting, but they’re not all necessarily the truth. Here are five misconceptions about how popular phrases were invented.

Ever wonder where slang terms like snafu, valley girl, and dumpster fire came from?

Our languages vary, but we may not be that different after all. From the word “huh” to how we come up with the names of colors, here are five speech quirks that are nearly universal.

The English language is bursting with colorful expressions that come from strange and surprising places—and many of them once had literal meanings that the general public has long since forgotten.

’Tis the season to learn how to say “Merry Christmas” in many languages.

Think about it: have you ever heard someone say they had “extenuating errands”? These eight words are only used in a very specific context.

Science

More From the Science Section

The days will only get longer from here.

From blue balls to broken hymens, there’s a lot people don’t understand about sex.

These unusual formations are worth a second look.

Literature

More from the Literature Section

We’re looking at the dark and twisted origin stories of some of our favorite Disney movies, including 'Cinderella,' 'Mulan,' and more.

Add these 10 to your TBR in time for the holiday season.

Classic literature lovers and beyond need to read these five at least once in their lives.

These books eerily predicted technological advancements of today, including ‘Snow Crash,’ ‘Player Piano,’ and more.

These books are still relevant and worth the read, even 50 years later.

Such was the success of 'A Christmas Carol' that the four festive stories Dickens published after it—some overlooked classics, others critical flops and missteps—have since largely become eclipsed by their better-known predecessor.

No matter your favorite genre, you can find surprisingly uplifting books amongst the darkness.

The latest ‘Knives Out’ film is now playing in select theaters. Here are the five mystery books that clearly inspired writer-director Rian Johnson.

History

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The details of the story—both small and big—have been interpreted in different ways, some of which have no evidence at all.

Transportation

More From the Transportation Section

From leopards hidden in luggage to over a hundred snakes stashed in a man’s pants, there are some absolutely wild stories of people smuggling animals.

To prevent spilled dishes and spoiled perishables from ruining the meal, check out these tips for safely packing and transporting food to Thanksgiving dinner.

Your favorite pet goldfish won’t get flagged—and neither will your holiday leftovers.

License plate flipping is illegal—but that doesn‘t stop motorcyclists from doing it.

Live Smarter

More From the Live Smarter Section

Need a last-minute gift? It’s OK to see what you already have on hand—as long as you go about things the right way.

Holidays

Technology

Food

More From the Food Section

Discover the fascinating history of hot chocolate, from its ancient origins to its modern-day gourmet variations.

Animals

More From the Animal Section

When you think of extinct animals, you might go to a saber-toothed cat, or the infamous dodo. But there are, unfortunately, a lot more recent animals that have gone the way of that ill-fated bird.

Horses and humans have a long history together. But how much do you really know about these incredible animals?

Yes, reindeer are real—but no, they can’t fly.

It may be tempting to channel your inner Disney princess and befriend (or at least, attempt to befriend) every animal you come across. But wildlife is always better left alone.

Love animals? Then you‘ll want to add to these 10 countries to your bucket list.

From Martha the passenger pigeon to Lonesome George the Pinta Island tortoise, these endlings had an unfortunate claim to fame.

Older animals can still make great companions—here’s what to consider when looking to add one to your family.

Careful study of surviving documents and specimens, as well as a little science, have revealed a bit about the dodo.

Culture

More From the Culture Section

In case you’re looking to relocate in the new year, these 12 cities across the globe offer great prices and way of living for any digital nomads.

Cultures around the world performed rituals on the winter solstice for the return of the sun. While some of these celebrations have been left in the past or absorbed into other winter festivities, others are still celebrated to this day.

One such place is notable for being both clothing-optional and having its own working nuclear reactor.

Entertainment

More From the Entertainment Section

Acclaimed author Stephen King has been very vocal over the years on the many adaptations of his works—and not all of it has been positive.

Crime

More from the Crime Section

Not all stolen art remains lost forever.

These infamous prisoners unexpectedly validate the adage “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Real crime fighters might not have superpowers, but these tactics are the next best thing.

The phrase “ripped from the headlines” doesn’t just apply to 'Law & Order' episodes. Songwriters throughout the history of popular music have drawn inspiration from real-life tales of murder and mayhem.

Sports

More From the Sports Section

It really is a shame that these teams of yore are now defunct.

Art

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Fun

More From the Fun Section

The prices of Beanie Babies fluctuate, but right now you can purchase the holiday collections at a low price.

Some of Hallmark's Disney ornaments are hard to find, making them extremely valuable to collectors.

As you dust off your holiday decorations from previous years, see if you can find any Department 56 items hiding around.

Whether you're a holiday fanatic who wants even more reason to celebrate the month or a Scrooge with a burning desire to buck tradition, we've got plenty of offbeat observances to put on your December calendar.

If you’re looking to wow a crowd with fun, obscure facts and tidbits about all things Christmas, we have you covered—and we’ve also sprinkled in a handful of holiday quizzes so you can test your knowledge, too.

Life is bursting with pairs of commonly confused things—we’ll teach you how to tell a bunch of them apart.

Video games have been around for many decades—so it’s no surprise a number of myths and rumors have cropped up surrounding them.

Stop doom scrolling and fill your brain with these fascinating—and utterly random—facts instead.

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