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They might not make sense now, but these laws were created out of necessity.

“Don’t duel” is a given. Here are few other pearls of wisdom from one of America’s most familiar Founding Fathers.

Once designed to teach, preach, or persuade, these familiar board games now mask the strange historical forces that informed their conception.

The upcoming Gaston movie means another Disney villain is about to have their story come to life. Here are six others who deserve that treatment.

Language

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You might be surprised to learn that many words have origins from ancient Greek and Roman mythological creatures. Here are 12 examples.

Before we used the internet, these words meant something else entirely. Read on to learn the original meaning of 10 everyday internet terms.

Winter is here—and if the bad weather catches up with you, you might find these words indispensable.

We’re giving you permission to disobey your stodgy old high school English teacher.

If you work in a corporate setting, it’s likely you’ve heard these terms tossed around this year.

Chances are you’ve heard some of these terms over the past year—whether you understood what they meant or not.

Is it bald faced lie, or bold faced lie? Coming down the pike? Or pipe? Coleslaw, or cold slaw?

These familiar words and sayings, such as ableism, couch potato, and more, aren’t as old as you might think.

Science

More From the Science Section

From eradicating smallpox to battling the COVID-19 pandemic, these vaccine pioneers have helped make colossal strides in public health.

Discover the history of the flu and its devastating impact on the world, from the deadliest influenza pandemic to today’s vaccines.

Whether you like bundling up in your coziest gear or are counting the days until spring, you’ll enjoy these facts about winter weather.

Literature

More from the Literature Section

From iconic novels adapted into popular films and TV series to titles released posthumously, these books celebrate a milestone birthday in the new year.

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.

History

More From the History Section

Some of our favorite figures from history, literature, music, pop culture, and more were born in the first month of the year. Do you share a birthday with one of these famous folks?

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

How much water should you really drink a day? Well, it’s complicated.

Holidays

Technology

Food

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Enjoy a taste of how people around the world ring in the New Year.

Animals

More From the Animal Section

Always look before you sit.

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.

Culture

More From the Culture Section

We’re throwing it back to 2006 and remembering the defining pop culture moments of that year.

Remember all the things you’d do to get a better chance of having a snow day? Here are nine of those superstitions.

From holding your breath while driving by a graveyard to keeping loose change in your car, here are eight strange driving superstitions.

Entertainment

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An inside look at the No. 1 singles that cemented Bruno Mars' icon status leading up to the release of 'The Romantic.'

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

Ever think about just how incredibly old sharks are?

These games, action figures, and other toys were all the rage nearly 25 years ago.

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.

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