Jane Alexander

Joined: Apr 26, 2021

Jane Alexander is a freelance writer based in the UK. She focuses on literature, history, and the visual arts, and has previously written for Londonist, among other publications.

You may not want to be alone in some of these libraries.

6 Supposedly Haunted Libraries

7 Supposedly Haunted Artworks

Who pulled off these heists has never officially been determined.

6 Infamous Unsolved Bank Robberies

7 Tips for Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

Vanderlei Lima getting attacked by Neil Horan at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

10 Scandals That Rocked the Summer Olympics

Though the Games are meant to foster a sense of unity among nations, they’ve seen their fair share of scandal—and even tragedy.

Paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to some interesting interpretations.

8 Interesting Interpretations of Famous Artworks

It’s no surprise that paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘The Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to myriad interpretations over the years—some more bizarre than others.

You’ll probably never see a manticore in the wild.

10 Strange Creatures That Prowl the Pages of Medieval Bestiaries

Contrary to what was once assumed, medieval people did not necessarily believe all these odd beasts actually existed.

“Frère Jacques”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it.

George Washington went by a code name during the Revolutionary War. (And technically, he should be saying, “Hello, my 411 is 711”—411 was the code for “name.”)

12 Historical Code Words and Phrases

Asking a police officer “do you drink?” in the 1970s had nothing to do with grabbing a beer at a nearby bar.

“Itsy Bitsy Spider”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

Early versions of the rhyme included the words ‘bloody’ and ‘blooming’—and sometimes didn’t feature a spider at all.

Copper and Tod in the 1981 Disney adaptation of ‘The Fox and the Hound.’

10 Fantastic Fictional Foxes

From Reynard to Robin Hood, these fictional foxes all left a lasting impression.

On a cruise ship, the name ‘Oscar’ has a very serious meaning.

14 Secret Code Words You Might Want to Know

Whether they’re said over a PA or in a one-on-one conversation, these seemingly innocuous terms are actually codes to alert those in the know that something is up while keeping others in the dark.

How Ireland Became the ‘Emerald Isle’

The origins of Ireland's ‘Emerald Isle’ nickname trace back to the 18th-century physician, poet, and activist who penned the poem “When Erin First Rose.”

These spiders and their webs aren’t meant to be scary.

Why Ukrainians Hang Spider Webs on Their Christmas Trees

The Eastern European tradition is rooted in a beloved folktale often known as 'The Legend of the Christmas Spider.'

A dreidel and pile of chocolate gelt are a common sight during Hanukkah celebrations.

The Surprising History of the Hanukkah Dreidel

It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.

You’ll want to add ‘The Deep,’ My Heart Is a Chainsaw,’ ‘Our Share of Night,’ and ‘The Between’ to your reading list.

11 Contemporary Horror Authors to Read (Who Aren’t Stephen King)

If you want to expand your horror reading beyond Stephen King, look no further than this list, which features everyone from Mariana Enriquez to Stephen Graham Jones and beyond.