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A beautiful barn owl sneaks up on its prey.

How Do Owls Fly So Silently?

Owl feathers’ special structures help the wise birds sneak up on their meals.

You’ll be searching for these spots forever.

10 Places That No Longer Exist

Not even a compass could help you get to lost places like Doggerland, Guaíra Falls, and Rungholt.

Why Do We Call It a ‘Piggyback’ Ride?

Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.

Whether or not you know what flambé means, be careful trying it at home.

18 Cooking Terms You Should Know

From fold to flambé, here are the culinary terms every home cook should know.

If You Knew: The Short, Brilliant Life—and Lasting Legacy—of Jeff Buckley

If the only thing Jeff Buckley ever did was record his 1994 cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” he would still have a permanent spot in music history.

What’s the Kennection? #106

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

Watch: Mysterious Footage from a 1950s Psychiatric Hospital

Uncovered on the grounds of the now-demolished Bahr Treatment Center in Indianapolis, this time capsule contained film reels that are still shrouded in a layer of mystery.

(Left to right) Rose Hanbury, Deborah Kerr, and Ralph Fiennes.

How to Pronounce 25 Tricky British Last Names and Titles

From ‘Cholmondeley’ to ‘Wriothesley,’ here's how to pronounce Britain's least intuitive last names.

How ‘The Simpsons’ Debunks Its Own Fan Theories

‘The Simpsons’ writers are not shy about using the show to shut down some of the very ridiculous fan theories viewers have floated.

These facts about St. Patrick's Day might surprise you.

13 Lucky Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day used to be a dry holiday in Ireland—and its signature color used to be blue. Read on for more surprising St. Patrick’s facts.

Do Sharks Really Not Get Cancer?

As the thinking goes, sharks don’t get cancer, so the pills will keep you from getting it, too. But there’s a problem with that theory.

8 Things You Might Not Know About Fabio

The '90s hunk had his own 900 number, line of romance novels, and a heavyset counterpart known as 'Flabio.'

‘Cowabunga, Dude!’: Exploring the Origins of the Radical Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Catchphrase

The totally tubular TMNT catchphrase didn’t actually start with Michelangelo and the gang. In fact, “cowabunga” originated from a different kids show altogether.

Raccoons are smart, dextrous, and in your garbage cans.

10 Clever Facts About Raccoons

Whether they’re scaling skyscrapers or digging through your trash, raccoons are fascinating. Discover more about their habits, diet, and intelligence.

Where Does the Easter Bunny Come From?

Where did the idea for a rabbit that gives away eggs really come from? Trace the origins of the Easter bunny, from pagan festivals to the influence of 18th century German immigrants in America.

13 Stripped-Down Facts About ‘Showgirls’

“Showgirls” was one of the biggest box-office bombs of the 1990s, but this 1995 erotic drama about an exotic dancer turned Vegas showgirl has since become the stuff of midnight movie gold.

The Origin of ‘Talk to the Hand’

The dismissive gesture is a 1990s original thanks to two very different sitcom stars.

A Simple Trick for Remembering the First 100 Digits of Pi

A druid, Muammar Gaddafi, and a horseshoe are all players in this genius memory hack.

An animal you seriously don't want to mess with.

9 Amazing Facts About Komodo Dragons

In addition to being Earth’s largest living lizard, behavior like human-eating and grave-robbing are the Komodo dragon’s biggest claims to fame.

Barbara Newhall Follett in an undated photo.

Barbara Newhall Follett: The Child Novelist Who Later Vanished Into Thin Air

A gifted writer, Follett finished her first novel at age 12. By age 25, she was never seen or heard from again.

Don't believe everyone who claims to have royal blood.

8 People Who Impersonated Royals—And Almost Got Away With It

Whether driven by opportunity, coercion, or simply the desire to belong, here are the unbelievable true stories of eight people who claimed to be royal—and nearly got away with it.

Why Do We Call It a ‘Cottage Industry’?

The term is often applied to everything from Etsy shops to trendy businesses. But what does ‘cottage industry’ really mean?

Ever wonder why we decorate Easter eggs?

The Fascinating Origins of 15 Spring Symbols and Traditions

As you’re celebrating the sunny season with domestic cleanses, painted eggs, and frenzied grappling matches over beer barrels, you might begin to wonder where these rituals came from.

There are way more digits in pi than you probably realize.

How to Memorize Pi if You’re a Word Person

Pi Day offers something for the math-lover and baked-goods lover. What about the word lover? Here are some tips and tricks for memorizing the digits of pi with words.

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