NEWS

Damaged mirrors can certainly make one distraught.

Why Do Mirrors Have Black Spots?

Those unsightly black marks even have a name: mirror rot.

How 13 Dog Breeds Got Their Names

Let’s take a look at where a handful of common breeds found their monikers.

Which is the most popular genre in your state?

The Most Popular Book Genre in Each State, Mapped

Discover which literary genres captivate each state and Washington D.C.

Senator Joseph McCarthy (center) and Roy Cohn (right) during the Army-McCarthy Hearings in June 1954.

10 Suspicious Facts about McCarthyism

McCarthyism advertised itself as a response to national security threats created by the Cold War, including Soviet espionage. But the movement was bigger than Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Get ready to ease your travel woes with these new features from Google.

Google Now Lets You Track Hotel Prices Just Like Flights

Google is expanding its price-tracking feature from flights to hotels, making it easier to catch a bargain.

Why You Shouldn’t Ball Your Socks—and How to Fold Them Instead

Taking an extra minute to fold your socks the right way could significantly extend their lifespan.

The Bangles’ “Walk Like An Egyptian” was banned not once, but twice.

11 Classic Pop Songs Banned for Unusual Reasons

Reasons for banning some of these pop, rock, and punk classics range from alleged nudity to offending the queen of England.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

Tune Twist Quiz #35

Welcome to Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

Fable vs. Folktale vs. Myth: What’s the Difference?

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Martin Sheen stars in ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979).

17 Surprising Facts About ‘Apocalypse Now’

Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed (loose) adaptation of Joseph Conrad's ‘Heart of Darkness’ was supposed to be directed by George Lucas.

10 April Fools’ Pranks That Went Horribly Awry

Everyone loves a good April Fools’ prank—unless it results in armed law enforcement surrounding your home.

Who cut the cheese? Hard to say in a cabin this packed.

Yes, People Fart More on Planes—Here’s Why

There’s a scientific explanation for why folks fart more on airplanes, but it doesn’t make it any less aggravating.

Instacart is combating out-of-stock annoyances two steps at a time.

Instacart Is Using AI to Track Down Out-of-Stock Items

If you’ve ever been frustrated by an incomplete Instacart order, a new update could make life easier.

Guthman 2025's 3rd Place Winner: Dinosaur Choir: Adult Corythosaurus

What Did Dinosaurs Sound Like? This 3D-Printed Fossil Instrument Gives You an Idea

Did dinosaurs really roar? Artists Courtney Brow and Cezary Gajewski challenge this idea with 3D-printed skulls that bring prehistoric sounds to life.

The 10 States Most Likely to Survive an Alien Invasion

Did your state make the list of state most likely to endure an extraterrestrial encounter?

Behold! The World’s Largest Beaver Dam

It's twice the length of the Hoover Dam, but it was only discovered with the help of satellite imagery.

9 Bizarre Things People Found Inside Their Walls

From valuable paintings to dirty underwear, there’s no telling what could be lurking behind the sheetrock.

Harrison Ford in ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.’

Is the Film a Prequel, Sequel, or Remake?

See if you can correctly identify the status of these popular movies.

Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?

These planned communities became popular in the U.S. after World War II.

7 Historical Figures You Probably Didn’t Know Were Spies

What do Julia Child, Paul Revere, and Harriet Tubman all have in common? Each played a crucial role in the clandestine world of espionage and intelligence.

21 Alternative Words for ‘Fool’ (And Their Origins)

Show your friends you’re no oaf this April 1 with these 21 foolishly fun synonyms.

12 Cultural Shifts Sparked By the 1975 Digital Revolution

Life looks a lot different than it did in 1975, and that’s largely thanks to the digital revolution that took place 50 years ago.

5 of the Most Incredible Hugo Award-Winning Novels Written by Women

Discover some of the most gripping books written by women to receive the coveted Hugo Award, including classics from Ursula K. Le Guin and others.

How Do Cats Purr?

We know cats purr for a variety of reasons. But the actual mechanics of how they make their signature sound remains unclear.