NEWS

If you drive the same route long enough, sign fonts become fascinating.

Why Does the U.S. Highway System Use Two Different Fonts?

Attentive drivers will notice more than one kind of typeface during their travels.

Mario Van Peebles swings and misses in ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987).

The 50 Worst Sequels of All Time, According to Rotten Tomatoes

These franchises should have ended with the first movie.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #4

The riddle below dates back to the 19th century—can you figure it out?

It’s easy to recognize these political symbols.

How Did the Donkey and Elephant Become Political Mascots?

Andrew Jackson’s 1828 political campaign kicked it off, and cartoonist Thomas Nast made the political symbols really gain traction.

11 Discontinued Ice Creams

Not all the classic frozen treats you remember from the ’80s and ’90s are still available today

Why Do Some Road Signs Have Holes in Them?

Yes, they‘re often bullet holes. No, that‘s not the only explanation.

It's simple, delectable, and vegetarian.

This Grilled Corn and Roasted Pepper Salsa Recipe Will Be a Hit at Parties

Serve this grilled corn and roasted pepper salsa recipe at your next party.

The Most-Spoken Language Besides English and Spanish in Every State, Mapped

The analysis from WordFinderX took a deep dive into the languages of the United States—and revealed some fascinating trends along the way.

The History—and Value—of the Princess Diana Beanie Baby

Trying to sell your Princess Diana Beanie Baby? She probably isn’t worth as much as you hope—here’s why.

Dodos were more agile than most people think.

Dodos May Have Been Fast and Strong, Contradicting Stereotypes

What you think you know about the dodo bird is probably wrong.

Definition Detective Quiz #2

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

The official beverage of fall (sorry, PSL.)

What's the Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider?

They’re both fruit beverages, but apple juice and apple cider are not quite the same thing.

Chalkboards have given way to dry-erase boards and smart boards.

11 Things We No Longer See In Schools

From book straps to dunce caps, these obsolete items may make you feel really young … or really old.

How An Unsuccessful TV Pilot Spawned One of the Greatest Films of the 1990s

Before there was ‘Heat,’ there was ‘LA Takedown,’ a TV pilot-turned-TV movie that aired on NBC in 1989.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan served from 1981-1989 and is remembered for his Reaganomics policies, the war on drugs, and other political endeavors. He also ate a lot of jelly beans.

Researchers Want Videos of Your Cat for Science

Playtime with your cat is adorable—and it may also be valuable to scientists at UC Davis.

There are hard-working puppeteers just out of frame.

See How ‘Sesame Street’ Puppeteers Control Their Muppets

Learn the artistry behind ‘Sesame Street’ puppeteering.

A portrait of the scientists who found and examined the Piltdown Man skull (accompanied by a picture of Charles Darwin on the wall).

10 Famous Archaeological Hoaxes

From forged artworks to fake mummies and even fraudulent orangutan bones, archaeological hoaxes fool scientists and stir the public’s imagination—until the culprits are forced to come clean.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

Tune Twist Quiz #4

In Tune Twist, we run the lyrics of a hit song through multiple languages, then translate them back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

“God” and “Jesus” are the only Simpson characters that have five fingers.

Why Do So Many Cartoon Characters Have Four Fingers?

It‘s normal for cartoon characters to be missing a digit, but how did the style originate?

Some tables are impossible to snag without the right connections.

8 of the Hardest Restaurants to Get Into In the U.S.

Contacting the restaurant a few months (or a year) out, calling relentlessly, or stopping by in case of no-shows might do the trick.

A Brief History of Leaf-Peeping

From Henry David Thoreau's 'Autumnal Tints' to the origins of the term 'leaf-peeper.'

This lucky camper scored a permit at Yosemite National Park.

National Parks Now Let Visitors Set Alerts for Online Reservations

Want to snatch a camping spot at Yosemite before they’re gone? The new availability alert feature on Recreation.gov can help.

A tornado south of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, touched down on April 15, 2012.

10 of the Most Terrifying Tornadoes in History

Tornadoes can (and do) happen anywhere. Here are 10 of the most terrible twisters to ever take a turn on Earth.

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