The Origins of 420
14 September 2002The story of how the code '420' entered drug parlance as a term signifying the time to light up a joint.
Tagged "Story Time"
Etymology of Sirloin
20 May 2001The cut of steak known as "sirloin" is not so named because an English king once knighted a piece of beef.
Etymology of 86
10 March 2009Did the term '86' (to get rid of someone or something) enter the English language as part of a restaurant code?
What Does Pumpernickel Mean?
20 May 2001Is pumpernickel bread named after a horse? Does it translate to 'devil's fart'? So many breadcrumbs to follow.
Etymology of Gringo
Did the word 'gringo' come from the song 'Green Grow the Lilacs'?
Brass Monkeys
Were brass monkeys used to store cannonballs on ships?
Etymology of Hot Dog
Was the term 'hot dog' coined by a sports cartoonist who couldn't spell 'dachshund'?
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Did Obama Pledge ‘More Flexibility’ Toward Russia After the 2012 Election?
13 December 2016In 2012, President Obama was overheard over a hot microphone telling President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia he would have "more flexibility" to negotiate with Putin after the election.
Is This Video of a ‘Gyro Drop’ Amusement Park Ride Real?
14 June 2019The "Gyro Drop" is a real amusement park ride, but a popular video of it relies on some imagination.
Will Woody Be Openly Bisexual in ‘Toy Story 4?’
3 June 2019A niche genre of 'satire' sexualizes animated characters.
Does Facebook Have ‘Shake-to-Report’ Feature That Lands Users in ‘Facebook Jail’?
14 June 2019As of late May 2019, a new Facebook feature allowing users to report technical problems by shaking their phones was being rolled out gradually to all mobile accounts.
Does This Photograph Show Two Boys — One Vaccinated, One Not — Who Were Exposed to Smallpox?
13 June 2018In the early 1900s, Allan Warner documented several cases of smallpox and the effects of vaccinations.