Articles
Explore our collection of articles covering a wide range of topics.
Why did England once tax houses based on the number of windows they had?
Ever seen old English houses with bricked-up windows and wondered why? Discover the fascinating, and sometimes dark, story behind the infamous 'window tax' that literally charged people for daylight.
How can some frogs survive being frozen completely solid during winter?
Discover the astonishing secret of frogs that freeze solid like ice statues—hearts stopped, lungs still—only to thaw out and hop away come spring.
Is it actually illegal to handle salmon suspiciously in the UK?
Could lurking near the fish counter *actually* land you in trouble? We investigate the strange truth behind the UK's infamous 'suspiciously handling salmon' law.
Where did the familiar dollar sign symbol ($) actually come from?
Forget the myths about 'U' superimposed on 'S'; the real story behind the ubiquitous dollar sign ($) involves Spanish pesos and hasty colonial accounting shortcuts.
Why do clocks traditionally run clockwise?
We take 'clockwise' for granted, but why *that* specific direction and not the other way? Uncover the fascinating, ancient reason rooted in the sun's daily journey across the sky.
Why do some coins have ridges around their edges?
Ever wonder about those bumps on the side of your quarter? Discover the surprisingly criminal reason ridges were first added to coins, a clever trick against thieves that's still used today.