Author: Aalia Hussein

Posted on

A Brief History of Paper Towels

The Paper Towel is one of the most popular household inventions. Due to its multi-purpose functionality, from cleaning surfaces and spills, wiping windows and drying hands, this absorbent towel has become a family favourite and you’ll probably find one in almost every kitchen. So how did this invention come into our hands? The Scott Paper Company The Scott Brothers, Clarence, and Irvin had opened up their paper company in 1879 but it wasn’t until 1907 that they had created the paper towel. Their invention was entirely accidental because the paper towels were first used for medical use, particularly in hospitals

The post A Brief History of Paper Towels appeared first on Factual Facts.

Posted on

The History of Valentine’s Day

Each year on February 14th, people across the world celebrate Valentine’s Day; a day meant for spoiling and appreciating your significant other. In some cases, it can be a simple gesture of love toward a friend or family member, so while it’s primarily used to display romantic love, platonic love can be shown as well. The Legend of Saint Valentine The legend goes that a priest named Valentine in third century Rome served under Emperor Claudius II. The Emperor had believed that unwed young men made better soldiers, and subsequently outlawed marriage for them. This left many young couples in

The post The History of Valentine’s Day appeared first on Factual Facts.

Posted on

The History of Boxing Day

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th, taking place after Christmas Day. In Ireland, it is also known as Saint Stephen’s Day and in other European countries such as Hungary, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, it is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day. Where did Boxing Day come from? Today, nobody is certain as to why the day is celebrated. The day originated in Britain and is why it is still celebrated in former British controlled areas. The origins of the day remain unclear but there are a variety of reasons behind it. One suggests that it was the

The post The History of Boxing Day appeared first on Factual Facts.

Posted on

Where did the saying “break a leg” come from?

Break a leg is an idiom. An expression or phrase that has a figurative meaning i.e. the meaning is not to be taken literally.  This idiom is traditionally used in theatre and means good luck. What is the origin of “break a leg”? Some scholars believe the term originated from Ancient Greece, where instead of clapping for performers after a production, the audience would stomp their legs to show their appreciation. This meant that a performance was well received and that the continual stomping would eventually lead to someone breaking their leg. Others believe it originated from the Elizabethan practice

The post Where did the saying “break a leg” come from? appeared first on Factual Facts.

Posted on

Eremophobia: The Fear of Being Alone

Eremophobia is defined as the excessive or irrational fear towards solitude or the irrational fear of being alone. It is also known as Autophobia, which is a broader term for the fear of isolation, fear of being egotistical or the dread or anxiety of being alone.  Eremophobia is linked with agoraphobia and other social phobias, though in this case, the fear is not of people themselves, it is the idea that the person will be left alone/abandoned. What causes Eremophobia? In most cases, the condition is derived from past traumatic experiences, normally stemming from childhood. For example, if a child

The post Eremophobia: The Fear of Being Alone appeared first on Factual Facts.

Posted on

Didaskaleinophobia: A Fear of Going to School

Schools are typically meant to be an education institution for children, where they are taught a variety of subjects to help them develop and grow, as well as prepare them for adulthood. While it’s completely natural for kids to hate school, or perhaps just dislike it, Didaskaleinophobia is actually having a fear of going to school in the first place. It is said that as many as 2 to 5% of school children suffer from this phobia and is most commonly found in the 4-6-year-old age group. Like many phobias, Didaskaleinophobia presents various symptoms in children, which are often helpful

The post Didaskaleinophobia: A Fear of Going to School appeared first on Factual Facts.