We say “pardon my French” after swearing because in the 19th century, English-speaking people would drop French phrases into conversation to display class, apologizing because many of their listeners wouldn’t know the language. Then people hid swear words under the pretense of them being French.
Only two groups of people in Sparta could have their names inscribed…
Only two groups of people in Sparta could have their names inscribed on their tombstones: women who died in childbirth and men who fell in combat.
In 19th century England, a man by the name of Jack Black was an expert…
In 19th century England, a man by the name of Jack Black was an expert rat catcher. When he caught rats of unusual colour, he would breed them and sell the well bred rats to nobility. Even Queen Victoria kept a pet rat or two.
People in the Mongolian Empire did not believe in washing…
People in the Mongolian Empire did not believe in washing themselves or their clothes, wearing the same clothes until they literally rotted off.
Upon landing in England, William the Conqueror slipped and…
Upon landing in England, William the Conqueror slipped and fell; to play it cool he grasped two fistfuls of soil and proclaimed ‘England is ours!’
Alexander the Great held a drinking contest among his soldiers. When…
Alexander the Great held a drinking contest among his soldiers. When it was over, 42 people had died from alcohol poisoning.
In 539BC, Persian King Cyrus the Great issued the first ever decree…
In 539BC, Persian King Cyrus the Great issued the first ever decree on human rights. He freed slaves, declared that all people had the right to choose their own religion, and established racial equality.
More than 60% of the Confederacy’s war finance came from printing money…
More than 60% of the Confederacy’s war finance came from printing money, which, along with bad military news, caused prices to increase 92 times over in the South during the American Civil War.
Ancient Romans used ammonia from urine to wash togas in a manner…
Ancient Romans used ammonia from urine to wash togas in a manner similar to modern day dry cleaning, and the collection of urine was taxed.
The Red carpet culture dates back to ancient Greece. Earliest mention…
The Red carpet culture dates back to ancient Greece. Earliest mention being in the play Agamemnon, where the “Crimson path” was to signify the stature, as it was luxury fit only for the gods.