Here’s the basic process. After you’ve got this down, we’ll look at a few ways to influence the outcome of the coin flip. Step One - Make your hand into a fist, wedging your thumb against your index finger or…
Sometimes, but not typically. The film’s producer makes that decision. Many film productions outsource it to a motion graphics company like Scarlet Letters, which claims to be the number one company in the world specializing in end titles. The company…
The answer depends on the type of shuffle you use. With a bit of math, we can determine that a brand-new deck will be effectively randomized after seven traditional (or “riffle") shuffles. First, a quick definition of a riffle shuffle…
Apple’s position is that the headphone jack is an old technology, and that its removal allows the company to produce better phones with more features. Specifically, the removal of the headphone jack allows Apple engineers to do more with the…
We’re not here to talk about your Windsors, Half-Windsors, Prince Alberts, or Kelvins. No, we’re here to show off some of the craziest necktie fastenings out there so you can really step up your tie game. Check out this diverse…
You can eat most foods after their expiration date, but dozens of factors can affect food spoilage. Contrary to popular belief, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require manufacturers to list an “expiration,” “use by,” or “sell by" date…
Imagine a world where drought-ridden areas can get the rain they need, on demand. A place where airports can eliminate dangerous fog that could potentially lock thousands of passengers on land and compromise the safety of those in the air…
To put it simply, you want lemonade mixes to taste good, and you want furniture polish to actually clean your stuff. First, one issue with the question: Some furniture polishes don’t use lemon, even if they’re advertised as “lemon scented.”…
Yes, you can be friends with an ex. Whether or not that's a good idea depends on your personality, your ex's personality, the nature of your relationship, and a host of other factors. For many people, the idea of staying…
No. Equifax will issue payouts to those affected by the company’s 2017 data breach who file a claim, but the amount of those payouts will be much, much less than $125. Here’s the deal: In July 2019, Equifax reached a…
If you hold your face like that, it’ll get stuck that way. At least, that’s what your elementary school teacher probably told you. (Also, why were you pulling so many goofy faces when you were supposed to be focusing on…
You can call them whatever you’d like, as all three names are acceptable. However, if you’re trying to order them from a bakery, you might have better luck with one of these names, depending on where you’re at. First, a…
Not officially. While the United States planted a flag on the moon, the astronauts' intention wasn’t to claim ownership, and there’s actually an international treaty that forbids any country from claiming the moon (or other celestial bodies) as its own…
The short answer: Probably not, but most people still get the same emotional experience from looking at the same colors. To really address this question in detail, however, we need to consider two factors that affect how we see color…
Much like the question of whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich (it isn’t, really), the answer here depends on how you define the terms. Here’s the Merriam-Webster definition of soup: “A liquid food especially with a meat…
Can you believe it’s been nine years since the last Indiana Jones film came out? As much as we might wish to forget Shia LaBeouf swinging from vines amidst a family of monkeys, the reality is that Harrison Ford’s scruffy-faced…
Ever wonder where “brain freeze” comes from? What about the hiccups? How about goose bumps? While you might not spend much time thinking about these strange body phenomena, they’re fairly complex neurological events. In some cases, they serve important biological…
First of all, understand that your risk of a shark attack is incredibly small unless you purposely swim around sharks. Beaches can be dangerous places, but sharks aren’t a serious risk at most of them; according to the International Shark…
As of 2019, an F1 pit stop typically involves a tire change and a front wing adjustment. Up to 20 team members perform a perfectly choreographed set of actions to get the car back onto the track as quickly as…
The Brady Bunch In the episode "The Cincinnati Kids," the script called for the cast to be filmed riding a rollercoaster. However, the camera that was mounted at the front of the coaster looked loose to Robert Reed (aka Mike…
Both copyrights and trademarks protect intellectual property, but they differ in several significant ways: Usage - Per the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a copyright protects any original work “fixed in any tangible medium of expression.” That could include…
Čachtice Castle, Slovakia.In the early part of the 17th century, a Hungarian countess named Elizabeth Bathory was accused of murdering some 650 women across what is today known as Slovakia. Legend has it that Bathory's servants lured young women to…
The FaceApp mobile application does present some serious privacy concerns, based on a reading of its terms and conditions. However, it would be inaccurate to say that the app steals “all of your data,” or that it gives its developer…
The world lost another movie icon in Dutch actor and environmentalist Rutger Hauer at the age of 75. Known for his chilling delivering of dialogue, Hauer came to prominence in Hollywood films with his nuanced take on now classic villains…
In terms of magnitude, the largest earthquake ever measured in the United States occurred on March 27, 1964, in Alaska, registering a whopping 9.2 on the Richter scale. If you’re looking for more information, here’s a breakdown of the largest…
The primary difference between the Nintendo Switch Lite and the original Switch is that the Switch Lite is designed strictly for portable play. It cannot be docked or hooked up to an external screen, and its controls are a permanent…
There are many defining aspects of the James Bond film series, from the music, to the witty dialogue, to the incredible gadgets. Ranging from iconic to absurd, here’s some of the more memorable pieces of technology that 007 came in…
The “smithereens" in question are small pieces of something. The word entered the English language in the late 1700s, per Merriam-Webster. It probably comes from the Irish Gaelic smidiríní, which roughly translates to “little bits.” Usually, “smithereens" refers to the…
Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road" debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100, Hot Country, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, thanks in part to the rapper’s tireless self-promotion efforts. The song spread virally, but as it climbed the rankings, Billboard quietly removed…
Defined by muscle cars, ostentatious sports car designs, and turbochargers, the “Me” Decade is unforgettable for vehicle lovers out there. Here are our picks for the coolest cars of the 1970s. BMW 2002 Turbo. Although it wasn’t the first turbocharged…
They actually do have calories—for the most part, they’re the same oils you’d find in bottles on store shelves, along with propellants and a few other ingredients (which we’ll discuss in a moment). However, if you check the nutrition facts…
For starters, sales taxes are handled at the state and local levels. Five states don’t have sales taxes: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, Oregon, and New Hampshire. Some states have a high sales tax—currently, Tennessee leads the pack with a hefty 9.47…
It’s not just luck. Dozens of factors can affect mosquitoes' taste preferences—and make you a better-looking target during your next barbecue. Scientists disagree on the finer aspects of mosquito attraction, but here’s an overview of some of the factors that…
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, and it’s a phenomenon some people experience when exposed to certain auditory/visual stimuli. To put that in plain English, it’s a relaxing, tingling feeling that occurs when you watch certain videos or listen…
Australia has diverse and beautiful wildlife, but among those many creatures come many dangers. What animals should you avoid in the Land Down Under? Here’s our Answer. Common Lionfish With seventeen venomous fin spines, this gorgeous fish found all over…
Cameron Boyce was an American actor who was most famous for his starring roles in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie and the television movie franchise Descendants. He died on July 6, 2019, at the age of 20, after suffering an…
The quick answer: Nobody really knows for sure...however, there probably aren’t any aliens there. Nonetheless, we’ve got some information on the legendary site’s secrets. First, a quick primer: Area 51 is about 150 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada, and it’s…
Recently, Twitter went wild when Canadian comedian Seth Rogen started posting about his country’s favorite foods (including, uh, McDonald’s pizza). When I was a kid in Vancouver, McDonald’s had pizza, and on Tuesdays they had all you can eat pizza…
Ariana Grande fans expressed concern for the singer after she broke down in tears while singing “R.E.M.” during a July 6 concert in St. Louis, Missouri. Clips of the performance made the rounds on Twitter and Instagram, then went viral…
For several decades, Hollywood has been remaking many classic films, but there have been some major duds. What are the most unnecessary franchise reboots? Here is our Answer. Robocop (2014) Retaining none of the original’s biting satirical tone, 2014’s reboot…
Origins The name-brand fastener that has become a staple of many industries got its start in 1941, when Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral was walking his dog. He noticed that the both of them were covered in burrs, and…
Halle Bailey is an American musician and actress. She started her career with her sister, Chloe, performing cover songs on YouTube as a duo under the name Chloe x Halle. In July 2019, Disney announced that Halle would star as…
Many vintage homeowners and tourist attractions like to claim that they’re haunted, but that can be tough to prove. What are the truly scariest haunted places in the United States? Here is our Answer, counting down to #1. The Shanghai…
The Bottle Cap Challenge is a viral trend that started sometime in June 2019. While the origins of the trend are uncertain (though The New York Times credits taekwondo champion Farabi Davletchin with jump-starting the challenge), the feat itself is…
Come holiday season, many parents keep a close eye on toy trends to find the perfect gift for their child. What were some of the most hotly desired toys and gadgets during the 1980s? Here’s our answer. 1980: The Rubik’s…
When you’re famous, social media can feel especially intimidating—think of all of the stress that comes with maintaining your online persona, then think about how you’d feel if millions of fans were watching your every move. While some celebrities seem…
The movie was pushed back due to a negative reaction from online commenters. The film version of Sonic the Hedgehog was originally scheduled for release in November 2019, but it’s been pushed back to Feb. 14, 2020, to give designers…