What is spintax?

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 following the concert. omg i luv her sm i rlly hope she takes this off the setlist if she needs to pic.twitter.com/s5501Aavwd— blake | alicia stan | saw ffh 🏳️‍🌈 (@thnkusabrina) July 7, 2019 One… Read More

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 of Paul Verhoeven’s masterpiece missed the mark almost completely, instead focusing on the emotional journey of the robotic police officer. It also just didn’t feel like Robocop with the PG-13 rating and the modern-day effects… Read More

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 after examining one under a microscope, was inspired to design a fastener that had the similar rough hooks on one side and loops on the other. It took 14 years for de Mestral to perfect… Read More

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 Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, prompting some controversy over the casting decision. Born in Atlanta on March 27, 2000, Halle’s profile rose considerably when the Chloe x Halle cover of Beyoncé’s… Read More

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 Tunnels, Portland, Oregon. Portland was one of the most dangerous ports in the United States during the early 19th century and was the epicenter of an illicit maritime practice known as shanghaiing, which is a… Read More

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 fairly straightforward: Participants try to remove the cap from a bottle in extravagant ways, usually using martial-arts-style kicks. The challenge is particularly popular on Twitter and Instagram, and most videos are accompanied by #BottleCapChallenge. It… Read More

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 Cube. Now the most popular puzzle toy in the world according to the National Toy Hall of Fame, the Rubik’s Cube had an accidental origin. Teaching at the Academy of Applied Arts and Crafts in… Read More

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 to revel in the attention, others avoid services like Twitter and Instagram entirely. While we couldn’t write an exhaustive list of every celebrity who avoids social media, here are a few major names. Jennifer Lawrence… Read More

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 time to rework the iconic hedgehog’s design. “Thank you for the support. And the criticism. The message is loud and clear,” director Jeff Fowler wrote on Twitter. “You aren’t happy with the design & you… Read More

“My sister was left at the altar by my best mate, and I was best man, He met my sister through me, and they went out with each for two years and were engaged for a year before the big day.” “We're in the church, at the front, waiting for the bride with about 15 minutes to go. He says he needs the toilet and walks to the back of the church. A minute or… Read More

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 from 1968 to 1977? Here’s our answer. 1968: Hot Wheels. The brand name has nearly become synonymous with toy cars since Mattel debuted the line in the late 60s, but a lot of that success comes from how they differed from Matchbox, as their… Read More

The Olympic rings have been a powerful part of the international competition’s brand for nearly a century. Here’s how the Olympic charter describes the iconic symbol: “The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions (the Olympic rings), used alone, in one or in five different colours. When used in its five-colour version, these colours shall be, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The rings are interlaced from left… Read More

When humans need transfusions, they can usually get them easily, thanks to organizations like the Red Cross that sponsor blood drives across the country. Animals also regularly need transfusions, but finding appropriate donors can be much more difficult. Generally speaking, veterinarians are responsible for finding their own sources, and to keep their supplies consistent, they’ll often rely on a few reliable donor animals. These are often pets belonging to the clinic’s staff. When donors aren’t… Read More

“The greatest year in movie history” is a hotly debated topic, especially with excellent years in recent times. There’s an argument to be made for any year, but here’s our answer for why it’s got to be 1982. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Not much can be said about Steven Spielberg’s timeless story of a young boy who befriends an alien from outer space that hasn’t been said already. Smashing into the box office on June 11… Read More

Below are several facts about the Star Spangled Banner. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner in 1814. The tradition of singing the Star Spangled Banner at sport games started during WWII. In 1931, The SSB was designated the national anthem by Congress. British attacks on Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem. The poem was set to music composed by John Stafford Smith. The song has 4 verses.

Burger King is rolling out the meatless Impossible Whopper in several states, providing a new fast-food option for casual vegetarians (more on that “casual" descriptor in a moment). Eventually, every Burger King will likely offer the Impossible Whopper, since the burger has sold relatively well in test markets and has elevated the Burger King brand. Unlike many vegetarian burgers, the Impossible Whopper is designed to taste like real meat—and some tasters claim it achieves that… Read More

Actor Keanu Reeves has experienced something of a resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to the success of the John Wick film franchise (Reeves plays the titular character). The latest installment, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, had a positive critical reception and has grossed over $156 million as of June 23, 2019. However, lots of Hollywood actors make successful movies, and that doesn’t account for all of Reeves' internet fame. Reeves has become… Read More

Rapper Lil Xan made headlines in September 2018 when he claimed he spent a night in the hospital due to an overdose of Flamin' Hot Cheetos. In a now-deleted Instagram video, he detailed his unusual medical issue (and a quick warning, this gets a little gross). "I was in the hospital, not doing any drugs, but I guess I ate, uh, too many Hot Cheetos and it ... ripped something in my stomach open, so… Read More

The entertainment business is all about fantasy, so it makes sense that stars would tweak their names to make a statement. Here are a few of our faves. Stevie Wonder went through a few names before he settled on his legendary moniker. He was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins, and later changed his name to Stevland Hardaway Morris, but we'll always know him as Stevie Wonder. Believe it or not, Bruno Mars is a stage name… Read More

When Taylor Swift releases a song, the internet immediately begins buzzing, and the April 26, 2019 release of “ME!” was no different. The song, which features guest vocals from Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco, seems like a joyous self affirmation, but some of the lyrics are clearly directed toward someone specific. Some of those lyrics: "Baby doll, when it comes to a lover I promise that you'll never find another like me I'm… Read More

Syndication Sensation. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was the very first cartoon in the United States to go straight to syndication and air on weekday afternoons, instead of the industry-standard of Saturday mornings. Voice Acting Challenges. Alan Oppenheimer, the prolific voice actor who played several recurring roles on the show, including Skeletor, Man-At-Arms, and the dual role of Cringer and Battle Cat, was usually given lines by his various characters in quick succession… Read More

The epic Western miniseries Lonesome Dove was a smash hit with both audiences and critics alike when it debuted on CBS in 1989. Here’s a collection of interesting facts about this legendary production. Tommy Lee rides for real. Tommy Lee Jones, who portrayed Woodrow F. Call, owns a ranch in Texas, breeding horses and cattle, so he completely refused to use a stunt double for any of the riding scenes. Speaking of real riding scenes… Read More

My fatigued eyes burn as I stare into the bright screen, which is balanced on my lap. I quickly open five different browsers and begin the arduous task of working from home with a newborn, five days after delivery. I wince as I shift from side to side, grimacing when I realize that I forgot to take my medicine an hour ago. I'm sure most of you have either gone through this same situation or… Read More

The Beverly Hillbillies, one of the most popular American sitcom television shows of all time, had quite a bit going on behind the scenes. Here are some of the more interesting facts about the making of this classic program. The ironically free story of the richest family from the countryside. The entire first season of The Beverly Hillbillies and the first nineteen episodes of the second season are actually in the public domain, which means… Read More

The GIF is one of the most popular image formats on the internet, and most people are fairly confident that they know how to pronounce it. However, there are actually two common pronunciations: “giff,” with a hard “G” sound (like “gift”), and “jiff,” with a soft “G” sound (like the peanut butter brand). In recent years, the war over the correct pronunciation has become quite heated. Steve Wilhite, the inventor of the format, gave his… Read More

Americans have been arguing over the federal minimum wage since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Today, as then, perspectives generally coalesce around one of two arguments: Opponents of a higher minimum wage say a government-mandated wage floor will place an unfair burden on the businesses that pay workers. No one gets paid when an employer can’t afford wages, they say. Meanwhile, proponents of raising… Read More

If I had to pick one question that I get asked most often by my patients it would be, "Am I ready for a relationship?" Week after week I sit with forlorn and lovesick people who are desperate to find love and terrified that they never will. The inquiring minds on my couch want to know: Can I trust my judgment? Will I pick the wrong person and get hurt? Am I lovable? Will I… Read More

By all straightforward definitions, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is pizza. It has a crust, sauce, and (lots of) cheese, so it certainly meets the traditional requirements-and, more to the point, it's marketed as pizza. If restaurants call something "pizza" and customers agree, it's pizza. With that said, there's a heated debate as to whether Chicago-style deep dish is a good representation of what pizza should be, and that's a more difficult question to address. As Meredith… Read More

It's humbling to find out we've been doing a very simple thing wrong our entire lives. Still, it's better late than never when realizing the error of our ways. The proper way to shower is simple, but it's not necessarily intuitive. Here are six mistakes you could make if you're not paying close attention. Not exfoliating your skin. Simply rubbing body wash on your skin or using a wash rag does not provide the exfoliation… Read More

He awakens with her on his mental. First thing in the morning, you think he's about to drape his arm across you to snuggle, but naw. He's merely reaching over you for his device, charging on the nightstand beside you. She's his default. YOU'RE the distraction. He basks in her blue magnetism so frequently during your "quality time" that you feel like the side piece. When you strike up conversation, you get the distinct feeling… Read More

Dan McGwire - 16th overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 1991 McGwire is the younger brother of Major League Baseball's legendary slugger Mark McGwire. To refresh your memory, Dan was a 6'8" quarterback coming out of San Diego State University where he threw for 3,883 yards and 27 touchdowns in 1990. He barely saw any action his rookie season, then his second season was demoted to third string behind Stan Gelbaugh and Kelly Stouffer… Read More

Alabama: Gadsden Gadsden is the most unhealthy city in one of the country's least healthy states. In this city, almost one in every three people are obese. Alaska: Anchorage Out of the two metropolitan areas in Alaska, Anchorage is the least healthy of the two. However, Anchorage is actually pretty healthy compared to the rest of the country. Arizona: Lake Havasu City-Kingman Residents of this city are more likely to smoke and less likely to… Read More

Get Out was written and directed by Jordan Peele, and it was both a critical and commercial success. Many positive reviews mentioned the film's insightful social commentary, so some viewers mistakenly believe that the movie was the first horror film directed by an African American. That's certainly not the case. African Americans have a rich history in cinema, and over the last century, quite a few black directors have created masterful horrors and thrillers. As… Read More

She-Ra’s Origins. The spin-off of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, this show was designed a bit differently than its predecessor. While the first show was based off of the Masters of the Universe toy line by Mattel, She-Ra: Princess of Power was designed in collaboration between the toymaker and Filmation Associates, who animated both shows. She-Ra’s target audience was a young female crowd to compliment the young male viewers of He-Man. However, She-Ra… Read More

Warning: This answer contains Game of Thrones spoilers. While Game of Thrones isn't exactly a historical drama--it features dragons, zombies, mages, and various other supernatural elements--many of its story points were inspired by historical events. Like many fantasy novelists, writer George R.R. Martin uses real-life parallels to give his stories some extra weight, and judging by Game of Thrones' ratings and book sales, it's an effective technique. One of the most infamous moments from the… Read More

Sharpen your knife before cutting. This is, by far, the most effective way to avoid crying while cutting onions. Using a sharp knife limits the damage to the cells of the onion, so fewer gases get released. Basically, you're making cleaner cuts, so even if you finely chop the onion, you probably won't start weeping. However, you need a really, really sharp knife for this to work effectively. Ideally, you'll also add in some of… Read More

To access to the iPhone's hidden emoji menu, you'll have to add a new keyboard. Don't worry--it's a fairly simple process, and it won't prevent you from using your standard keyboard. These instructions are accurate for iOS version 12. Start by heading over to your Settings app. Tap General, then Keyboards. Here, you'll have to tap on Keyboards one more time. Look to see if you've already got a keyboard called "Emoji." If so, you've… Read More

E3 2019 has finally transpired, and all the big names in gaming have shown the world what they’re working on. What were the best moments from this year’s E3? Here’s our answer. Marvel’s Avengers Gameplay Trailer. Essentially nothing had been shown of Square Enix’s take on the incredibly popular superhero team before this point, but the trailer gave us a short, yet in-depth look at what’s to come. This story-driven co-op game will feature favorite… Read More

That depends on the type of prank that appeals to you, but in 2019, there were plenty of great examples. For April Fool's Day, businesses often announce hoax products via social media, hoping to catch consumers off guard (and capture a bit of viral traffic along the way). Of course, some are more successful than others. This year, dating site Tinder created substantial controversy by introducing a new "height verification badge." The idea: Weed out… Read More

As soon as the St. Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup, fans began blasting Laura Branigan’s 1982 single “Gloria" from the rooftops. The song has been emblematic of the Blues during their unlikely championship run. Here’s where it started: On Jan. 6, 2019, Blues players Joel Edmundson, Alexander Steen, Jaden Schwartz, Robby Fabbri, and Robert Bortuzzo went to Philadelphia to watch the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles compete in the NFL’s NFC Wild Card… Read More

You need to use the Animoji menu. To use Animoji, you need an iPhone X or newer. Open the Messages app, then start a conversation (or open an existing conversation). Tap the Animoji button--it looks like a monkey. The phone will pull up a bunch of Animojis, but that's not what we're after. Tap the “plus" icon on the left of the Animoji choices. Here, you'll be able to create your custom emoji; you can… Read More

The St Louis Blues won their first Stanley Cup in 2019. The Blues won in game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoff Final on June 12th 2019. The final score was 4-1 in favor of the St Louis Blues. This was St Louis' first Stanley Cup Trophy win in the history of their franchise. 2019 Playoff MVP Ryan O’Reilly won the Playoff MVP also known as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner. This was in large… Read More

Quietly, while you weren't looking, one of the deepest questions in human history has been answered. It happened on Twitter, of course. Where else? Chances are you have a strong opinion on this subject. You've probably fought with someone close about it. And now, at long last, a clear victor has emerged. This news comes to us from Owen Williams, who seems to be more-or-less a normal guy. (His Twitter bio says he likes "learning… Read More

No, Beyoncé was not pregnant during Coachella in 2018. In the past, she has performed while pregnant, but that's not the reason her Coachella set made such an impression on fans and critics. A bit of background: In 2017, Beyoncé was announced as one of Coachella's headliners, but she postponed her set for a year. At the time, she was pregnant with twins (Rumi and Suri, born on June 13, 2017, about two months after… Read More

The #YangGang hashtag is used to express support for 2020 Democratic candidate Andrew Yang. The 44-year-old Asian American businessman announced his candidacy back on Nov. 6, 2017, and his relatively unconventional platform appeals to many younger voters. His central issue is the creation of the “Freedom Dividend,” a universal basic income that would provide every American adult with $1,000 per month. Yang, a successful technology entrepreneur, believes that the rise of artificial intelligence and automation… Read More

The modern bikini was invented in 1946, but swimsuits resembling the bikini appeared much earlier. A Sicilian mosaic dating from the fourth century A.D. called Coronation of the Winner shows women wearing garments remarkably similar to the modern bikini. The women appear to be exercising, and they’re receiving crowns of flowers—which likely indicates that they’ve recently won sporting events. While we can’t date the artwork definitively, it clearly predates the modern bikini by over a… Read More

SB 277 removed personal belief exemptions to vaccination requirements that allowed (or prevented) entry to California schools and daycare centers. To put that another way, the bill requires children who attend school to receive certain vaccinations, regardless of their personal beliefs (or the beliefs of their parents). The bill passed in 2015 and was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. “The science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious… Read More

Notre-Dame de Paris was substantially damaged on April 15, 2019, but officials believe that a full reconstruction is possible. While the church’s structure is mostly intact, its 300-foot spire was destroyed dramatically (this was actually the cathedral’s second spire, as its first was lost between 1786 and 1792). The building’s wood roof is completely lost, along with 13,000 oak beams dating back to the 12th century. The building likely sustained water damage during the rescue… Read More