Before the creation of synthetic plastics, patent leather was made by glazing animal hides with layers of resin-based varnish. The coating protected items like boots and carriage parts from wear and ...

Peggy isn’t the only seemingly random sobriquet for Margaret. There’s also Daisy, which, like Peggy, turns out to have a pretty simple explanation: Marguerite is French for “daisy.” French parents ...

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Japan’s geisha are experts in their field, but they’re often treated like tourist attractions. See why Kyoto officials have had to crack down on tourist photos.

The gas station doesn’t know how much fuel you’re going to buy when you pay at the pump. To make sure you have enough funds ...

From pop royalty to prog-rock gods, here are the household names who decided against showing up to the pop cultural ...

The term ball peen hammer first saw print in 1874, when a mechanic’s dictionary referred to it as a “metal worker’s hammer ...

If city lights block the stars over your backyard, this map can help you hunt down the darkest skies for epic stargazing.

Remember Chuck E. Cheese? He’s back with arcades aimed at grown-ups featuring classic games, collectibles, and throwback ...

Modern medicine is a marvel, with cutting-edge treatments and technologies able to prevent, treat, and even cure a litany of ...

Beyond trying to set the record straight, they responded in unexpected ways, from showing off their good sense humor to ...

Beyond any ties to folklore or pest control, haint blue ceilings are often considered simply beautiful. The soft hue mimics ...