Carl Pettit
Strange But True — It’s Illegal to Jump Off a Building in New York City
There are a lot of crazy laws out there that don’t make a lot of sense at first glance. One such law is a statute in New York against jumping off of a building more than 50 feet tall. And what’s the penalty for such an infraction?
What’s the Real Story Behind the Phrase ‘Cutting Through the Red Tape’?
When you have to ‘cut through the red tape,’ it means your have to slog through lots of bureaucratic mud in order to achieve the goals you set out to achieve.
How did tape — colored tape at that — come to represent the headaches that mounds of paperwork, unpleasant clerks and by-the-book functionaries cause us when we’re trying to get something done?
The Real Story Behind Throwing Rice at Weddings
When a newly married couple exits a church, a synagogue, a courthouse or wherever they’ve just tied the knot, people often shower them with rice (not the sticky kind, of course). Most of us have seen this in the movies or in real life.
If you’re wondering how this grain-throwing tradition came about, don’t fret. We’re going to tell you.
The Real Story Behind the Merry-Go-Round
One of the first rides parents usually let kids enjoy by themselves is the gentle horse carousel, or merry-go-round. Carousels, which seem very safe and wholesome, have drawn families in for years. For many of us, they bring back fond childhood memories.
But how did they first come into our lives?
The Real Story Behind Zombies – Ant Zombies, That Is [VIDEO]
For fans of the AMC show ‘The Walking Dead,’ and everything having to do with zombies, take heart. Zombies really do exist in the natural world, and they’re a terrible menace — to our little friends, the ants.
The Real Story Behind the Phrase ‘Break a Leg’
When you tell someone to “break a leg,” you’re not referring to the literal sense, unless you secretly get the utmost satisfaction over watching that person fail. Breaking a leg hurts a lot, which makes it all the more curious as to why this particular phrase became associated with wishing someone good luck.
The Real Story Behind the Term ‘Red Herring’
If you’ve ever read a detective or spy novel, you‘re probably familiar with the term ‘red herring.’ A red herring is a clue or some piece of evidence that intentionally leads the investigator, or the reader, further away from the truth.
So, how exactly did this term come into existence?
What’s the Real Story Behind April Fool’s Day?
It’s that time of year again, when you have to watch out for tricksters. April Fool’s Day is the perfect excuse for any prankster in your immediate area to practice his or her craft.
So, what’s the real story behind the origins of this, um, ‘holiday?’ Well, it’s no joke — there are many possible explanations.
The Real Story Behind the Phrase ‘As Pleased As Punch’
If your best friend sidles up to you and tells you that he or she is “as pleased as punch,” then you know that person is very pleased indeed.
But how did this phrase come into being in the first place?
What’s the Real Story Behind the Term ‘Freelancer?’
For a lot of people these days, the job market is still a pretty gloomy affair. Temporary jobs, part-time work and freelancing have all been on the rise. Well, for those of you who make your bread and butter by freelancing, you can take heart. You’re in the company of proud, if somewhat immoral, warriors.
What’s the Real Story Behind the Phrase ‘Pardon My French?’
When you tell someone, “please pardon my French,” you are in fact apologizing for your offensive language. When French people speak French, they don’t say, “pardon my English” when they want to cuss someone out.
So what’s going on here? Do the French have better curse words than we do?
Where Is It Illegal in the US for Men to Wear Strapless Dresses?
It all starts the same — you and your buddies are pounding down beers at your favorite bar, and before you know it, you’re running down the street in your girlfriend’s dress while your friends are passed out on the sidewalk. It may be fun to party real hard like this sometimes, but it’s actually illegal to replicate this scenario somewhere in the US… the dress part, anyway.