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CLASSIC: The Cock Lane Ghost: Haunting, Hoax, Hysteria… or Hilarious?
In 1762, crowds from across London gathered in hopes of seeing something the papers called "The Cock Lane Ghost". This alleged spirit was known to co…
1 year, 2 months ago
CLASSIC: Roland the Farter and the Weird World of Professional Flatulence
Regardless of what polite societies often want us to believe, everyone farts. And we fart often! And, believe it or not, a few rare individuals have …
1 year, 2 months ago
CLASSIC: Gregor MacGregor Invented a Country and Convinced People to Invest in It
When His Serene Highness Gregor the First, Sovereign Prince of the State of Poyais and its Dependencies, and Cacique of the Poyer nation visited Lond…
1 year, 2 months ago
CLASSIC: Angry Feds and Deadly Booze: The Story of the Chemists' War
From 1920 to 1933, the U.S. government attempted to ban (recreational) alcohol throughout the nation. In a stunning -- we're being sarcastic here -- …
1 year, 2 months ago
We're Late for the April Fools' Episode
Have you ever fallen for an April Fools' Day gag? Across the world, millions of people pull (hopefully wholesome) pranks on each other every April 1s…
1 year, 2 months ago
The Ridiculous History of Vending Machines
Pretty much everyone in the developed world is familiar with vending machines these days -- you see them in all sorts of places, selling all sorts of…
1 year, 2 months ago
CLASSIC: Fanny and Stella: The Cross-Dressing Scandal of Victorian England
In April of 1870, a shocking court case captivated Victorian England: Fanny and Stella, also known as Frederick Park and Ernest Boulton, were arreste…
1 year, 3 months ago
Badass of the Week, with Ben Thompson - Part 2: the Battle of Karánsebes
As Europe increasingly freaks out about the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, a ragtag crew of guys who ordinarily hate each other band together for c…
1 year, 3 months ago
Badass of the Week, with Ben Thompson - Part 1: History's Most Ridiculous Friendly-fire Incident
War has always been a chaotic, messy endeavor -- and, sometimes, it's downright ridiculous. In this week's special two-part series, the guys welcome …
1 year, 3 months ago
CLASSIC: That Time Kansas Imprisoned Women For Having STDs
At the close of World War I, American soldiers returned home from abroad with scars, wounds, stories and, in some cases, infections of which their ro…
1 year, 3 months ago