curiosities

This Man’s Tongue Turned Black And Hairy Following A Paralyzing Stroke That Forced Him To Change His Diet

Known as lingua villosa nigra or "black hairy tongue," the condition is caused by a failure to scrape away the dead skin cells from the top of the tongue.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 15, 2022

News

This Man’s Tongue Turned Black And Hairy Following A Paralyzing Stroke That Forced Him To Change His Diet

Known as lingua villosa nigra or "black hairy tongue," the condition is caused by a failure to scrape away the dead skin cells from the top of the tongue.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 15, 2022

The Terrifying True Story Of The Winchester Mystery House And The Tormented Heiress Who Built It

Over the course of 40 years, Sarah Winchester had the so-called Winchester Mansion built in San Jose to her bizarre specifications — in order to appease the ghosts she thought were haunting her.

By Katie Serena • Mar 11, 2022

The Terrifying True Story Of The Winchester Mystery House And The Tormented Heiress Who Built It

Over the course of 40 years, Sarah Winchester had the so-called Winchester Mansion built in San Jose to her bizarre specifications — in order to appease the ghosts she thought were haunting her.

By Katie Serena • March 11, 2022

The Descendants Of An Enslaved Man Named West Ford Say They Have Proof That George Washington Was His Father

When Venus, an enslaved woman who worked on the plantation of George Washington's brother, was asked to name the father of her child West Ford, she "identified the old general."

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 9, 2022

News

The Descendants Of An Enslaved Man Named West Ford Say They Have Proof That George Washington Was His Father

When Venus, an enslaved woman who worked on the plantation of George Washington's brother, was asked to name the father of her child West Ford, she "identified the old general."

By Kaleena Fraga • March 9, 2022

Inside Breatharianism, The Bizarre Belief That Humans Don’t Need Food Or Water To Survive

Also known as inedia, breatharianism is a pseudoscientific practice promoted by gurus who insist that they can live off "pranic light" — which is contained in the air.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 8, 2022

Inside Breatharianism, The Bizarre Belief That Humans Don’t Need Food Or Water To Survive

Also known as inedia, breatharianism is a pseudoscientific practice promoted by gurus who insist that they can live off "pranic light" — which is contained in the air.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 8, 2022

Why Viking Helmets Were Far Different From What You Think They Are

The Viking helmet is usually depicted with horns, but the Norse warriors really never wore them.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 7, 2022

Why Viking Helmets Were Far Different From What You Think They Are

The Viking helmet is usually depicted with horns, but the Norse warriors really never wore them.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 7, 2022

Who Invented The Toilet? Inside The Surprisingly Complicated History

While Thomas Crapper gets most of the credit due to his 19th-century innovations, the real story of who invented the first flush toilet is much more controversial than most people realize.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 7, 2022

Who Invented The Toilet? Inside The Surprisingly Complicated History

While Thomas Crapper gets most of the credit due to his 19th-century innovations, the real story of who invented the first flush toilet is much more controversial than most people realize.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 7, 2022

The Infamous Story Of Frances Farmer, Hollywood’s Original Bad Girl

Notorious for her drunken exploits and various stints at mental health facilities, Frances Farmer was subjected to a slew of dark rumors — but here’s the truth about her story.

By Elisabeth Sherman • Feb 21, 2022

The Infamous Story Of Frances Farmer, Hollywood’s Original Bad Girl

Notorious for her drunken exploits and various stints at mental health facilities, Frances Farmer was subjected to a slew of dark rumors — but here’s the truth about her story.

By Elisabeth Sherman • February 21, 2022

In The Wake Of Nuclear Disaster, Animals Are Thriving In The Red Forest Of Chernobyl

From elk to boars to dogs, Chernobyl's animals have found an unexpected haven for wildlife in the Red Forest of the Exclusion Zone.

By Erin Kelly • Feb 18, 2022

In The Wake Of Nuclear Disaster, Animals Are Thriving In The Red Forest Of Chernobyl

From elk to boars to dogs, Chernobyl's animals have found an unexpected haven for wildlife in the Red Forest of the Exclusion Zone.

By Erin Kelly • February 18, 2022

Grisly 18th-Century Love Note Sewn With Human Hair To Be Displayed At London Museum

Anna Maria Radclyffe likely embroidered the message with the hair of her husband, James Radclyffe, who was executed in 1716 for rebelling against the King of England.

By Kaleena Fraga • Feb 16, 2022

Weird News

Grisly 18th-Century Love Note Sewn With Human Hair To Be Displayed At London Museum

Anna Maria Radclyffe likely embroidered the message with the hair of her husband, James Radclyffe, who was executed in 1716 for rebelling against the King of England.

By Kaleena Fraga • February 16, 2022

Discover The Manchineel Tree, The Plant So Toxic That Its Nickname Is The ‘Tree Of Death’

Found in tropical places like the Florida Everglades, the manchineel tree is a flowering spurge plant that is packed with poison — from its fruit to its bark and sap.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Feb 15, 2022

Discover The Manchineel Tree, The Plant So Toxic That Its Nickname Is The ‘Tree Of Death’

Found in tropical places like the Florida Everglades, the manchineel tree is a flowering spurge plant that is packed with poison — from its fruit to its bark and sap.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • February 15, 2022