curiosities

‘Pecunia Non Olet’: How A Roman Emperor Revived The Government With A Urine Tax

"Pecunia non olet" — or "money doesn't stink" — is a phrase ascribed to the Roman emperor Vespasian, who in 70 A.D. imposed a urine tax.

By Carly Silver • Jul 2, 2019

‘Pecunia Non Olet’: How A Roman Emperor Revived The Government With A Urine Tax

"Pecunia non olet" — or "money doesn't stink" — is a phrase ascribed to the Roman emperor Vespasian, who in 70 A.D. imposed a urine tax.

By Carly Silver • July 2, 2019

Meet The Entelodont, The Horse-Sized “Hell Pig” Whose Teeth Were As Thick As A Human Wrist

Weighing in at 2,000 pounds and sporting arm-sized fangs, the entelodont earned its status as the "hell pig" of prehistoric North America.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 24, 2019

Meet The Entelodont, The Horse-Sized “Hell Pig” Whose Teeth Were As Thick As A Human Wrist

Weighing in at 2,000 pounds and sporting arm-sized fangs, the entelodont earned its status as the "hell pig" of prehistoric North America.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 24, 2019

Meet Rosalie Jean Willis: The Woman Charles Manson Tried To Lead A Normal Life With

Charles Manson's first wife, Rosalie Jean Willis, seemed doomed from the get-go. All three of her children died before she did — while Charles Manson lived to see old age.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 15, 2019

Meet Rosalie Jean Willis: The Woman Charles Manson Tried To Lead A Normal Life With

Charles Manson's first wife, Rosalie Jean Willis, seemed doomed from the get-go. All three of her children died before she did — while Charles Manson lived to see old age.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 15, 2019

Startup To Launch Rentable, App-Enabled Pogo Stick Business In San Francisco

"Cangoroo and our pogo sticks offer a quicker alternative to walking, a more convenient alternative to having a bicycle, and a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars and e-scooters."

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 4, 2019

Weird News

Startup To Launch Rentable, App-Enabled Pogo Stick Business In San Francisco

"Cangoroo and our pogo sticks offer a quicker alternative to walking, a more convenient alternative to having a bicycle, and a more environmentally friendly alternative to cars and e-scooters."

By Marco Margaritoff • June 4, 2019

Meet William Moulton Marston: The Man Who Invented The Lie Detector And Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman was first printed in December 1941 and was inspired by her creator, Dr. William Moulton Marston's, wife and lover.

By Andrew Milne • May 21, 2019

Meet William Moulton Marston: The Man Who Invented The Lie Detector And Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman was first printed in December 1941 and was inspired by her creator, Dr. William Moulton Marston's, wife and lover.

By Andrew Milne • May 21, 2019

Notes Of 17th-Century Astrology Doctors Reveal Gross Pseudo-Treatments

The patient notes of pseudo-astrology doctors Simon Forman and Richard Napier had mostly remained illegible (and certainly ineffective)—until now.

By Natasha Ishak • May 17, 2019

Weird News

Notes Of 17th-Century Astrology Doctors Reveal Gross Pseudo-Treatments

The patient notes of pseudo-astrology doctors Simon Forman and Richard Napier had mostly remained illegible (and certainly ineffective)—until now.

By Natasha Ishak • May 17, 2019

42 Laughable Beauty Trends You’ll Be Glad Went Out Of Fashion

From mechanical bulls and "portable" saunas to vibrating belts and "slimming" machines, these fads were utterly bizarre.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 16, 2019

42 Laughable Beauty Trends You’ll Be Glad Went Out Of Fashion

From mechanical bulls and "portable" saunas to vibrating belts and "slimming" machines, these fads were utterly bizarre.

By Marco Margaritoff • May 16, 2019

27 Interesting Facts About William Shakespeare The Bard Probably Wouldn’t Want You To Know About

These interesting facts about William Shakespeare will change everything you thought you knew about the infamous bard.

By Laura Martisiute • May 10, 2019

27 Interesting Facts About William Shakespeare The Bard Probably Wouldn’t Want You To Know About

These interesting facts about William Shakespeare will change everything you thought you knew about the infamous bard.

By Laura Martisiute • May 10, 2019

33 Facts About Canada That Reveal The Country Of Human Toe Cocktails And Bathtub Races

These fun facts about Canada present a country much more eclectic — and weirder — than you may have ever thought.

By Leah Silverman • May 9, 2019

33 Facts About Canada That Reveal The Country Of Human Toe Cocktails And Bathtub Races

These fun facts about Canada present a country much more eclectic — and weirder — than you may have ever thought.

By Leah Silverman • May 9, 2019

Remains Of Deformed “Elephant Man” Found In An Unmarked London Grave

"The Elephant Man" was a tragic Victorian sideshow act. His skeleton was kept for research upon his death but the location of the rest of his remains was unknown until now.

By Natasha Ishak • May 6, 2019

News

Remains Of Deformed “Elephant Man” Found In An Unmarked London Grave

"The Elephant Man" was a tragic Victorian sideshow act. His skeleton was kept for research upon his death but the location of the rest of his remains was unknown until now.

By Natasha Ishak • May 6, 2019