The origins of mythical monsters can be hard to pin down, but it becomes even harder when people start describing different beings in interchangeable terms. Consider the case of the siren and the mermaid. Most people think they're the same, but honestly? They couldn't be more different.
Read MoreFor decades, the story of Kitty Genovese has served as a point of fascination to first-year sociology students, an example of the "bystander effect" to anyone cornered by said students at a party, and a finger-wagging expository homily to viewers of The Boondock Saints.
Read MoreColonel Tom Parker was a doughy human rabbit hole of shadowy weirdness. And he may even have been a murderer.
Read MoreGiovanni Aldnini had a question: If you can make a deceased frog dance, could you bring a deceased human back from death?
Read MoreThe Wright brothers -- Wilbur, born in 1867, and Orville, born in 1871 -- were best friends growing up. And they live to achieve some pretty remarkable things -- like flying. Here's how Wilbur died.
Read MoreSocks or spats, the patter of white paws across the room requires either a musical accompaniment or an appropriate choir of "awws." But why white? Surely any cat in the wild would shun such attire, opting instead for something more camouflaged. So where did all these white-footed cats come from?
Read MoreAh, zombies. The archetype of the shambling undead minion has left a meaty trail across the length and breadth of pop culture worldwide. But is zombification actually a thing? And if so, how does it happen?
Read MoreWe know that Viking berserkers wore a lot of fur, and were probably deep into hallucinogens. That's right -- the ultimate Germanic iron age warrior was basically just a light-up pacifier away from being EDM club trash.
Read MoreFor a long time, Keith Richards seemed to have a bone to pick with Prince.
Read MoreIt's hard to imagine what it must feel like to miss out on being in an iconic band.. It's a feeling that English singer-songwriter Stephen Duffy is familiar with, having departed from '80s new romantic staple Duran Duran in 1979 shortly before the band signed with EMI in 1980.
Read MoreHuman beings have been inhabiting Easter Island since somewhere around 400-700 CE. But something led to a collapse in its once balanced civilization.
Read MoreIn the context of the films, James Bond's backstory is intentionally murky. If he smacks of an aging man's power fantasy, though, there's a solid explanation.
Read MoreSting is rich. He has to be, after such a long time in the spotlight. More surprising than that, though, is how much he's worth ... and who's going to inherit it.
Read MoreJudas Priest's Painkiller tour ended poorly. Even though Rob Halford, as Ultimate Classic Rock enthused, had "never sounded more like a demented Dalek" on the album they were promoting.
Read MoreThe thing about ancient Egypt? If you're trying to figure out who the meanest ruler was, there's a lot of stiff competition.
Read MoreDillinger is one of those names that's become an archetype. Depression-era American criminal -- a gangster, a bank robber. Here's how he died.
Read MoreLife in ancient China was not easy for women.
Read MoreThough Bon Scott made AC/DC and recorded their first album with them, he wasn't their first singer. That obscured honor goes to Dave Evans.
Read MoreThe original series gave everyone the opportunity to be a detective/forensic psychologist/UFOlogist. Even if you weren't alive for the original, the reboot gives you the chance to rewrite a bit of history. Are you up to the challenge?
Read MoreAerosmith guitarist Joe Perry had a bit of a problem. He was so hooked on a laundry list of drugs that he showed up high to his own wedding.
Read MoreAs chief legal counsel of the NAACP, Thurgood Marshall tried hundreds of cases including Brown v. Board of Education before being appointed to the Supreme Court
Read MoreOwning a guitar used by a famous rock musician is a way of owning a piece of history. Here are the most expensive guitars in rock history.
Read MoreVikings, being just like us, really, though usually carrying more cutlery than we do, also delighted in codes. And we have proof.
Read MoreThere was one tune in particular that the King "didn't want to record," "didn't like," and "sang as rarely as possible". And it's one of his most popular.
Read MoreBefore he'd hit it big fronting The Charlie Daniels Band, Daniels was a session player, providing guitar and bass (no fiddle, apparently) on Nashville Skyline, as well as three more Dylan albums, reports Rolling Stone. But before that Daniels had teamed up with Johnny Cash to write a song.
Read MoreThe Ramones became of the most influential and important rock bands of all time. All the same, the Ramones' tragic real-life story is full of full of heartbreak and tragedy.
Read MoreWhat exactly did Charlie Daniels mean with The Devil Went Down to Georgia? And where did he get the idea?
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