Valentine’s Day Special: two amazing power couples who ruled in modern historyA Queen and her King Consort; a President and a First Lady. One in the UK, one in America. They shaped the world as we know it, and did it…Feb 14, 2022Feb 14, 2022
Published inThe Daily CuppaThere’s a village in France called Sainte-Verge, and its name is funny to those who speak French.In French vierge- spelled with an i- means virgin. On the other hand, verge- like the name of the place, officially means rod or staff —…Feb 6, 20221Feb 6, 20221
Published inThe HavenThree foods with confusing names, and the explanation for itThe Jerusalem artichoke does not come from Israel.Feb 6, 2022Feb 6, 2022
Published inILLUMINATIONA physics lesson featuring Betelgeuse and a 19th Century Romantic poetOn the 15th of January in Romania we celebrate the birthday of Mihai Eminescu, our most famous poet. Born in 1950, he is sort of like our…Feb 6, 2022Feb 6, 2022
Published inThe Daily CuppaCanaries were named after dogs (sort of!)It all has to do with the Canary Islands.Jan 27, 20221Jan 27, 20221
Published inThe Daily CuppaHere’s a fact that sounds made up but it’s totally true:One of the learned men who joined King Alfred the Great’s Court in the last decades of the 9th Century was named Werewolf.Jan 24, 20221Jan 24, 20221
Three Savage and Masterful Insults From Iconic World LeadersFrom Napoleon to Winston Churchill to Teddy Roosevelt, the great men of history did not hold back, especially when it came to their closest…Jan 21, 20221Jan 21, 20221
Published inThe Daily CuppaBudgets and bellies came to us from the Gauls of Ancient France.I’m back to Medium after a nearly two months break, and ready to entertain you with interesting etymologies.Jan 20, 20222Jan 20, 20222
I’m back!Hi all, this is a very quick note to let you know that, after taking a break from Medium last month, mostly because of getting caught up…Jan 18, 20221Jan 18, 20221