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What’s the Kennection? #138

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

The Surprising History Behind 5 Popular Halloween Costumes

The origins of these classic costumes are probably not what you would expect.

Scurvy decimated sailors, explorers, and regular citizens for centuries before a cure for the vitamin deficiency was discovered.

Scurvy—a “Disease of the Past”—Is Making a Comeback

A case study of a man in Australia is highlighting the return of a disease associated with Elizabethan sailors and polar explorers.

Remember Google Buzz? (Don't worry, we almost didn't either.)

11 Old Social Media Platforms You Probably Forgot Existed

Still miss your old Friendster account? Discover why that and other once-popular social media platforms got discontinued here.

DNA Identifies Medieval Man Thrown Down a Well, Confirming a Norse Saga’s Tale

According to a medieval saga, the Norwegian “Well Man” might have been used as a biological weapon.

It's a chore the whole family can get in on.

Yes, You Need to Clean Your Dishwasher—Here’s How

Discover the easiest ways to clean your dishwasher, plus the spots you definitely don't want to forget about (like your dishwasher seals).

Paddington at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Paddington' (2014).

Paddington Just Got His Passport

‘Paddington in Peru’ required a prop passport, but Paddington Bear ended up with a real one.

Get a better sense of how illnesses have shaped history in these gripping reads.

12 Fascinating Books on History’s Most Notorious Diseases

Get a better sense of how illnesses have shaped history with these gripping reads about history’s most notorious diseases.

New Yorkers might be able to take days off to care for their sick pets.

New York City Workers Could Soon Use Paid Sick Leave to Care for Ill Pets

Tired of lying to your boss when you need to take time off to bring Fluffy or Fido to the vet? A new bill could change things for you.

A hearse with S-shaped bars in place of back windows.

Why Do Hearses Have Metal S-Shaped Scrolls Where the Back Windows Should Be?

Those evocative scrolls you see on hearses actually have a name—and going back in the 1800s, they actually served an important purpose.

Cacti are not welcome in one German town.

Such Pricks: A German Town Has Banned Cactus From Government Buildings

The mayor in ‘Footloose’ banned dancing. The mayor of Plettenberg has banned cactus.

13 Haunting Facts About ‘Paranormal Activity’

According to legend, Steven Spielberg thought his DVD of the film was haunted.

The 1795 time capsule buried at the Massachusetts State House was innocuous. But others were not.

The Surprisingly Dark History of Time Capsules

Time capsules are buried, found, and opened fairly commonly. But when they were first gaining popularity at the start of the 20th century, their purpose was often far more nefarious.

Bram Stoker's bibliography just got richer.

A Long-Lost Short Story by ‘Dracula’ Author Bram Stoker Has Been Rediscovered After 130 Years

The tale was composed as Stoker was working on his iconic vampire.

25 of the Most Essential Movies About Witches

Add these captivating movies about witches like ‘Practical Magic’ and ‘The Love Witch’ to your Halloween streaming line-up this month.

It’s Time to Vote for the Most Beautiful Bat

The Bureau of Land Management is hosting the beauty contest you never knew you needed to see.

Retro Video Shows What a Trip to the Movies Was Like in 1987

This video will have you nostalgic for the days of original blockbusters and reasonably-sized popcorn.

The beaches of Newfoundland are covered with gooey white blobs.

Weird White Blobs Are Taking Over Some Canadian Beaches

The beaches of Newfoundland are a little less pleasant since white blobs have appeared everywhere.

The backstory behind these masks is almost as legendary as the films they appear within.

The Fascinating Origins Behind 8 Iconic Horror Movie Masks

From meticulous artistry to pure dumb luck, the origins of horror movie masks are as interesting as the films themselves.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #9

This riddle is nearly a century old—can you figure out the answer?

Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?

It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.

10 Famous Uses of the Ouija Board

Sylvia Plath often broke out her Ouija Board to speak to her spirit guide, Pan.

Keep these antioxidant-rich fruits firm and fresh for longer with these tips.

Want Your Grapes to Stay Fresh? Here’s How to Properly Store Them

These tips can help extend the shelf life of your grapes and keep them fresh for weeks to come.

'The Warm Hand' by Jean Francois Bosio, 1817.

Misconceptions About the Regency Era

When exactly was the Regency era, anyway? Find out that and more in this episode of Misconceptions.