Culture & Traditions
Cultures and Traditions takes a look at how people interact with each other. This might be through sub-cultures, relationships, fads or religion and spirituality.
You were probably used to red squiggles showing up for spelling errors and green ones for grammatical errors in Microsoft Word documents. But why was the red usually right and the green usually wrong?
No Offense: 5 Passive-aggressive Sayings We Can Do Without
You know them. They're the people who act like they're not mad, but really are. They're passive aggressive and say some of these five zingers.
More people are opting for cremation over traditional burials and in some states they can choose a water cremation.
From claims of secret bank accounts created by the government to exemptions from federal law, sovereign citizen beliefs seem outlandish. But is there any truth to them?
Will Death of Georgia Island Champion Hasten End of a Unique Culture?
Cornelia Bailey was the unofficial historian of Sapelo Island, Georgia, who helped spread the word about its unique Geechee culture. But after recent death, will residents be able to hold on to their heritage?
They're been living in Myanmar (formerly Burma) since the 12th century, yet they've been persecuted by the Buddhist majority for decades. Here's why.
Boston, New York, Texas: The Origins of These and Other Great American Accents
What does Boston have against the letter R? Why do Minnesotans sometimes drag out the 'O' sound?
Dotard, Slumgullion, and Other Gloriously Archaic Insults
Kim Jong Un called Donald Trump a dotard. Here are some equally entertaining, out-of-date options the 45th president could've thrown back in his face.
Illustrator Unearths a Forgotten 19th-century Albanian Alphabet
The alphabet's been lost for hundreds of years, but a designer is bringing it back to light with a new digital font dubbed "Albanian Helvetica."
The Danish people are among the happiest on the planet. Here are 5 reasons why.
Some turn to faith healing as a last resort when ill, and others rely on it solely to provide a miracle cure. But can it really treat the sick?
Bronze Age Burial Sites Suggest Women Spread Culture More Than Men
Women in the late Stone and early Bronze Ages in Europe probably traveled long distances and spread new ideas and objects, more so than their male counterparts.
What's the meaning behind how we spell theater and theatre? And does it really matter?
Children as young as 10 are being married (or forced into marriage) in the United States. And it's perfectly legal.
Korea's Haenyeo Female Freedivers Brave Freezing Waters and a Changing Culture
The tradition dates back centuries, but an aging population of workers and dwindling profits endanger the free-diving culture.
The world boasts about 7,000 languages. Close to half are threatened with extinction.
Why Gravy Wrestling Is an Annual Tradition in One British Town
The annual World Gravy Wrestling Championship sees grapplers go head to head in a savory meat sauce on the last Monday each August.
A segment of young men are separating themselves from society out of frustration with the poor economy and a strong feminist ethos.
For White Nationalists, Genetic Ancestry Tests Challenge Concepts of Identity and Purity
A new study examines how white nationalists try to rationalize results of DNA-based ancestry tests when their genetic background holds surprises.
Matchmakers have paired up couples for centuries, and it doesn't seem as though laxer social rules and online dating has slackened their market. From traditional shadchans to professional Cupids, what does the modern matchmaker do?
Belgian Town Cooks Gigantic Omelet, Defying European Egg Scandal
For more than two decades, the town of Malmedy has created a huge omelet, and this year they didn't let an egg scare stop them.
Humanity's Eclipse Superstitions Are Weird and Fascinating
Humans have sought to explain solar eclipses since before the advent of modern science. What curious explanations have we invented?
The myth of the ninja has intrigued the world for centuries. A new Japanese research center is out to solve it.
There's more to the samurai blade than its cinematic drama, and the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast digs into the history and science behind the sword.
Despite what you might think, everyone has an accent. It just becomes noticeable when it's different from others in the same community. How do accents develop and why is it so hard to lose one?
