Culture & Traditions

Let's dive into a term that describes something wildly imaginative but, well, a bit unrealistic: a pipe dream. If you've ever had an idea that feels amazing but probably isn't going to happen, you've had a pipe dream. But where does this expression come from, and what does it mean?

By Talon Homer

Christmas traditions are like snowflakes: No two are the same, and some are downright bizarre. Sure, Santa Claus squeezing down chimneys is strange enough, but the world is full of other weird Christmas traditions that make reindeer games look tame.

By Desiree Bowie

Ever had plans that got canceled because of bad weather or a last-minute schedule change? If so, you might have been offered a rain check.

By Talon Homer

Several Christmas markets in large cities will bring about a sense of wonder this holiday season. However, if you're in the mood to step into a true winter wonderland, maybe plan to visit one of the many smaller markets in Europe for a quieter, peaceful slice of joy.

By Mitch Ryan

Ever hear someone say, "Look on the bright side!" when you're feeling down? They're talking about finding a "silver lining," an expression we use when we want to see the positive aspect of a challenging situation, often included in the longer phrase "Every cloud has it's silver lining."

By Talon Homer

The holiday season is a time for hanging lights, sipping warm beverages and doing anything to stay cozy as the winter months bring that biting chill to your doorstep. One magical tradition to maintain cheer and battle seasonal depression is setting up a classic Christmas tree for all to see.

By Mitch Ryan

You may have heard the phrase "benefit of the doubt" tossed around when people are accused of things without solid proof or when someone decides to think the best of a person in a tricky situation. But what does it actually mean, and where did it come from?

By Talon Homer

"Tit-for-tat" is a common phrase that's all about fair play — or sometimes, not-so-fair retaliation. You've probably heard of doing something tit-for-tat when someone feels wronged. In that situation someone responds in kind, often giving back exactly what they got, good or bad.

By Karina Ryan

Have you ever heard someone say they're feeling under the weather and wondered what their feelings have to do with the rain or sun outside? It's one of those phrases that we don't take literally; we understand that the person means they're feeling ill.

By Ada Tseng

The black-red-yellow flag color combination has roots dating back to the 13th century. The flag of the Holy Roman Empire, an imperial banner used by the Holy Roman Emperor, featured a black eagle with a red beak and red claws on top of a golden background.

By Ada Tseng

Is he into you? Discover the 7 obvious signs he likes you, from subtle gestures to clear actions, and learn how to decode his feelings effortlessly.

By HowStuffWorks

Have you ever been about to perform, only to have someone tell you to break a leg? That might sound strange — or even a bit harsh. After all, who wants a debilitating injury right before stepping on stage?

By Ada Tseng

Flags are powerful symbols, representing the identity, history and values of nations. Among the most striking are those featuring an iconic blue and white flag design, a combination often associated with peace, freedom and unity.

By Desiree Bowie

Ever been in a situation where you didn't have a set plan and just had to figure things out as you went along? That's when you might decide to "play it by ear."

By Zach Taras

If you've ever been to brunch after a night of too much celebrating, you've probably heard about using the "hair of the dog" to cure your queasiness. It usually pops up when someone suggests that a little more alcohol could help you shake off hangover symptoms.

By Mack Hayden

Let's talk about an expression you've probably heard before: "rule of thumb." This phrase is a handy way of saying, "Here's a general guideline that works in most cases."

By Zach Taras

Flags are more than just colors and shapes; they're symbols of identity, pride and history. Four countries proudly fly a green, white, and orange flag — and each draws that color scheme from its rich history and distinctive symbolism as nations.

By Mack Hayden

Flags are more than just colors on cloth; they're symbols that represent a nation's identity, history and values. A green and white flag can mean very different things, depending on the country.

By Mack Hayden

The phrase "bear with me," meaning "be patient with me," likely originated in 14th-century Middle English and is often confused with "bare with me" due to similar pronunciation.

By Mitch Ryan

Abrahamic religions often refer to angels who are servants of God, often coming down to Earth to perform miracles and give guidance to humans. Above even the angels are what believers call archangels, who are an elite class basically serving as the Lord's chief princes, reporting to him directly.

By Talon Homer

Although there are plenty of named and unnamed angels mentioned in both the Torah and the New Testament Bible, Archangel Raphael is likely one of the most recognized by scholars as well as casual readers of ancient mythology.

By Talon Homer

Flags are powerful symbols of national identity and culture, with each banner telling a unique story about a country's past, values and aspirations — and the red-white-blue flag standard is no exception.

By Karina Ryan

Flags are powerful symbols that communicate a nation’s identity, values, and even political history. Today, we're looking at flags that feature a bold red background with bright yellow stars. A quick image search for "red flag with yellow star" will give you a few different results, so we'll look at the most common examples and the countries they represent.

By Zach Taras

Flags aren't just colorful pieces of fabric waving in the wind; they're symbols, each one packed with history, identity and meaning. Today, we're exploring a striking type of flag seen across the globe: the white flag with a red cross. (We'll also take a look at flags that display the inverse: a white cross on a red background).

By Zach Taras

When we think of national flags, we're often drawn to their colors and designs, each one telling a unique story. A red, yellow, and green flag is no different.

By Zach Taras