Category
Things we do
Explore the historical origins of customs, rituals, and everyday behaviors we practice without thinking.
13 Articles
Things we do
Why Do Graduates Dress Like Medieval Clerics? Blame the Cold
Every spring, millions of people put on a black tent, drape a strip of coloured silk down their back and balance a flat square board on their head. Nobody thinks this is strange. It is, in fact, the working uniform of a 13th-century churchman — right down to the hat, designed to keep a shaved head warm in an unheated stone room.
Things we do
Why Do Bridesmaids All Dress the Same? Blame the Romans
If you have ever worn a dress identical to four other people at a wedding, you may have wondered who invented this peculiar custom. The answer leads back to Ancient Rome — and the original reason had nothing to do with photographs. It had to do with fooling demons.
Things we do
The Long, Simmering History of Hotpot in China
Hotpot is having a global moment, but its story stretches back more than two millennia. From Han tomb vessels to modern induction tables, the shared ritual remains the same: gather, simmer, and eat together.
Things we do
The Dark Origin of Thumbs Up
The thumbs up gesture is universally known as a sign of approval, but its origin may surprise you. Traced back to Roman gladiatorial combat, this simple gesture once decided life or death.
Things we do
December 25th, the Birth of Christmas
How did December 25th become the celebrated date of Christmas? The story involves pagan festivals, Roman emperors, and centuries of Christian tradition blending together.
Things we do
The Beginning of Military Marching
Military marching is one of the oldest forms of organized human movement. Discover how ancient armies developed synchronized movement to project power and coordinate troops in battle.
Things we do
Actors, Acting, and the birth of Theatre
Theatre is one of humanity's oldest art forms, born from religious rituals in ancient Greece. Discover how storytelling through performance evolved into the global tradition we know today.
Things we do
When Did We Start Wearing Medical Masks?
In some regions of the world masks are used all the time whenever a cold arises as respect to others. In other instances masks are worn to protect our health in highly polluted areas. Since 2020, mask
Things we do
Hula Hoops: a 20th Century Fad 3,000 Years Old
In the late 50s and early 60s a Hula Hoop fad conquered the United Stated. Different sizes, different bright colors were spun around hips throughout the nation by wiggling hips. In merely six months i
Things we do
Why Do Some Countries Drive on the Left?
There are 75 countries in the world that drive on the left side of the road, roughly 31% of all the countries in the world. Most of these territories were at some point part of the British Empire and
Things we do
Why do Barbershop Display White, Red, and Blue Poles?
Only a few centuries ago there was a profession that combined pulling teeth, sewing you up, and shaving you. These highly-skilled professionals were called barbers. From the Clergy to the Barbers In t
Things we do
Let’s Shake Hands Shall We? Wait.. Why?
When did we start to shake hands? What was the meaning of the first hand clasping? Why do we shake our hands up and down? Find out here!
Things we do
Why Do We Flip People Off? Why One or Two Fingers?
[featured image shows off a Roman extending his finger in defiance, the bust was found in Scotland] Origin of Flipping Off Flipping people off is as old as mankind itself. The one finger flip and the