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The Real Story Behind the Merry-Go-Round
One of the first rides parents usually let kids enjoy by themselves is the gentle horse carousel, or merry-go-round. Carousels, which seem very safe and wholesome, have drawn families in for years. For many of us, they bring back fond childhood memories.
But how did they first come into our lives?
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The Real Story Behind the Term ‘Red Herring’
If you’ve ever read a detective or spy novel, you‘re probably familiar with the term ‘red herring.’ A red herring is a clue or some piece of evidence that intentionally leads the investigator, or the reader, further away from the truth.
So, how exactly did this term come into existence?
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What’s the Real Story Behind April Fool’s Day?
It’s that time of year again, when you have to watch out for tricksters. April Fool’s Day is the perfect excuse for any prankster in your immediate area to practice his or her craft.
So, what’s the real story behind the origins of this, um, ‘holiday?’ Well, it’s no joke — there are many possible explanations.
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What’s the Real Story Behind the Phrase ‘Pardon My French?’
When you tell someone, “please pardon my French,” you are in fact apologizing for your offensive language. When French people speak French, they don’t say, “pardon my English” when they want to cuss someone out.
So what’s going on here? Do the French have better curse words than we do?
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The Real Story Behind the Expression ‘Face the Music’
When a parent, a boss, a co-worker or someone in a position of authority tells us that we have to ‘face the music,’ we know we’ve probably done something wrong, and now we’re in for a bit of trouble.
Where on Earth does this expression come from, though?
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What Exactly Is the History Behind Mardi Gras?
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Where Does the Saying ‘Take a Raincheck’ Come From?
When you say, “I’ll take a raincheck,” you’re telling someone that you can’t accept his or her offer or invitation now, but you’d be happy to accept it down the road. The phrase can also be used sarcastically, by letting someone know you’d prefer to delay something unpleasant until the future, or as a promise for out-of-stock goods.
But how did this expression make it into our lexicon?
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