Napkins were once edible and a famous Hollywood actress invented wi-fi hotspots — just two surprising origins for items we use daily

There are countless things that we see in everyday life that we accept without questioning why they are like they are. However, digging into the history of some of these common items reveal fascinating origins and explanations.

Why do Navy sailors wear flared/bellbottom pants?: This particular naval attire dates back at least 200 years, and came into being for very practical reasons. Sailors could easily roll up their pant legs when wading ashore or swabbing the deck without getting them completely soaked. …

Jumping into the world of investing requires a willingness to learn

This year, the Covid-19 pandemic and an ever-burning desire to make more money led me to do something I have often thought about but never ventured; trading stocks. With a variety of online and phone application platforms to choose from, I decided to start with Robinhood, which is known for its basic and user-friendly design while also being commission-free. It wasn’t long before I got hooked and rapidly learned five important lessons.

Before delving into my journey to fiscal evolution, I can’t stress enough that I am not a financial expert. I don’t even play one on tv. …

Patriotism is different for everyone and is frequently misinterpreted in America

2020 is not just the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also appears to be when the United States is starting to tackle some of their most polarizing issues head on. In particular, the Black Lives Matter movement has inspired wide-spread signs of solidarity from professional athletes, including a variety of actions like kneeling and other symbols of silent protest during the performance of the national anthem. Despite broad support, this has also triggered some into anger over what they perceive as symbols of disrespect and a lack of American pride. …

Some games have a long and compelling history and remain popular to this day

The explosion of technology has meant a never-ending stream of entries into the leisure and entertainment market. While these cutting-edge options are obviously gobbled up, good old-fashioned board games still remain popular; with total annual sales projected to top $12 billion by 2023. This includes these five classics, which are the best-selling of all time according to Money Inc.

5. Scrabble: This challenge of wordsmithing has been popular since it first appeared in 1938. Accommodating two to four players, using tiles to spell words (those made up by participants don’t count!) ends up being an incredibly competitive exercise. Trademarked by Mattel in most of the world, except Canada and the United States, where it is a Hasbro product, the game is sold in 121 countries and available in more than 30 languages. …

There are multiple versions of how the MLB legend got his name, but only one was correct according to his father

Harold “Pie” Traynor spent 17 years (1920–1937) in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates. A star third baseman, he was an excellent hitter who handled the hot corner with style and aplomb. His lunch pail style fit right in with the Steel City and although his name has caused debate regarding its origins over the years, his father stepped forward and set the record straight.

Traynor grew up in Massachusetts as part of a large family who originally emigrated from Canada. …

The NBA legend just hasn’t been able to find anywhere near the level of success he had as a player now that he is running a team

NBA legend Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player to ever step on a court. Now nearly two decades after his final game, he has moved on to become the owner of the Charlotte Hornets; a post he has held for the past 10 years. However, with only two winning seasons in his tenure, and questionable decisions already made this offseason, it appears he is leading his team in circles with no clear path to the kind of success the former guard enjoyed as a six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls.

This offseason was an opportunity for Jordan to move the team to the next level, as he had a high draft pick (third overall) and some money to spend in free agency. Unfortunately, the moves that have been made thus far with that capital are for from being sure things. …

Some of the best MLB players of the recent past will be vying for induction into the Cooperstown shrine

The 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot was recently released for the consideration of voters. Results will be unveiled on January 26th. With candidates needing to obtain at least 75 percent of the vote to gain induction, and no more than 10 players being able to be selected by any one voter, it’s a tough row to hoe to find baseball immortality in Cooperstown. Taking a look at the list of eligible former players, there are some with compelling cases and others who shouldn’t get their hopes up too high.

Curt Schilling, Pitcher: Although his behavior off the field can be offensive and off-putting, his resume on the mound, including 216 wins and a reputation of being perhaps the best postseason pitcher of all time (11–2 with a 2.23 ERA) makes him worthy of the honor. …

The staple of Thanksgiving dinner tables across America have interesting origins

Thanksgiving is just days away and in short order millions of Americans will sit down to consume a sumptuous feast that for the majority will feature turkey as the main course. The poultry has been a staple of the holiday meal for years but when did the tradition start and why was that particular meat chosen from any number of other options?

According to popular legend, the first instance of American Thanksgiving occurred in late November, 1621, when English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts had a communal meal with the local Native American tribe, the Wampanoag. Historians generally believe such a meal took place but did vary significantly from the traditional rites we now perform across the country — including the strong likelihood that there was no turkey served. …