Interesting tidbits and things you should know about everything from the US Constitution to the modern banana industry.

Wow! That's Fascinating

Interesting

Let's set the scene. You're livid, you want to scream at someone. But for some reason, you can't speak. What gesture do you give them?&nbsp;That's right - the good ol' middle finger comes immediately to mind, right? The middle finger has been known as a way to display anger for a very long time - going all the way back to ancient Greece. In fact, it's "one of the most ancient insult gestures known,” according to anthropologist <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16916263">Desmond Morris</a>.It doesn't take too much imagination to understand why “flipping the bird” became a common way to silently condemn someone. It's easy to see how the extension of the middle finger (with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/left-hand-facts/bailey-benningfield">rest of the hand</a> in a closed fist) has a phallic nature to it. Read on to find out more.

The Funny History Of Giving Someone The Middle Finger

General

Emily Mast

Entertainment

Although many movies are based on real-life events, some actually caused real-life events. The following films <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/mistakes-that-changed-history/troybrownfield">changed history</a> in a variety of ways, from discovering a new animal species, to inspiring defections from a totalitarian nation, to reviving a racist organization.For those who doubt the power of film, may this list be proof.

Movies That Inspired Actual Events

Film

Shane Fraser

Lists about some of the worst people to ever live and the very bad ways things they did when they let their power go to their heads.

Real Historical Villains

Historical Figures

Perhaps the best way to complicate one&#39;s view of a notorious historical figure is to learn about their personal tastes. Even a person that you, and much of the public, may absolutely despise will have had interests that overlap with your own. Look no further than movies for some prime examples. Love&nbsp;Star Wars? So did a famous serial killer.&nbsp;The Godfather? You&#39;re in company with an Iraqi dictator. What about James Bond films? An infamous drug lord and a North Korean supreme leader were big fans -&nbsp;one even owned a box set. Have some warm nostalgia for cartoons like Tom and Jerry? A <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/bizarre-obsessions-of-dangerous-dictators/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">Ugandan despot couldn&#39;t get enough</a> of that rascally cat and mouse.

The more <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-cruel-rulers-in-history/michael-anderson" target="_blank">ruthless the figure</a> and wholesome the film, the more shocking the connection. Although you may be tempted to dive into the psychology of each incongruous choice, just know people are people - even the worst ones require good entertainment.

Favorite Movies Of The Most Notorious Figures In History

Person

Favorite Movies Of Notorious Historical Figures

Names

It's always interesting to watch how names ebb and flow in popularity over the decades. But have you ever thought of just how long some of these names have been popular?&nbsp;Mary - a staple for centuries (for obvious reasons). Alice on the other hand - <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.behindthename.com/name/alice">wasn't popular between the 16th</a> and 19th centuries. Then you have <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.behindthename.com/name/matilda">Matilda</a>, which was extremely popular up to the 15th century - specifically the nickname version of ‘Maude.’A project to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://finerollshenry3.org.uk/home.html">digitize the records</a> of King Henry III provided an interesting glimpse into 13th-century England and gave a pretty good idea of what the most popular names were at the time.&nbsp;So, if you've been curious about what some of the most popular names were for medieval women - outside of Elizabeth and Anne - saddle up. You also might want to pull out a pen (or a feather and quill to be really authentic) if you're looking for some medieval-inspired names for your baby.

15 Popular Names For Girls From Medieval Times That Are Due For A Comeback

The Most Popular Medieval Female Names 

Whoa Facts

As an industry, Hollywood thrives on stars. Even today, while they aren’t quite as prominent as they once were, these larger-than-life personalities still have the power to draw people to the theater. And, as more and more nostalgic films become available for home consumption via streaming, the celebrities who appeared in the movies have become ever more appealing to those who fondly remember their earlier successes, leading many to look at the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/nostalgic-actor-facts-2021/alby-thompson">fascinating facts about their lives and careers</a>.&nbsp;While some stars find success due to family connections, some very famous actors have more&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-famous-actors-got-discovered/anncasano">fascinating tales of discovery.</a> In fact, a surprising number of Hollywood’s greatest success stories burst onto the scene with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/actors-who-got-roles-with-no-experience/anncasano">little to no acting experience</a>. Be sure to vote on which stories you found most surprising.&nbsp;

Surprising Stories About How Beloved, Nostalgic Actors Were Discovered

How Our Favorite Actors Actually Made It To Hollywood

Thomas West

History

Do you ever think of a question, but feel silly asking it? You may think it's too simple, or just assume everyone else already knows. You may <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/questions-answers-makes-sense/melissa-sartore?ref=profile_own">track down the answer</a>, you may not - and if it's the latter, you're left wondering and wondering and wondering.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-q-and-a-share-with-people/melissa-sartore?ref=profile_own">A lot of questions</a> have come to our minds that we finally got around to asking. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/answers-to-questions-about-food/melissa-sartore?ref=profile_own">Some of the answers</a> are surprisingly simple; others are much more complicated than we ever could have imagined.

Answers To 11 Questions We Can't Believe We Didn't Know

Answers To Questions We Can't Believe We Didn't Know

Melissa Sartore

If you’ve ever attempted to learn a new language, chances are that you’ve meant to say one thing, have gotten a funny look, and realized you’ve said something completely different. With all of the many different languages, cultures, expressions, and interpretations around the world, it’s no surprise <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historic-screw-ups-sound-made-up-but-arent/will-morgan-1">mistranslations have happened constantly throughout history</a>.&nbsp;In the best cases, translating a few words wrong in a different language has been quite funny for those listening in their native language, and in the worst cases, it has led to violence, subjugation, and even deaths. All of these translation errors certainly prove that the pen really is mightier than the sword.

Historical Mistranslations That Made Us Say 'Oops'

Connor Clodfelter

Christina Ricci is known for unforgettable 1990s roles like Kat in Casper and Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family and Addams Family Values. Through the early 21st century, she <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dark-movie-roles-by-90s-it-girls/ryan-izay">took on grittier</a> and more daring parts, all of which helped distinguish her as a performer.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christina-ricci-facts/nathan-gibson">Ricci's appearances</a> in independent movies and her propensity to play unusual characters have set her apart amid the Hollywood landscape. She's actually pretty fascinating, which is why we wanted to know about what she's like behind the scenes.What we learned from the people who have worked with Ricci was insightful and, honestly, it makes us think <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christina-ricci-interview-quotes/blue-velvet">she's even more of a bada**</a>. Take a look and see for yourself.

What 16 People Who've Worked With Christina Ricci Said About The Experience

All about the life and career of the ageless actor Tom Cruise. 

Cruising Altitude

Tom Cruise has been a movie star since the early 1980s. Over the decades, there have been stories, some of them on the stranger side, about everything from his personal life to<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/tom-cruise-over-the-top-role/melissa-sartore"> the zeal with which he prepares for his roles</a>. He is known to perform many of the extreme stunts in his films, which often place him in physical danger and occasionally have resulted in injury. And while we may not know him personally, his long wild ride in Hollywood almost makes us feel like we do.The intense, take-charge, risk-taking, heroic personality that Cruise often displays on screen may not be that far removed from his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-tom-cruise-facts/tracey-graham">off-screen self</a>. From his own accounts, he was apparently the same as a child, and according to the stories of others, he has stepped in several times to assist a co-star, friend, or a stranger when <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-tom-cruise-stories/tracey-graham">they needed help</a>.&nbsp;Although his behavior may sometimes be a bit perplexing, both on screen and off Cruise has succeeded in holding people's attention for nearly 40 years. Whether or not you're a fan, these stories prove that this maverick has made his mark as a one-of-a-kind movie star of the zeitgeist.

17 Intense And Over-The-Top Tom Cruise Moments That Made Us Say 'That's Tom'

Intense And Over-The-Top Stories We Just Heard About Tom Cruise

TGWrites

Lists about the fascinating, often brutal customs and rituals about the legendary Norse seafarers.

A Viking's Life for Me

Whether or not Vikings had tattoos isn't entirely clear, but <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historically-inaccurate-viking-tropes/setareh-janda">popular culture definitely</a> tells us they did. At least one historical account seems to substantiate this. When he encountered the Rus - Scandinavians in Eastern Europe and Russia -&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Vikings_An_Encyclopedia_of_Conflict_Inva/MtljEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=ibn+fadlan+rus+tattoo&amp;pg=PA49&amp;printsec=frontcover">Arab chronicler Ibn Fadlan</a> (c. 879-960) noted that "from the tips of his toes to his neck, each man is tattooed in dark green with designs and so forth."&nbsp;Both history and conventional wisdom hold that Scandinavians and their descendants adorned their bodies with symbols, sigils, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://galdrasyning.is/en/galdrastafir/">and staves</a> - all with specific meanings and importance. Runes were also used to convey information. The characters of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Revival_of_the_Runes/XCkBEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=younger+futhark&amp;pg=PT59&amp;printsec=frontcover">Younger Futhark system</a> were prominent <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Spiritual_Runes/wkbBDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=younger+futhark&amp;pg=PA9&amp;printsec=frontcover">during the 9th</a>, 10th, and 11th centuries and are most closely connected with the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes#:~:text=Runes%20%2D%20an%20ancient%20alphabet&amp;text=The%20runic%20stones%20of%20the,up%20until%20the%2014th%20century.">so-called Viking Age</a>. They have their origins in the aptly named <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Futhark/PM7ODwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=futhark+thorsson&amp;printsec=frontcover">Elder Futhark</a> and gave way to derivatives like Anglo-Saxon runes.&nbsp;But what did these sigils and runes look like? And what did they mean?&nbsp;Information comes from magical and mythological manuals assembled between the 12th and 17th centuries. Called <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Routledge_Revivals_Medieval_Scandinavia/PTArDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=Galdrastafir+scandinavia&amp;pg=PA399&amp;printsec=frontcover">grimoires&nbsp;or&nbsp;galdraboekur</a>, these <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://galdrasyning.is/en/galdraskraedur/">collections contained</a> folklore tales, spells, runic symbols, and staves - the tools used by magicians.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.amazon.com/Galdrabok-Icelandic-Grimoire-English/dp/087728685X">The&nbsp;Galdrabok</a> provides <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/viking-religion-beliefs/lyra-radford">information about Old Icelandic</a> magic and is where we can find the closest thing to what a Viking tattoo may have actually looked like.&nbsp;Take a look and vote up the Viking symbols that have you ready for your next tattoo.&nbsp;

The Meanings And Symbolism Behind Viking Tattoos

When we think back on the facts and stories we've encountered so far in 2022, we realize many unsettling things have crossed our path. Whether it's a new detail about the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/pearl-harbor-timeline/genevieve-carlton">1941 attack on Pearl Harbor</a> or a revelation about the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/consequences-of-radium-in-common-products/melissa-sartore">pervasive use of radium</a>, the range of information we've learned during the first half of the year is pretty shocking.We gathered the creepiest and most disturbing things we've learned so far: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-obscure-crimes/philgibbons">details about unsolved crimes</a>, revelations from healthcare professionals, stories about war tactics, and more. Take a look and vote up the spine-chilling information that really did give you chills.

16 Of The Creepiest And Most Disturbing Things We've Learned So Far In 2022

Deciding who is or isn&#39;t a renegade when it comes to history&nbsp;is a bit subjective. Some of history&#39;s toughest men <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/unbelievable-tough-women/kaitlyn-weldon" target="_blank">and women</a> are people you just wouldn&#39;t want to mess with because they were sadistic killers, defiant vigilantes, or truly troubled individuals with anger-management problems.

Many of these&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-badasses-in-history/chase-christy" target="_blank">fierce figures from history</a> are associated with the military and fighting - often men and women who looked at an adversary&nbsp;and went into the entanglement&nbsp;with gusto, defying all odds. Another category of historical rebels includes those who took it upon themselves to tackle justice or simply did whatever they could to survive in the worst of circumstances.

Some of these people are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/teddy-roosevelt-stories/thaneeconomou" target="_blank">fairly well-known</a>. Others are individuals we didn&#39;t learn about until well <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-badasses-not-taught-in-school/sean-kelly" target="_blank">after history class</a>&nbsp;was over. We found a bunch of intense historical figures who fall into that latter camp. Vote up the individuals who brought some major fire and fury&nbsp;to history.

11 Fierce Historical Figures Most People Have Never Heard Of

Fierce Unknown Historical Figures

Lists about the gazillions of things spinning around the whole infinite universe.

Space: The Final Frontier

Space

When you stop to consider the mind-boggling size of the universe, yeah, it's easy to feel insignificant. When you puzzle over the challenges of exploring space with our frail, fleshy bodies, sure, it's intimidating. And is that endless abyss full of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-space-could-end-life-on-earth/nathan-gibson">apocalyptic scenarios waiting to happen</a>? Yes. But, friends, there is some gorgeous chaos out there.More than two decades in the making and finally launched on December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the successor to the Hubble. It is the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/07/12/science/webb-telescope-images-nasa">most powerful telescope</a> to be launched into space, and currently resides <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/about/orbit.html">1.5 million kilometers</a> (932,000 miles) from Earth. It is capable of gathering seven times the amount of light as the Hubble, offering us even deeper glimpses into the universe, and even further hints into its past.We were stunned by the pictures of Saturn <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-pictures-of-saturn-from-nasa-cassini/katejacobson">taken by the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft</a>, but we're absolutely floored by the first color images from the James Webb. Enjoy these unparalleled peeks into our universe's past, and vote up the ones that take your breath away.

Images From The James Webb Space Telescope That Make Us Marvel At The Universe

Pierce Nahigyan

Hot dogs are about as American as apple pie - the signature dish at backyard barbecues, ballparks, and street fairs nationwide. And just like each state has its own cultural flair, American hot dog styles vary by region.&nbsp;It's not uncommon for different states to offer their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/different-pizza-styles-in-america/setareh-janda">unique spins on classic American cuisine</a>, and the hot dog industry is no exception. While some stands and shops take inspiration from other popular local cuisines for their toppings (like adding coleslaw or fish sticks to their classic franks and buns), others insist on layering, excluding, or adding ingredients to ensure their dogs remain a distinct staple to their regional style.&nbsp;This list features some of the most distinctively different dogs in the US.&nbsp;

Regional Hot Dog Styles From Across The US

Lauren Glen

What It's Like

In 1897, the US was at the tail end of an economic recession now known as the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.historylink.org/file/20874">Panic of 1893</a>. Many Americans were struggling to feed their families or keep a roof over their heads. So when news got out that gold has been found in the Klondike region of Canada's Yukon, thousands of people hastily uprooted themselves and headed north to take part in rushing to remote northwestern Canada.&nbsp;Although some of the stampeders were experienced miners, far more were <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-life-was-like-on-the-oregon-trail/jacobybancroft">completely unprepared for the hazardous trip</a> to the gold fields or for the Wild West-type conditions they found upon arrival. And although George Carmack - credited with first finding gold in the Klondike - became a rich man, the majority of gold-seekers did not. By 1899, the Klondike Gold Rush (also called the Yukon Gold Rush) was all but over.

10 Fun Facts About The Klondike Gold Rush

Because a positive societal image is so hard to earn, it seems evident that people and companies with an upstanding influence would do everything they could to uphold their social standing.&nbsp;Still, everyone makes mistakes. While a little “oops” here and there is acceptable - and even expected, this rule is often overlooked when the person or company erring is in the public eye. As social media has grown over the years, these mistakes have become even more prevalent, sometimes causing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historic-screw-ups-sound-made-up-but-arent/will-morgan-1">massive fallouts that damage reputations forever</a>.&nbsp;Whether it's a snooty email that quickly went viral, a nasty comment that showed a person's true colors, or a massive scandal that took years to finally unfold, this list features times when a carefully built reputation changed in an instant.&nbsp;

Times In History When A Carefully Built Reputation Changed In An Instant

Times Reputations Changed In An Instant

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Weird History lists on Ranker

Weird History lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Weird History lists and rankings.

Weird, spooky, and tragic stories of people who passed in odd ways or on strange days.

Unusual Demises

There were some strange deaths that have occurred during the 20th century and these are the most bizarre ways that people passed in the 1900s. The following list includes some the most unusual ways of passing imaginable. There are plenty of strange ways to perish, but these might be the strangest&nbsp;of all&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;unique and extremely rare circumstances that you can think of.

What are the most bizarre ways famous people have died in the last century? Do you know someone who swallowed a toothpick at a party and then perished because of peritonitis? Did you know about an actress who passed when she fell down a chimney, thinking it was a balcony? If not, read this list of all the unusual deaths of 20th century people who died in strange ways.

Unusual Deaths: Bizarre Deaths Of The 20th Century

Bizarre Deaths | List of Unusual Ways To Die

Notable Famous Deaths

Before tickets even went on sale, every major motion picture employed dozens of people and cost thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Here is how some of them screwed it all up.

Famous Film Fails

Death

Real accidents happen on the sets of big budget movies, but most of them don&#39;t cost the cast or crew their lives. Film productions follow a number of regulations to keep performers and crew members safe, but while shooting scenes of manufactured peril, performers sometimes put themselves in situations where the slightest miscalculation can quickly become deadly. Some occurred on <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-nausea-inducing-great-films/randolph" target="_blank">nausea-inducing sets</a>; others happened in seemingly commonplace situations.

What are some examples of people dying on movie sets? People have lost their lives on films as early as 1928&#39;s Noah&#39;s Ark. Here are some of the worst cases where mistakes and misfortune have collided to produce fatal consequences.

12 Film Sets On Which People Were Actually Killed

Deaths on Movie Sets | List of Fatal Accidents During Film Productions

Matt Blackwood

Looking closer at the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, a period during which artists, architects, politicians, scientists, and writers embraced humanism, bringing their society from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The Renaissance

List of odd deaths that happened during the Renaissance, including some of the rumors and legends behind them. This list includes stories of people dying from laughter, a ruler who died due to shyness about using the restroom, and a man who was beaten to death with his own artificial limb. "The Renaissance" is a term used to refer to a broad cultural movement that swept across Europe from the 14th through the 17th century, as well as the period in European History that divides the Late Middle Ages from the beginnings of the modern era. Through the term is most typically used to refer to the Renaissance in Italy - which includes a number of the most famous writers, thinkers, and artists of the period - the Renaissance itself spread to a number of European nations, including Scandinavia, The Netherlands, England, France, Hungary, and Russia.Need more? Check out the most unusual murders of other eras such as the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-deaths-bizarre-deaths-during-the-middle-ages/notable-famous-deaths">odd deaths during the Middle Ages</a> and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/unusual-deaths-bizarre-deaths-of-the-21st-century/notable-famous-deaths">bizarre deaths from the 21st century.</a>

The 9 Strangest Deaths of the Renaissance And Early Modern Eras

Renaissance Deaths | List of Strange Renaissance Era Killings

A look at major events that happened a long time ago and the people who played the biggest roles in shaping the world as we know it.

Historical Facts & Figures

Some of the most prolific&nbsp;figures in history got off in ways that would have been considered untoward in their time.&nbsp;

Nowadays, many&nbsp;of the&nbsp;behaviors described here are seen as normal, or at least, somewhat so. But back in the day, some of these writers, revolutionaries, philosophers, and the like kept their sexuality&nbsp;and kinks a secret, only to be discovered decades after their passing by scholars and curious readers.

Perhaps if these legends were alive now, they would wave their flags proudly and let the world know what turns them on. Or not, and that&#39;s fine too; after all, it&#39;s nobody&#39;s business what you&#39;re into.

10 Historically Important Figures With Extra Colorful Personal Lives

The Most Historically Important Perverts Of All Time

Beau Iverson

Weird History

Bill Gates

Steve Jobs

Ronald Reagan

Pop Culture

A list of the Americans who have had the most central influence on, or importance to, the modern era. This would include Americans who have most significantly altered the course of events from roughly the 1980s onward. So while someone like Ronald Reagan or Steve Jobs might very well apply, figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt or even Martin Luther King Jr. would probably not be considered contemporary enough to qualify.Americans from every walk of life and every industry have managed to profoundly influence the country. This can include efforts to alter the culture or perspective of Americans, technological or scientific innovations that forever <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/ways-internet-changes-how-we-think/hannah-collins?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">changed the way</a> we live, business achievements which altered the course of one or multiple industries, or political decisions that permanently shifted later events in America and the world.Vote for the important Americans below you think had the greatest impact on the way we live today. Or if you don't see your selection, add it by making your own list.