Classic Icons Culture

Marilyn Monroe's famous white halter dress from *The Seven Year Itch* was almost ruined by a subway grate malfunction during filming; the gust of air it created lifted the skirt much higher than planned! elaborate

Memetics Culture

The term "meme," coined by Richard Dawkins, was originally intended to describe units of cultural information transmitted between individuals, analogous to genes in biology, not necessarily humorous internet images. elaborate

Vikings Culture

Vikings weren't all bearded brutes. Many Viking women were warriors and held positions of power. elaborate

Appropriation Culture

The term "cultural appropriation" itself is a relatively recent development, gaining significant traction in academic and public discourse only in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. elaborate

Cultural Studies Culture

The Frankfurt School, a key group in the development of critical theory and cultural studies, initially focused on the impact of mass media on the working class, but their analyses broadened significantly to encompass art, literature, and broader societal structures. elaborate

Food Trends Culture

The popularity of "everything bagel seasoning" exploded in the early 2010s, transcending its original bagel application to become a ubiquitous seasoning for everything from popcorn to eggs. elaborate

Pop Icons Culture

Some zooplankton species can migrate vertically hundreds of meters in the ocean every day, following the sun's light for food. elaborate

The fictional language Klingon, from Star Trek, has a surprisingly large and dedicated following, with its own dictionaries, language learning materials, and even opera performances. elaborate

Pop Predictions Culture

Pop-predictions, while seemingly about predicting popular culture trends, often rely heavily on analyzing existing data and social media trends, rather than solely on intuition or clairvoyance. elaborate

Samurai Culture

Some Samurai wore lacquered helmets that were so heavy, they required special neck muscles to support them. elaborate

Subcultures Culture

The "Teddy Boy" subculture of the 1950s in Britain drew inspiration from the Edwardian era, creating a sharp contrast to the contemporary fashion. elaborate

Music subcultures Culture

The British punk subculture of the 1970s famously embraced DIY aesthetics, often creating their own clothing and zines, leading to a rejection of mainstream fashion and media. elaborate

The Mona Lisa's eyebrows and eyelashes were likely painted on originally, but have since worn away. elaborate

Zeitgeist Culture

The term "Zeitgeist" literally translates from German to "spirit of the times" or "sign of the times". elaborate

Meme Warfare Culture

One of the earliest documented examples of coordinated meme warfare involved the use of "rage comics" during the 2012 US Presidential election. elaborate

Mythology Culture

In Norse mythology, Loki, the trickster god, is the mother of Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse, having given birth to him after shapeshifting into a mare. elaborate

Cancel Culture Culture

The term "cancel culture" itself wasn't widely used until the mid-2010s, despite similar phenomena existing throughout history. elaborate

TikTok Trends Culture

The "Renegade" dance, a viral TikTok trend in 2020, was choreographed by a 14-year-old. elaborate

Body Positivity Culture

Body positivity isn't just about loving your body as it is; it also includes advocating for systemic changes that create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all bodies. elaborate

Anthropology Culture

The Yanomami people of the Amazon rainforest have a unique form of warfare where they primarily aim to inflict psychological damage rather than kill their opponents. elaborate

The theme song for "The Simpsons" was originally intended to be much longer and more complex, but it was shortened to fit the time constraints of television. elaborate

Niche Fandoms Culture

Some niche fandoms have developed their own unique slang and inside jokes so complex that outsiders find them completely unintelligible. elaborate