They say 96 used to be synonymous with 69.
Mongols’ drink of choice is airag. Made from fermented mare’s milk, it tastes a little like yogurt, and an average serving has as much alcohol as a light beer.
Scholars often can’t tell the difference between portraits of Octavian’s sister and his wife because they looked alike.
According to one source, the word “alcohol” came to English through Moorish Spain and the Arabic language: “alKuhl.” The same goes for the word cotton, from “algodon.”
On Dec. 22, 1882, Thomas Edison created the first string of Christmas lights. Shortly after, the lights electrocuted his cat.
This article appears in May 31 • 2002.