Whereas many children find it hard to identify their own national flag, the majority would be able to pick out the flag flown by pirates, as well as knowing its name – the Jolly Roger.
Characters like Blackbeard, Long John Silver and Captain Hook have, over the years, brought the pirate trade of yesteryear to [more…]
This American criminologist and government officials career began in 1916 when he began work in the Justice Department in the War Emergency Division. He became the first director of the FBI.
John Edgar was born in 1935 in Washington DC. He studied law at George Washington University. In 1917 he joined the United States Department of Justice [more…]
Although Ned Kelly is one of Australias most notorious bushrangers, very few people know more than the fact that he and his gang wore metal armour over their heads and bodies.
Ned Kelly was born at Beveridge, Victoria in December 1854 to an Irish couple, John and Ellen Kelly. At the age of twelve, Neds [more…]
Nell is famously remembered as the courtesan of Charles II, who was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1660-1685.
Nell Gwyn (also spelt Gwynne or Gwynn) is said to have started her life as a flower seller in Drury Lane (much like Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady). She went on to be a [more…]
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus lived from AD 37-68. He was the fifth emperor of Rome and the last of the Julio-Claudian line.
Nero became emperor at the age of 17 and initially very popular, he eased his way in, gaining a reputation for moderation in his dealings. However this all changed and in 59 [more…]
The Pyramids are one of the greatest wonders of the world and have been the topic of many questions and debates. Probably the biggest question is how these awesome architectural feats were constructed, especially since they date back to 3200 BC.
Although earlier estimates were much larger, modern Egyptologists believe that the labour force that [more…]
Known as the Mad Monk, Grigori Rasputin had great influence in the Russian Court. His actions added to the rising discontent that led to the Russian Revolution.
From a poor, rural background, Rasputin came to prominence when as a monk and mystic, he was brought into the Russian royal house to alleviate the suffering of [more…]
Extract from Crossed Wires BIG 191
A reader recently wrote to tell us she thought our puzzle magazines were the bee’s knees, which was nice to hear. ‘The bee’s knees’ is a phrase used to describe an excellent or ideally suitable person or thing.The exact origin of this phrase is uncertain. One story is that [more…]
From Colossus Inklings No.119
Milliner – ‘originally meant ‘native of Milan’, later ‘a vendor of fancy goods from Milan’.
Stationer – comes from the medieval Latin stationarius meaning ‘tradesman at a fixed location, ie not itinerant’.
Butcher – ‘variant of the Old French bochier from boc ‘he-goat’ or buc ‘male deer’.
Tailor -‘Originally from the Latin taliare [more…]
