Ridiculous History

Dive into the quirkiest Christmas traditions from around the globe! Discover the origins of the Scandinavian Yule goat and its connection to festive mischief. From the bizarre history of caroling gone wrong to the whimsical tales of the Christmas spider weaving tinsel, the hosts unearth the oddities that make the holiday season unique. Learn about Guatemala's devil effigy tradition and Catalonia's humorous pooping log ritual. Get ready for a festive journey filled with laughter and strange customs you won't believe!

Join Jake Brennan, a podcaster and author known for his captivating storytelling in music and true crime, as he delves into the troubled life of R&B star Johnny Ace. They explore the eerie circumstances of Ace's death during a game of Russian roulette, unpacking myths versus the grim realities. Discover Jake's insights on backstage antics, conspiracy theories involving Big Mama Thornton, and the exploitative music industry dynamics. The discussion ties Ace's haunting legacy to themes of grief and myth-making, making for a fascinating holiday mystery.

Monopoly is a game that divides opinions, but during WWII, it became an unlikely escape tool for Allied POWs. Discover how UK licensee Waddington turned the board into a covert escape kit, complete with hidden compartments and silk maps. Learn about MI9's clever distribution methods through fake charities to get these kits into camps without Red Cross issues. Even the U.S. had its own version! This episode dives into the origins of the game and its surprising role in wartime, offering a fascinating twist on a familiar pastime.

Explore the hilariously mixed reputation of fruitcake, often seen as the holiday equivalent of a passed-around joke. Discover its ancient Roman origins and how dried fruits led to fruited breads in the Middle Ages. From Italian panforte to British plum pudding, regional variations abound. Uncover how 16th-century sugar transformed fruitcake into a Christmas staple, despite being ridiculed in pop culture by figures like Johnny Carson. Dive into quirky traditions like the fruitcake toss, celebrating this sweet, albeit mocked, holiday treat.

After World War II, the U.S. turned to bizarre strategies to make citizens feel safe from nuclear threats. The hosts explore how postwar anxiety sparked by events like Hiroshima led to the creation of the Federal Civil Defense Administration. They dive into odd propaganda, including the infamous Bert the Turtle and duck-and-cover drills. Eisenhower's national shelter policy bizarrely urged families to build their own fallout shelters, even as practicalities proved grim. The cultural legacy of this fear-driven campaign continues to echo in our media today.

Rowan Newby, a talented podcaster and musician known for the Pitches podcast, dives into the quirky world of idioms. He reveals the surprising origins of phrases like 'butter someone up,' linked to ancient rituals, and 'nip it in the bud,' rooted in horticulture. The discussion also touches on 'basket case' from WWI and explorations of 'let the cat out of the bag' and 'the cut of your jib.' With witty banter, they explore how war has shaped language and the fascinating evolution of everyday expressions.

Can people spontaneously ignite? Dive into the eerie realm of spontaneous human combustion, exploring its historical roots and cultural portrayals. Discover how Charles Dickens sparked public intrigue and how literature has depicted this bizarre phenomenon over the years. The hosts investigate famous cases, including a chilling modern example, and unravel the 'wick effect' theory that explains how bodies can burn like candles. With a blend of science and skepticism, the conversation highlights the continuing debate surrounding this mysterious topic.

Delve into the baffling world of copyright—what it is and how it originated. Discover what qualifies as an original work and the nuances of minimal creativity. Explore fan culture with music rights, and understand the ins and outs of registering copyrights and enforcing rights. Learn about the journey from the Statute of Anne to global enforcement issues. Lastly, get insights into works entering the public domain soon, including literary classics and iconic films. It's a chaotic yet fascinating ride through intellectual property!

Discover the dark origins of the beloved Rapunzel tale and its connections to real-life legends, particularly that of Saint Barbara. Explore how fairy tales often reflect societal fears and the historical significance of these narratives. Learn about the gruesome twists in the Grimm version and the absurdity of hair as a climbing tool. From miraculous healings to the fate of knowledge-holding women, the episode weaves through history's intriguing stories and examines modern interpretations. It's a fascinating journey through the tales that shaped our culture.

Dive into the whims of historic cartography and discover the intriguing tale of how everyone once believed California was an island. Explore the mix of myth and reality that stemmed from early Spanish explorations and inaccuracies in mapping. Learn about the fascinating character who popularized this misconception and the eventual resistance to the truth. From fanciful names and daring expeditions to the allure of old maps, this episode unveils the hilarious errors that once shaped our understanding of geography.