Did You Know?

In medieval Europe, animals could be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church would sometimes excommunicate animals considered problematic, such as swarms of locusts or rats. These ceremonies followed the same format as human excommunications and were believed to invoke divine intervention against pest problems.

Did You Know?

Ancient Roman soldiers would drink vinegar mixed with water as an energy drink.

This mixture, called posca, was a standard military drink that helped prevent waterborne illness and provided energy. The...

Read more: Ancient Roman soldiers would drink vinegar mixed with water as an energy drink.

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Japanese businessmen would hire ‘wakaresaseya’ (breakup agents) to end relationships.

These professional relationship breakers would be hired to orchestrate situations leading to breakups or divorces. This practice emerged...

Read more: Japanese businessmen would hire ‘wakaresaseya’ (breakup agents) to end relationships.

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The Aztecs believed turquoise would prevent illness if inserted in the nose.

They would place small pieces of turquoise in their nose piercings, believing it would ward off sickness. This...

Read more: The Aztecs believed turquoise would prevent illness if inserted in the nose.