Who can really say how names are formed? Well, some linguists may know the answer to that question, but not even they know the origins for each and every name in existence today. Nevertheless, we can (to a certain extent) know the origins for some things out there in the world. And the best examples of this are things that are named after people – either those things’ inventors, or named in their honor for one reason or another. Now, with that being said, let’s take a look at 10 of our favorites.

Who can really say how names are formed? Well, some linguists may know the answer to that question, but not even they know the origins for each and every name in existence today. Nevertheless, we can (to a certain extent) know the origins for some things out there in the world. And the best examples of this are things that are named after people – either those things’ inventors, or named in their honor for one reason or another. Now, with that being said, let’s take a look at 10 of our favorites.

698 - 10 Things You May Not Realize Were Named for People

Even though we no longer live in the Dark Ages and life is more easily predictable than ever, things can still go bad at a moment’s notice. And it’s always a great idea to know what to do in those kinds of situations so that you can actually increase your chances of survival. As anyone can tell you, there are countless ways in which one person’s life can be put in danger. Here are just 10 examples, and what to do in case you are faced with one of them.

Even though we no longer live in the Dark Ages and life is more easily predictable than ever, things can still go bad at a moment’s notice. And it’s always a great idea to know what to do in those kinds of situations so that you can actually increase your chances of survival. As anyone can tell you, there are countless ways in which one person’s life can be put in danger. Here are just 10 examples, and what to do in case you are faced with one of them.

697 - 10 Things to Know That Might One Day Save Your Life

For the many achievements made by our men and women of science in understanding the world and everything in it, there are still a lot of things we don’t know, or we’re not completely sure about. Other things, while more logical for our level of understanding, are so rare that, when they do happen, they seem out of this world. So, with this in mind, let’s look at 10 such cases of rare or strange anomalies around the world.

For the many achievements made by our men and women of science in understanding the world and everything in it, there are still a lot of things we don’t know, or we’re not completely sure about. Other things, while more logical for our level of understanding, are so rare that, when they do happen, they seem out of this world. So, with this in mind, let’s look at 10 such cases of rare or strange anomalies around the world.

696 - 10 Rare and Strange Occurrences Around the World

Assassination is so ingrained in American culture that it’s practically a national pastime. Every single president since Lyndon Johnson has been the target of an assassination attempt; with plenty more before LBJ also finding themselves on the wrong end of a bullet. That’s before you take into account the lower-ranking politicians attacked, the civil rights figures, the sportsmen, the artists… All we’re saying is that, if assassination was an Olympic sport, team USA would be beating everyone but Russia.

Assassination is so ingrained in American culture that it’s practically a national pastime. Every single president since Lyndon Johnson has been the target of an assassination attempt; with plenty more before LBJ also finding themselves on the wrong end of a bullet. That’s before you take into account the lower-ranking politicians attacked, the civil rights figures, the sportsmen, the artists… All we’re saying is that, if assassination was an Olympic sport, team USA would be beating everyone but Russia.

695 - 10 Infamous American Assassins Who Are Still Alive

For awhile, it was a cliche to portray screen actors who played tough characters as effete people behind the scenes. That’s not what this list is about. No, we’re going so far in the other direction that we’re going to highlight people who made movies with pulse-pounding, high octane action, and yet it was still nothing compared to the things they did in real life. Truth might not necessarily be stranger than fiction, but it can often be more hardcore. The stories might have been related making a movie, but in the majority of cases they had nothing to do with any film production.

For awhile, it was a cliche to portray screen actors who played tough characters as effete people behind the scenes. That’s not what this list is about. No, we’re going so far in the other direction that we’re going to highlight people who made movies with pulse-pounding, high octane action, and yet it was still nothing compared to the things they did in real life. Truth might not necessarily be stranger than fiction, but it can often be more hardcore. The stories might have been related making a movie, but in the majority of cases they had nothing to do with any film production.

694 - 10 Hardcore Filmmakers More Intense Than Their Movies

Our world is chock full of amazing places. Seriously, go out your front door, start walking in any random direction, and chances are that you’ll probably hit something interesting within a few hours. It could be a meadow, a groovy street you’ve never visited before, a windswept stretch of coastline, or even just an all you can eat noodle bar offering free drinks to every unshaven customer. Hey, amazing is a relative concept.

Our world is chock full of <a href="https://www.toptenz.net/10-must-visit-tourist-attractions-united-states.php" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">amazing places</a>. Seriously, go out your front door, start walking in any random direction, and chances are that you’ll probably hit something interesting within a few hours. It could be a meadow, a groovy street you’ve never visited before, a windswept stretch of coastline, or even just an all you can eat noodle bar offering free drinks to every unshaven customer. Hey, amazing is a relative concept.

693 - 10 Beautiful Places in the World That Actually Kinda Suck

When you hear the words “big city”, what pops into your head? For most Americans, New York is the quintessential big city. For most Brits, it’s London. For those living in rural Appalachia, it might be Charleston, West Virginia, a town of about 50,000. But none of these cities are even in the top 20 most populous worldwide. Everyone knows about Beijing and Tokyo, but we bet at least a few of these places you haven’t heard of, let alone realized they were bigger than the Big Apple. And there’s a fair chance there will be a couple you can’t even pronounce.

When you hear the words “big city”, what pops into your head? For most Americans, New York is the quintessential big city. For most Brits, <a href="https://www.toptenz.net/10-important-cities-world.php" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">it’s London</a>. For those living in rural Appalachia, it might be Charleston, West Virginia, a town of about 50,000. But none of these cities are even in the top 20 <a href="http://www.worldlibrary.org/articles/list_of_cities_proper_by_population" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">most populous worldwide</a>. Everyone knows about Beijing and Tokyo, but we bet at least a few of these places you haven’t heard of, let alone realized they were bigger than the Big Apple. And there’s a fair chance there will be a couple you can’t even pronounce.

692 - You Probably Had No Idea These Cities Are Bigger Than New York..

Dictators sometimes have no choice in their evil schemes but to get violent, start calling in the troops, and use methods that create calls for condemnation all over the world. However, most leaders and their ministers of propaganda would rather find a way to trick you into going along with their way of thinking before going to such extreme lengths. It’s a lot less trouble, a lot less expensive, and gives your enemies less propaganda against you, when you can convince your own people to do your dirty work for you, or get them under your control without firing a shot.

Dictators sometimes have no choice in their evil schemes but to get violent, start calling in the troops, and use methods that create calls for condemnation all over the world. However, most leaders and their <a href="https://www.toptenz.net/top-10-wwii-propaganda-posters.php" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">ministers of propaganda</a> would rather find a way to trick you into going along with their way of thinking before going to such extreme lengths. It’s a lot less trouble, a lot less expensive, and gives your enemies less propaganda against you, when you can convince your own people to do your dirty work for you, or get them under your control without firing a shot.

691 - 10 Ways Politicians Use Psychology to Trick the Masses

Living in a world that’s so detached from nature, we often forget just how connected to it we really are. Many people living in huge cities around the world have never left their urban environments, and as a result, the natural world seems to them as foreign a concept as outer space is for most of us – we know it’s out there, but we tend to think about it more like something out of the realm of sci-fi. Nevertheless, nature is a part of us whether we feel the connection or not, and the many animals that inhabit this world right alongside us are nothing more than our evolutionary cousins – we’re all part of the same big ‘happy’ family. And like with every family, there are some traits that many of us share. It’s time for a long overdue ‘family reunion’ and see just how ‘related and alike’ we all really are.

Living in a world that’s so detached from nature, we often forget just how connected to it we really are. Many people living in huge cities around the world have never left their urban environments, and as a result, the natural world seems to them as foreign a concept as outer space is for most of us – we know it’s out there, but we tend to think about it more like something out of the realm of sci-fi. Nevertheless, nature is a part of us whether we feel the connection or not, and the many animals that inhabit this world right alongside us are nothing more than our evolutionary cousins – we’re all part of the same big ‘happy’ family. And like with every family, there are some traits that many of us share. It’s time for a long overdue ‘family reunion’ and see just how ‘related and alike’ we all really are.

690 - 10 Ways Animals Are More Similar to Humans Than You Realize

Customs around death are one of the most ritualized aspects of human existence. However, the traditions and rituals undertaken by those grieving the loss of a loved one vary wildly; one culture’s “strange” is another culture’s way of remembering Nana. Below are 10 mourning traditions that may seem strange to those who don’t follow them…

Customs <a href="https://www.toptenz.net/10-fascinating-facts-viking-funerals.php" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">around death</a> are one of the most ritualized aspects of human existence. However, the traditions and rituals undertaken by those grieving the loss of a loved one vary wildly; one culture’s “strange” is another culture’s way of remembering Nana. Below are 10 mourning traditions that may seem strange to those who don’t follow them…

689 - 10 Unusual Mourning Practices

Entertaining and educational top 10 lists from the guys who brought you the TopTenz YouTube channel. Brand new episodes every single day!

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What would happen if everyone in the world had an IQ score over 200 points? This is a type of intelligence that only comes along every so often. An IQ level of 200 is as high, or higher, than the theoretical IQs of history’s greatest minds like Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Isaac Newton.

What would happen if everyone in the world had an IQ score over 200 points? This is a type of intelligence that only comes along every so often. An IQ level of 200 is as high, or higher, than the theoretical IQs of history’s greatest minds like Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Isaac Newton.

238 - What Would Happen if EVERYONE Were a GENIUS

The world is filled with dangerous animals, capable of easily inflicting any number of horrible injuries upon you or the ones you love (such as your iPhone.) However, certain animals are consistently left out of the OH GOD RUN THIS THING WILL EAT YOU discussion. This can be dangerous, because everyone knows to be wary of a tiger, but not many people know that they could be risking serious injury by going anywhere near certain other animals. Animals like …

The world is filled with dangerous animals, capable of easily inflicting any number of horrible injuries upon you or the ones you love (such as your iPhone.) However, certain animals are consistently left out of the OH GOD RUN THIS THING WILL EAT YOU discussion. This can be dangerous, because everyone knows to be wary of a tiger, but not many people know that they could be risking serious injury by going anywhere near certain other animals. Animals like …

224 - Top 10 SHOCKINGLY Dangerous ANIMALS

While we aren’t out to paint the world as a picture of horrors, there are many things going on that you probably don’t want to know. From disgusting, to horrifying, to scary, sometimes people think they would be better off just staying in the dark. However, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so it is important to know about even the most horrifying facts. These facts will surprise you, and some will make you think twice about the world around you.

While we aren’t out to paint the world as a picture of horrors, there are many things going on that you probably don’t want to know. From disgusting, to horrifying, to scary, sometimes people think they would be better off just staying in the dark. However, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so it is important to know about even the most horrifying facts. These facts will surprise you, and some will make you think twice about the world around you.

450 - Horrifying Facts You Really Didnt Want To Know

Bad habits are easy to form and difficult to break, as the saying goes. And judging by the latest scientific research, nearly all of us are sleepwalking along in a zombie states of incessant bad habits that are threatening to completely ruin our lives.

Bad habits are easy to form and difficult to break, as the saying goes. And judging by the latest scientific research, nearly all of us are sleepwalking along in a zombie states of incessant bad habits that are threatening to completely ruin our lives.

279 - Top 10 EVERYDAY Things Youre Doing to RUIN Your LIFE

Whether you call it soda, pop, or soda pop, carbonated water with lots of sugar in it has been a staple of the beverage world since about 1867. That’s when it was first sold at druggists and pharmacists across America. At first, it was thought to have remedial effects. But of course, in the new millennium, they are actually having a really negative effect on the health of millions of people.

Whether you call it soda, pop, or soda pop, carbonated water with lots of sugar in it has been a staple of the beverage world since about 1867. That’s when it was first sold at druggists and pharmacists across America. At first, it was thought to have remedial effects. But of course, in the new millennium, they are actually having a really negative effect on the health of millions of people.

302 - Top 10 ORIGIN Stories About SOFT DRINKS

There are a lot of things we take for granted, things we believe are a certain way and have accepted as true. Many of these things are a part of everyday life, and we would likely be lost without them. It turns out, however, that with many of these things we are either not getting the full picture, or we are being deliberately deceived. Below are ten ways the world is lying to you.

There are a lot of things we take for granted, things we believe are a certain way and have accepted as true. Many of these things are a part of everyday life, and we would likely be lost without them. It turns out, however, that with many of these things we are either not getting the full picture, or we are being deliberately deceived. Below are ten ways the world is lying to you.

126 - Top 10 Ways Youre Being DECEIVED Without Even Knowing It

I see the error with confusing Da Vinci and Galileo. We will notate this. I think the writer accidentally confused the two, because the source we listed for this in our description (see link: http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/sciurban.htm) shows the name Galileo, so we knew what we meant to write, but wrote the wrong thing. Sorry for this and thanks for the catch from our viewers. If someone dropped two rocks now, I think I would hide under one.

I see the error with confusing Da Vinci and Galileo. We will notate this. I think the writer accidentally confused the two, because the source we listed for this in our description (see link: <a href="http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/sciurban.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/sciurban.htm</a>) shows the name Galileo, so we knew what we meant to write, but wrote the wrong thing. Sorry for this and thanks for the catch from our viewers. If someone dropped two rocks now, I think I would hide under one.

258 - Top 10 MISCONCEPTIONS About the ANCIENT WORLD

In a world where fake news and false factoids are rampant, it is hard to distinguish what is true and what isn’t, especially when it sounds so unbelievable. We have gone through some crazy news stories and unbelievable tales from history and culled some of the most interesting, unbelievable facts that sound like BS, but are completely true.

In a world where fake news and false factoids are rampant, it is hard to distinguish what is true and what isn’t, especially when it sounds so unbelievable. We have gone through some crazy news stories and unbelievable tales from history and culled some of the most interesting, unbelievable facts that sound like BS, but are completely true.

281 - Top 10 More TRUE FACTS That Sound Like BS

are stories or analogies that attempt to shed light on an array of topics. Sometimes they are hypothetical situations to help us look at the world differently, or they show the paradoxes in human nature. Or they can help us visualize complicated concepts with the simplicity of a story. But no matter what they explain or illustrate, these thought experiments will hopefully mess with your mind, at least a little bit.

are stories or analogies that attempt to shed light on an array of topics. Sometimes they are hypothetical situations to help us look at the world differently, or they show the paradoxes in human nature. Or they can help us visualize complicated concepts with the simplicity of a story. But no matter what they explain or illustrate, these thought experiments will hopefully mess with your mind, at least a little bit.

337 - Top 10 THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS That Will Mess With Your BRAIN

Love them or hate them, hipsters have become a ubiquitous part of the human tapestry in many urban destinations popular with young people—Brooklyn, Portland, and Oakland, to name just a few key hipster locales within the United States. This subculture (hipsters hate to actually be called hipsters) is made up of people who consider themselves outside of the mainstream, and who have embraced a distinctive array of accessories and activities to underscore this point. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said of the difficulty in defining pornography, “I know it when I see it,” and the same approach can be applied to spotting hipsters. However, there are some helpful cues—hipsters are likely to be found among indie band devotees and horned-rim glasses-wearers, and may be dressed like lumberjacks in places that do not require any demonstrable forestry skills.

Love them or hate them, hipsters have become a ubiquitous part of the human tapestry in many urban destinations popular with young people—Brooklyn, Portland, and Oakland, to name just a few key hipster locales within the United States. This subculture (hipsters hate to actually be called hipsters) is made up of people who consider themselves outside of the mainstream, and who have embraced a distinctive array of accessories and activities to underscore this point. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart once said of the difficulty in defining pornography, “I know it when I see it,” and the same approach can be applied to spotting hipsters. However, there are some helpful cues—hipsters are likely to be found among indie band devotees and horned-rim glasses-wearers, and may be dressed like lumberjacks in places that do not require any demonstrable forestry skills.

125 - Top 10 Unexpected Things Being Revived by HIPSTERS

Animals eat other animals to survive; that’s nature. It’s cruel, but it’s necessary to the continued balance of the animal kingdom. However, some animals, seemingly just to prove that nature will always find a way to freak us out, have a tendency to eat their prey whole and fully aware that it is about to spend the rest of its life staring at a wet wall of muscle.

Animals eat other animals to survive; that’s nature. It’s cruel, but it’s necessary to the continued balance of the animal kingdom. However, some animals, seemingly just to prove that nature will always find a way to freak us out, have a tendency to eat their prey whole and fully aware that it is about to spend the rest of its life staring at a wet wall of muscle.

185 - Top 10 ANIMALS That Can Eat Living Things In ONE BITE

Memoirs usually focus on a specific time period in someone’s life, but even during this short window an author can go through transformational, life-changing events. The common denominator of these memorable memoirs is that you can imagine yourself in their story.

Memoirs usually focus on a specific time period in someone’s life, but even during this short window an author can go through transformational, life-changing events. The common denominator of these memorable memoirs is that you can imagine yourself in their story.

122 - Top 10 Memorable MEMOIRS That Could Change Your Life

As we mentioned in our first list about mind bending theories about the universe, the universe is a vast and mysterious place. For centuries, people have looked out into space and tried to explain why we’re here and where we came from. While it may take even more centuries before any of those questions are answered, it doesn’t mean scientists don’t have theories.

As we mentioned in our first list about mind bending theories about the universe, the universe is a vast and mysterious place. For centuries, people have looked out into space and tried to explain why we’re here and where we came from. While it may take even more centuries before any of those questions are answered, it doesn’t mean scientists don’t have theories.

298 - Top 10 More MIND BLOWING Theories About the UNIVERSE

Many animals unfortunately suffer from a rather negative image in human culture, regarded by us as frightening, disgusting or just plain lowly. Nature, however, has no “vermin” or “pests” – all things have their place in the natural order of things, and in most cases, the benefits of an organism far outweigh its (accidental) inconveniences. Even animals many of us find “ugly” are only demonstrating the perfect body shape for their particular ecological niche. Open up your mind a little, and you just might find some beauty in something that once made your skin crawl.

Many animals unfortunately suffer from a rather negative image in human culture, regarded by us as frightening, disgusting or just plain lowly. Nature, however, has no “vermin” or “pests” – all things have their place in the natural order of things, and in most cases, the benefits of an organism far outweigh its (accidental) inconveniences. Even animals many of us find “ugly” are only demonstrating the perfect body shape for their particular ecological niche. Open up your mind a little, and you just might find some beauty in something that once made your skin crawl.

316 - Top 10 MISUNDERSTOOD CREATURES

The universe is a vast and mysterious place, and there are so many scenarios where almost anything can happen. Have you ever considered what would happen if the Earth doubled in size? Or what would happen if the super-continent Pangaea never broke up? Even if you haven’t thought of those specific questions, these ‘what if’ scenarios show how amazing and mind boggling the Earth and the universe can be.

The universe is a vast and mysterious place, and there are so many scenarios where almost anything can happen. Have you ever considered what would happen if the Earth doubled in size? Or what would happen if the super-continent Pangaea never broke up? Even if you haven’t thought of those specific questions, these ‘what if’ scenarios show how amazing and mind boggling the Earth and the universe can be.

370 - Top 10 Crazy WHAT IF Scenarios

Sequels are a funny thing. Sometimes they improve upon an existing franchise and add to the overall story and established mythos, and sometimes they’ll ruin everything. But sometimes, just sometimes, they’ll disappear into total obscurity. Here are 10 sequels to a variety of things you probably had no idea existed.

Sequels are a funny thing. Sometimes they improve upon an existing franchise and add to the overall story and established mythos, and sometimes they’ll ruin everything. But sometimes, just sometimes, they’ll disappear into total obscurity. Here are 10 sequels to a variety of things you probably had no idea existed.

123 - Top 10 SEQUELS You Didnt Know Existed

Most of us understand that discrimination is a bad thing: if you deliberately act like an ass toward someone just because of their race, gender, or sexuality, you’re officially pond scum. But not everyone who engages in discriminatory practices picks such obvious targets. Sometimes, it turns out that we like to hate on people for reasons best described as “ridiculous.” Here are ten forms of discrimination that, while perhaps not pure evil, are definitely completely absurd:

Most of us understand that discrimination is a bad thing: if you deliberately act like an ass toward someone just because of their race, gender, or sexuality, you’re officially pond scum. But not everyone who engages in discriminatory practices picks such obvious targets. Sometimes, it turns out that we like to hate on people for reasons best described as “ridiculous.” Here are ten forms of discrimination that, while perhaps not pure evil, are definitely completely absurd:

186 - Top 10 Groups You Didnt Know Are Discriminated Against

The universe is a huge and mysterious place with numerous galaxies and stars1. In our Solar System, we have eight planets which orbit our sun. They are named Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Our planets are very different from each other and are unique in their own special way. Jupiter, in particular, is an incredible planet with many astonishing facts. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Jupiter:

The universe is a huge and mysterious place with numerous galaxies and stars1. In our Solar System, we have eight planets which orbit our sun. They are named Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Our planets are very different from each other and are unique in their own special way. Jupiter, in particular, is an incredible planet with many astonishing facts. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Jupiter:

102 - Top 10 Interesting Facts About Jupiter

Since 1955 when President Eisenhower approved it as a test site, Area 51 has become shorthand for “scary secret government facility used to keep paranormal secrets.” It remains enough of a pop culture touchstone that as recently as 2015, the director of Paranormal Activity released a terrible movie on the subject. While we can’t say with complete certainty that nothing supernatural is stored or tested at Area 51 (just like we can’t say that with complete certainty about every other government facility) there are many interesting things we do know about the famous testing place one hundred miles north of Las Vegas, NV in the Groom Lake Bed.

Since 1955 when President Eisenhower approved it as a test site, Area 51 has become shorthand for “scary secret government facility used to keep paranormal secrets.” It remains enough of a pop culture touchstone that as recently as 2015, the director of Paranormal Activity released a terrible movie on the subject. While we can’t say with complete certainty that nothing supernatural is stored or tested at Area 51 (just like we can’t say that with complete certainty about every other government facility) there are many interesting things we do know about the famous testing place one hundred miles north of Las Vegas, NV in the Groom Lake Bed.

87 - Top 10 Things You Didnt Know about Area 51

Meditation is far more than just a religious practice; it is actually incredibly good for your mental, physical and emotional health. It is great for relieving stress, and has no negative side effects. Below are ten things meditation does to improve your health.

Meditation is far more than just a religious practice; it is actually incredibly good for your mental, physical and emotional health. It is great for relieving stress, and has no negative side effects. Below are ten things meditation does to improve your health.

187 - Top 10 Healthy BENEFITS To Regular MEDITATION

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes on global issues affecting everyone. Covering topics such as the #metoo movement, climate change, the impact of technology and some of the biggest global issues facing us right now. For anyone interested in learning more about the world, and some of the issues we're facing, pick an episode below and start listening! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!