Cyrell Jackson – Topical Fruit

How Many “Chuggas” Come Before a “Choo Choo”?

Some debates never die—they just circle back with more votes. A quirky internet question we first saw pop up in 2019 is chugging along again in 2025: How many “chuggas” come before a “choo choo?”

A Reddit poll revisiting the viral debate racked up over 1,000 votes, and the results are as divided (and passionate) as ever.

The most popular response? Just two chuggas—earning 33% of the vote.

That was followed by four (25%), eight (18%), six (15%), and a small but mighty 8% insisting it’s a full dozen chuggas before the train toots its horn.

If you’re wondering why this is even a thing, it all stems from the rhythmic chant often used when pretending to be a train, usually by children (or nostalgic adults): “chugga-chugga chugga-chugga choo choo!” But clearly, not everyone agrees on how many “chuggas” it takes to reach the iconic double “choo.”

While the internet may have spoken in favor of the minimalist two-chugga camp, strong opinions persist. The hot take? One person argued that eight is the only answer that feels complete.

“One loud chugga followed by three quieter chuggas repeated twice. ‘CHUGGA chugga chugga chugga, CHUGGA chugga chugga chugga, CHOO-CHOO!!’

If you’re out here doing 12, you might be trying too hard.

Someone else in the Reddit comments suggested 14, and was met with the response, ” Bro out here saying chugga chugga for an eternity.”

As silly as the debate is, it taps into something universal: our collective love for low-stakes internet arguments that somehow feel very important. And like all great debates—pineapple on pizza, the correct way to hang toilet paper—this one’s bound to roll back around in another few years.

Until then, count your chuggas wisely.

8 Country Stars Who Posed Nude

Country music may have a reputation for being down-home and wholesome, but even in Nashville, some artists have pushed boundaries—and occasionally dropped their clothes to make a statement.

From artistic expression to advocacy, these eight country stars stripped down for photo shoots and appearances that made headlines. Here’s a look at the boldest moments when country music met skin.

1. The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks)

In 2003, the trio appeared nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly—strategically covered by slurs and headlines they’d been called—after backlash over their comments on President George W. Bush. It was both a defiant and vulnerable response to controversy.

2. Orville Peck

The masked singer known for blending outlaw country with queer identity posed nude for Paper magazine in 2024, embracing both mystery and vulnerability in a striking visual departure from his usual fringed persona.

3. LeAnn Rimes

In 2020, Rimes posed nude in a powerful photoshoot supporting World Psoriasis Day, raising awareness about the condition she’s battled since childhood.

4. Keith Urban

Urban graced Playgirl in 2002, posing nude with a guitar cleverly placed for modesty. He later joked, “Luckily I play guitar and not harmonica.”

5. Kacey Musgraves

Never one to shy away from bold statements, Musgraves performed nude (strategically lit) on Saturday Night Live in 2021. She later appeared nude again for an alternate album cover for Deeper Well.

6. Shania Twain

Twain went topless in a 2022 cover shoot promoting her single “Waking Up Dreaming,” marking a bold and stylish return to the spotlight.

7. Darryl Worley

The “Have You Forgotten?” singer bared all for Playgirl in 2007. His appearance was a surprising twist for fans used to his patriotic ballads.

8. Kelsea Ballerini

In 2022, Ballerini went topless in a teaser for a new song, but only her back was visible. Does that even count?

How to Pick the Perfect Watermelon—No Psychic Abilities Required

When it’s sweltering outside –– the kind of heat that turns your steering wheel into a branding iron –– a cold, juicy slice of watermelon can hit the spot. That is, unless you picked a bad one.

So, how do you choose the right watermelon? According to the food experts at Simply Recipes, there’s more to it than just knocking on it and hoping for the best.

Check the Field Spot

Flip your watermelon over and look for the part where it sat on the ground. A ripe melon will have a buttery yellow or creamy field spot. If it’s white or pale green, it likely hasn’t had enough time to ripen in the sun.

Look for Brown Webbing

Those coarse, brown lines running along the skin? That’s called “webbing,” and it’s actually a great sign. It usually means the watermelon has been well-pollinated, which translates to more sweetness inside.

Skip the Damaged Ones

This seems obvious, but not all blemishes are created equal. A little surface scratching is fine, but avoid melons with deep cuts, dents, or bruises. If it looks like it had a rough ride to the store, it probably tastes like it too.

Buy In Season

Timing is everything. April through September is peak watermelon season, with the best-tasting melons arriving in stores and markets. Buy outside that window, and you’re basically playing fruit roulette.

But What About That “Knock Test”?

Ah yes—the age-old tradition of slapping watermelons like you’re interrogating them. The theory is that a ripe melon sounds hollow and dull, while an unripe one gives off a high-pitched ping. But let’s be real: unless you’re a melon whisperer, this method is more art than science.

Still, it’s kind of fun. And if nothing else, it kinda looks like you know what you’re doing.

Viral Chore List Sparks Debate Over Parenting Styles

Is today’s generation of kids too soft?

That’s the question lighting up social media, after one man shared the very detailed list of chores his dad assigned him as a kid—and people have some strong opinions.

The man posted the list on Threads, noting that it all started when he was just eight years old. He says his dad was “the coolest man on Earth,” but also ran a pretty tight ship. “Hella structure and rules,” he wrote.

And he wasn’t kidding.

The list breaks chores down by daily, weekly, and monthly expectations, covering everything from bed-making and trash duty to scrubbing the toilet and deep-cleaning the basement.

Even before-school routines were regimented: bed made, breakfast eaten, homework double-checked, and out the door on time. After school? Get changed, finish all homework, check in before dinner, and be inside before 9. Then dishes, trash, shower, and lights out by 10.

On top of that, each week had its own themed cleaning session. Monday was trash and liners. Sunday was full laundry—including ironing school clothes (yes, ironing). And each Saturday of the month brought its own deep-cleaning assignment: bathroom, kitchen, basement, and finally, the front and back of the house.

As you might guess, the internet had thoughts.

Some commenters were impressed, praising the structure and saying it taught discipline, responsibility, and time management. Others felt it was too intense for a child, arguing that kids need some free time that doesn’t involve bleach or a vacuum.

Still, the post struck a chord—especially with those who grew up in homes where “chores” weren’t optional, they were just life. The bigger takeaway for many was that structure, even if it sounds rigid by today’s standards, helped set kids up for adulthood in a way participation trophies and unlimited screen time maybe don’t.

Whether you see it as admirable parenting or old-school overkill, one thing’s clear: we’re all a little nostalgic for the days when “clean your room” actually meant cleaning your entire room… not just shoving stuff under the bed and calling it a win.

Sydney Sweeney’s Bra-Stunt at the Hollywood Sign Might Cost Her

Sydney Sweeney just pulled a Hollywood power move—and might end up paying for it.

The Euphoria and Anyone But You star recently scaled the iconic Hollywood sign under the cover of nightfall and hung strings of bras from the letters. Why? To promote her new lingerie line, Syrn. Because nothing says “bold brand launch” like draping undergarments across one of the most recognizable landmarks on Earth.

But there’s one small issue: she wasn’t exactly supposed to do that.

While Sweeney reportedly did get permission to film near the sign, she did not have clearance to climb it, touch it, or accessorize it with a Victoria’s Secret explosion. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce owns the sign and holds the intellectual property rights tied to it. So naturally, they were not amused when the bras made their surprise cameo.

They’ve since sent her a strongly worded letter—translation: lawyer talk is incoming—asking her to get in touch to work out an “agreement” for using their property. That’s usually code for “let’s talk about how much you’re going to pay us.”

To be fair, the stunt definitely delivered on spectacle. Sydney had a whole camera crew capturing the moment, and video of her climbing the sign is already making the rounds online. It’s guerrilla marketing at its most glamorous… and riskiest.

While the Hollywood sign has seen its share of antics over the years (remember when it was changed to say “Hollyweed”?), the Chamber of Commerce has been increasingly protective of it in recent years, especially when commercial ventures try to use it without paying up.

No official lawsuit has been filed yet, but depending on how negotiations go, this could turn into one very expensive lingerie photoshoot.

Sydney may be facing some legal headaches, but from a branding perspective? Mission accomplished. Syrn is now a household name, and the bras-on-the-sign image is already seared into social media feeds everywhere.

So yes, she might have to write a check… but she also just pulled off one of the boldest fashion launches in recent memory.

The U.S. Has Four of the Fakest Cities in the World

According to a new study, America might be leading the world in more than just fast food and reality TV—we’re now officially home to four of the fakest cities on the planet.

A ranking from travel insurance provider InsureAndGo analyzed over 1.3 million Google Maps reviews across 144 global cities, looking for mentions of “authentic,” “local,” or “traditional” experiences—and trying to avoid words like “tourist trap” and “overpriced.” The result? A list of the 10 least authentic cities in the world. And taking the top (or bottom?) spot: Chicago, Illinois.

Yep, Chicago was crowned the world’s #1 least authentic city, edging out famously over-touristed places like Venice, Italy, and Las Vegas, Nevada, which landed at #2 and #3, respectively. In total, four U.S. cities made the list, with Nashville (at #4) and Boston (at #6) also getting called out for being more “for show” than substance.

Here’s the full list of the world’s fakest destinations:

Chicago, Illinois
Venice, Italy
Las Vegas, Nevada
Nashville, Tennessee
Hobart, Australia
Boston, Massachusetts
London, England
Singapore
Sydney, Australia
Brussels, Belgium

If you’re surprised that Los Angeles didn’t make the cut, you’re not alone. The report jokingly nods to that irony—L.A. might be so inauthentic, it’s actually authentic at this point.

Meanwhile, cities topping the most authentic list include Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Taipei, Taiwan. Not a single American city cracked the top 20 for authenticity. Ouch.

So what makes a city feel fake to travelers? According to the study’s metrics, it’s all about the vibe: is your experience shaped by overpriced souvenir shops, gimmicky attractions, and cookie-cutter tours? Or are you getting something that feels real and rooted in local culture?

Either way, maybe this is a sign that it’s time to venture a little farther off the beaten path. Or at the very least, skip the $20 tourist trap hot dog and try something the locals actually eat.

The Funniest Things Americans Got Stuck in Their Butts Last Year

Every year, Defector.com does the brave, butt-clenching work of combing through the federal database of emergency room visits to uncover the most bizarre (and hilarious) objects Americans managed to get lodged inside themselves.

And 2025 did not disappoint.

If you’re wondering how items like a turkey baster, a sandal, and even a doorknob ended up where the sun doesn’t shine, you’re not alone. But yes, all of them made this year’s highlight reel of “unexpected insertions.”

Among the 50 unfortunate—and extremely creative—entries were:

A shampoo bottle, with the classic excuse: “I slipped in the shower.” (Sure, buddy.)
A full-sized baseball, reportedly for “curiosity.”
A pair of pliers used to retrieve a lost sex toy… which also got stuck. (That’s irony you can feel.)
A light bulb (a classic mistake with an extremely risky glow-up).
And a handful of uncooked pasta, because nothing says “al dente” like a trip to the ER.

Men and women both had, let’s say, unique entries. The women’s list included a Tide Pod, a plastic mermaid, and—somehow—two spoons. The men’s side? Oh, just your everyday chess piece, apple core, paperclip, guitar string, and an Allen wrench. One guy even managed to insert a pair of headphones. We assume he was just trying to feel the bass differently.

While it’s easy to laugh (because it’s honestly very funny), we also owe a big round of applause to the medical professionals who remove these things with a straight face and probably a lot of internal screaming.

So, whether you’re spring-cleaning your nightstand or trying to spice up your weekend, maybe keep this list in mind. And remember: If it doesn’t have a flared base… it doesn’t belong there.

More Than Half of Americans Want to End Daylight Saving Time for Good

It’s that time of year again. Or rather, it was. Daylight Saving Time just ended, and if you didn’t even notice, you can thank your phone for doing the heavy lifting.

But while the clocks quietly adjusted themselves, the public’s opinion was anything but silent: Americans are officially over it.

A new poll shows that 54% of Americans want to stop changing the clocks altogether. Only 40% still want to keep it, and enthusiasm for the twice-a-year ritual is at an all-time low. In fact, just a few weeks ago, another poll showed support for the current system was down to a measly 12%.

This isn’t just grumbling over losing an hour of sleep in the spring. The debate over Daylight Saving Time has become one of those rare topics with bipartisan agreement in Congress.

Lawmakers on both sides have supported ditching the switch. A few bills, like the “Sunshine Protection Act,” have been floated to make DST permanent, but so far, nothing’s made it through the gridlock.

One big sticking point? If we get rid of the clock change, do we keep the later “summer” hours or go with the earlier “standard” ones? The latest numbers show 56% of Americans would prefer to stick with Daylight Saving Time year-round, while 42% want Standard Time to become permanent.

And no, letting each state pick its own system isn’t the answer. That’s a recipe for chaos. Imagine road-tripping across four time zones without ever leaving the Midwest.

The federal government has the power to settle this, and with Republicans currently in control, they could technically make it happen. In fact, Republican Senator Rick Scott tried to push it forward last month. His proposal had support from both parties and even a presidential nod from Donald Trump. But Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton threw cold water on the plan, warning that permanent DST would mean darker mornings, which he argues would be especially rough on school kids and early-shift workers.

So for now, we’re still stuck with the clock switch. But if public opinion keeps trending this way, don’t be surprised if the next time you “fall back,” it’s for the last time.

When Are Kids Too Old to Trick-or-Treat? Here’s What People Think

Is there an expiration date on free candy? A new survey has sparked debate over one of Halloween’s most controversial questions: How old is too old to go trick-or-treating?

According to the poll, 12 years old is the most popular cutoff, with 12% of people saying that’s when kids should hang up their pillowcases. Coming in close behind are ages 13, 14, 15, and 16. A tiny but shockingly stern 5% think 10 is too old, which sounds like the kind of rule made by someone who also yells at clouds.

But here’s the twist: the most popular answer by far wasn’t an age at all.

A full 26% of people said there shouldn’t be an age limit for trick-or-treating at all. So if your 17-year-old cousin shows up in a killer costume, maybe don’t slam the door in his face.

Of course, enthusiasm tends to go down if the costume is just a hoodie and a muttered “I’m a serial killer, they look like everyone else.” Effort matters, people.

And while we’re on the subject of Halloween etiquette, the survey also asked what people plan to do when trick-or-treaters come knocking. Good news: 61% say they’ll be handing out candy like the Halloween heroes they are. Another 21% admit they’ll be pretending not to be home, and 10% say they’re still undecided (possibly waiting to see how many mini Snickers they can eat before the 31st). Then there’s the 2% of cold-hearted ghouls who say they’ll answer the door just to tell kids they’re not giving out candy. Bold move.

Whether you’re team “free candy for all ages” or firmly in the “12 and under only” camp, one thing’s for sure: Halloween continues to stir up strong opinions.

And if you’re a teenager hoping to keep the tradition alive, maybe just skip the hoodie and go all in on something spooky, funny, or clever.

After all, candy tastes better when it’s earned with a little effort.

Caramel Apples Might Be Delicious, But They Could Be Deadly

If you’ve been proudly DIYing caramel apples every Halloween, here’s something that might ruin your sweet tradition forever (or at least give you a serious reason to eat them all in one sitting)…

Caramel apples can become deadly if you don’t eat them fast enough. Like, actual deadly.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin once traced a Listeria outbreak that killed seven people back to – brace yourself – caramel apples. That’s right. Not raw chicken. Not week-old potato salad. Caramel-covered fruit-on-a-stick.

So, what’s the deal? The problem starts when you dip the apple in hot caramel. You might think the heat would zap any bacteria, but nope. Instead, the caramel creates a cozy, sticky blanket that traps bacteria in place and gives it a perfect little incubator to multiply. Toss it in the fridge afterward, and you’ve basically set up a slow-cooker for germs.

Things get even worse if you let them sit for a while. The wooden stick you jam into the apple can give bacteria a little entry point and a place to thrive. It’s like a bacteria Airbnb—fully insulated, great location, long-term rental.

Thankfully, the fix isn’t that complicated. Scientists say if you really wash your apples thoroughly before dipping, and eat them within a few days, you’ll probably be fine. Key word: probably. The danger zone sets in if they hang out in your fridge for weeks. So unless you’re planning to eat them fresh, maybe skip them altogether.

If that sounds too risky for your snack plan, there are a million other ways to mainline sugar this spooky season. Try gummy worms, a mountain of candy corn, or just drink a milkshake like a normal Halloween adult.

Because no one wants their obituary to say “taken out by caramel.” Not when there are still so many other desserts to live for.