Author: Cortlyn McCarthy

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Sept 14-20

Ancient F-words, Facebook haters, and Turd Ferguson. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Historians found the oldest known use of the F-word

A researcher at Keele University in England found three examples of everyone’s favorite four-letter word while going through some medieval legal documents from 1310 and 1311. Or technically, it was part of a longer 15-letter word… err, name?

Records showed that a man who went by Roger Fuckebythenavel was in and out of court back in the early 14th century. Or to put it in more current terms, his name was “Roger The-Guy-Who-Tried-To-Have-Bellybutton-Sex.” It apparently wasn’t his god-given name. (Ya don’t say!) But it was what people around town called him.

The historian suggested it may have been a term used for a “dimwit,” someone so dumb they might think that’s how babies are made. Or, it could have been a reference to “an actual attempt at copulation by an inexperienced youth, later reported by a rejected girlfriend.” In other words, “14th century revenge porn.”

Stephen Rannazzisi admitted he lied about 9/11

Season 7 of “The League” had just premiered on FXX when fans discovered one of the main actors on the show had been lying for years about being in the Twin Towers on 9/11. He claimed he was working at Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor of the South Tower when the first plane hit. But he never worked for Merrill Lynch, and they didn’t even have an office there at the time. The lie coming to light basically ended his career.

Facebook announced a “dislike” button

People had been calling for a 👎 option for years, and Zuck suggested it might finally happen, but it never came to fruition. Facebook instead added its “Reactions” emojis in 2016: 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😲, 😢, and 😡. They apparently decided that an actual thumbs down button might begin to sow hatred and anger in an environment that’s otherwise filled with constructive and well-meaning content. 👀

A “Jeopardy” contestant got Alex Trebek to say “Turd Ferguson”

Contestant Talia Lavin didn’t know the answer to the Final Jeopardy question. So she wrote, “What is The Love Ballad of Turd Ferguson (p.s. Hi Mom).” Fans of Norm MacDonald’s Burt Reynolds character in the “SNL” sketch reveled in the stunt, with Mashable.com calling her an “American hero.”

Cinnamon Toast Crunch debuted a selfie stick spoon

The gimmicky product was intended for the social media addicted and chronically self-absorbed. Folks who made it to the CTC website fast enough were able to score one for free, plus $7 shipping – a $7 they’ll never get back.

A guy won the lottery, didn’t tell his wife, and divorced her

It happened in China. He won $725,000, filed for divorce, and didn’t claim the prize until the split was finalized. He got his wife to sign the divorce papers by offering to take on all $40,000 of their debt… without mentioning he was sitting on much more than that. A judge ordered him to pay her $180,000, and he still had to cover the debt himself.

Arnold Schwarzenegger took over “Celebrity Apprentice”

Donald Trump was running for president and couldn’t do it anymore. “The New Celebrity Apprentice” lasted only a season before Arnold departed, blaming Trump’s divisiveness for the low ratings.

7-Eleven started delivering a “Date Night Pack”

The collection of date night essentials was only available in select cities. For $20, you got a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, a Hershey’s chocolate bar, a can of Red Bull, a pack of Trident gum, and a three-pack of Trojan Ultra-Thin condoms. #Romance

A “Mary Poppins” sequel was announced

Eventual star Emily Blunt hadn’t signed on yet. But ironically, she was also in the news the same week for joking that the Republican debate made her regret getting her U.S. citizenship. She quickly apologized for the comment. “Mary Poppins Returns” came out in 2018 and made over $360 million worldwide.

Jon Hamm finally won an Emmy for “Mad Men”

He’d been snubbed for six seasons, but finally got his award four months after the show had wrapped up that May. Other Emmy winners in 2015 included “Game of Thrones” for Best Drama, “Veep” for Best Comedy, and Viola Davis became the first Black woman to win Best Actress in a Drama Series for “How to Get Away with Murder.”

“Pumpkin Spice” Google Searches Hit an All-Time High

Pumpkin spice is no longer just a flavor, it’s a full-blown personality – and apparently, it’s got rizz.

Google Trends revealed that searches for “pumpkin spice” hit an all-time high in 2025. That’s right. Not in 2015. Not when the PSL first dropped over 20 years ago. Now. This stuff is somehow still getting more popular. Or, we’ve at least got more reasons to google it.

The PSL hype always ramps up in September, but people aren’t just looking for coffee anymore. In the pumpkin-spice-packed world we now find ourselves in, it’s like a full-blown pumpkin spice treasure hunt.

Google says “pumpkin spice near me” hit an all-time high in 2025, with Florida and New Mexico leading the charge on that one. Makes sense if you think about it. No fall foliage? No problem. Just drown everything in cinnamon-nutmeg fog.

Google also looked at the top trending pumpkin spice products people have been searching for ahead of fall, and you need none of these. But if you want all of them, you’re far from alone.

Top Five Pumpkin Spice Products

  1. Pumpkin spice floor cleaner. So even the soles of your shoes can smell like it.
  2. Pumpkin spice toilet paper. Hopefully, houseguests won’t have to google “pumpkin spice allergy a**hole.”
  3. Pumpkin spice trash bags. Is it acceptable to eat garbage when it smells this good?
  4. Pumpkin spice lotion. You want your whole body to smell like a Starbucks in late Autumn? That’s your business.
  5. Pumpkin spice brooms. Do you really need to sweep and mop with the stuff?

Top Five Pumpkin Spice Fashion Items

  1. Pumpkin spice pajamas. Just imagine how autumnal your night terrors will be.
  2. Pumpkin spice sweatshirts. You love it so much, and the world needs to know.
  3. Pumpkin spice shirts. So you can still broadcast that PSL love come springtime.
  4. Pumpkin spice purses. You’ve officially hit “PSL is my identity” territory.
  5. Pumpkin spice underwear. Hey… you do you.

The fun thing about that last one is you’re really shopping for one of three things: skivvies that say “PSL,” smell like a PSL, or taste like a PSL – are we talkin’ edible pumpkin spice underwear? (You know you’re ride or die when you’ve incorporated pumpkin spice into your lovemaking.)

At this point, I’m not sure where we go next. Pumpkin spice inhalers? Pumpkin spice pepper spray? Will Pep Boys finally offer that PSL brake fluid we’ve been asking for?

Mizzou Fan Burns Chance at $25k to Roast K.U.

You’ve got a chance at $25,000 if you can make a 45-yard field goal. You know you’re ride-or-die when you balk at the opportunity and blast the ball at the opposing sideline instead. 💪

@houseofhighlights

If you aren’t hating this hard you aren’t trying 😂 (Laurarowe95/x, Carter Arey) #football #collegefootball #funny #fyp

♬ original sound – House of Highlights

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Sep 7-13

Colbert’s new gig, 2015 Super Bowl favorites, one billion waffles, and drunk sex. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Stephen Colbert made his “Late Show” debut

People wondered if he could do more than just his “Colbert Report” character… and some were just disappointed the character got abandoned. His first guests were George Clooney and Jeb Bush, with musical guest Mavis Staples & Friends. In July 2025, CBS announced it would cancel “Late Show” after its 11th season in 2026.

Waffle House sold its one billionth waffle

A woman in Atlanta named Shanneil McCollum ordered (and presumably) ate it. Many people thought they should have given her free waffles for life. Instead, she got a special plaque, some Waffle House swag, and they comped her meal.

A drunk couple banged in broad daylight and did an epic interview

Kimberly  Jackson and her beau Earl Palmer got it on in the middle of a busy parking lot in Norfolk, Virginia. They went viral after a reporter asked, “Is something like this gonna happen again?” Kim’s response: “No.” Earl’s response: “I don’t know.”

Justin Bieber was the youngest male artist to debut at #1

Believe it or not, “What Do You Mean?” was also his first ever #1 hit. Up to that point, his greatest success from a charts standpoint was “Boyfriend,” which hit #2 in 2012. (“Baby” peaked at #5 in 2010.)

The Seahawks were Super Bowl favorites

Stats guru Nate Silver thought the Seahawks and Packers had the best shot, and bettors agreed. Both teams made the playoffs but lost their divisional match-ups. The Denver Broncos ended up beating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

The “Songs of the Summer” were…

Depending on where you got your music, there were four of them: “Cheerleader” by OMI was Billboard’s “Song of the Summer”… YouTube’s biggest hit was “Watch Me” by Silento… Spotify’s was “Lean On” by Major Lazer… and Google Play’s top track was “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa.

The highest-paid TV actresses were…

Sophia Vergara and Kaley Cuoco. “Forbes” clocked them both at $28.5 million in yearly earnings. Sofia’s “Modern Family” castmate Julie Bowen was third at $12 million. Meanwhile, Kaley’s “Big Bang Theory” castmates had just dominated the men’s list.

Rumors swirled that Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton were an item

Blake coyly denied he was dating his co-host from “The Voice.” They got married in 2021.

A kid fell down a well and found his missing dog

A four-year-old in Mississippi fell down a 20-foot well, and it took rescuers three-and-a-half hours to get him out. They also found his missing dog at the bottom. It had been gone for three days. He and the dog were both okay.

A high school secretary left $1.5 million for scholarships

88-year-old Lorraine Balske worked as a secretary at a Minnesota high school for 46 years. It turned out she’d left $1.5 million to a scholarship fund she helped start in 1974. No one was sure how she accumulated all that money.

This Morning Routine Can Help You Live to 100

If your morning routine is like mine, it starts and ends with a cup of coffee – and hey, if we’re (seriously) lucky, it might get us to 99! But if you want to make it to the century mark and beyond, here’s the formula.

Us roll-out-of-bed-and-crack-the-laptop types may need to set our alarm a little earlier to fit all this in. But according to the experts, it’s worth it. Doing everything on this list can add years to your life if you do them regularly.

A writer for “Real Simple“ talked to some real smart folks – experts in aging and longevity – and compiled a list of of seven morning habits that can help you live to 100. So if you’re gunning for that 100th birthday, here’s the science-backed formula to kick off your mornings – coffee included, just not as the opening act.

1. Hydrate Immediately

First things first, pour yourself a glass of water… or go outside and sip from the hose if you want, we won’t judge. Just get some agua in your body one way or another. Experts say drinking a glass of water right after you wake up helps flush out toxins, kick-start your metabolism, and support digestion. Coffee can wait. Water is the opening act.

2. Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

Hint: Not Frosted Flakes. Get in the habit of eating healthy in the A.M. Think fiber, produce, and protein – just not the kind you get from bacon. Loading up on nutrients in the morning sets the tone for the day and leaves you feeling energized. Good choices include oatmeal with berries, Greek yogurt with nuts, and avocado on whole-grain toast. But keeping meat to a minimum, especially the processed stuff.

3. Get Moving (Even Just a Little)

You don’t need to go full “Rocky IV” with it. Just a few minutes of stretching or a brisk walk is enough to boost circulation, improve flexibility, and gently wake up your body. Consistency beats intensity here.

4. Tap Into Your Nervous System, Literally

It might sound woo-woo, but “vagal tapping” (aka, somatic body tapping) is having a moment. It involves rhythmically tapping parts of your body with your fingers to stimulate your nervous system and help you feel alert and grounded. Look it up. You’ll either feel silly or swear by it forever. Maybe both.

5. Practice Mindfulness

A few minutes of deep breathing, meditation, journaling, prayer, or even just sitting in silence can lower your stress levels. It’s like giving your brain a warm-up lap before the chaos of the day. (Notice this is Step #5. If you try the sitting-in-silence one while still in bed, you might just fall back asleep.)

6. Set Your Intentions

What do you hope to accomplish today? Taking 60 seconds to lay out your goals can improve your focus, productivity, and mood – and leave you less stressed in the long run. It doesn’t need to be profound. Even something as simple as “I’m going to answer all my emails without rage-crying” counts. You can lay out your goals mentally. Or even better, write them down so they’ll really sink in.

7. Drink That Cup of Coffee

Your beloved cup of joe isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged. Studies have shown coffee (even decaf) can help support gut health and may reduce your risk for several chronic diseases. So yes, that morning cup still has a place – but now it’s the cherry on top, not the whole routine.

Of course, you can’t expect to live to 100 if you do all this stuff then follow it up with a Triple Baconator and two packs of Camels for lunch.

But if you can make all seven things a habit (or even three or four), chances are your new healthy attitude will spill over into your afternoons and evenings as well. So down the line, you may be eyeing triple digits.

“Siri, set a reminder to set an intention to not order a Baconator today.”

7 in 10 People Use Their Gut to Make Major Life Decisions

Who needs spreadsheets or a five-year plan when you’ve just got a really good feeling about it?

According to a new poll by the life insurance hawkers at LifeHappens.org, 7 in 10 Americans admit they sometimes rely on gut instincts when making big life decisions. Not research, not logic – just straight-up vibes and intuition.

Basically, we’re all out here choosing jobs, partners, and zip codes the same way we pick what to watch on Netflix: “Eh, this feels right.”

What counts as “gut instinct”?

They went pretty broad with it. A gut feeling could mean your “intuition,” the “general vibes” you’re feeling, or what you decided after prayer or reflection. So, basically anything that’s not “I fully thought this through, ran the stats, weighed the pros and cons, and here’s my decision.”

10 things we’ve decided with our gut

They asked people about some common life decisions that shouldn’t be made on a whim, just to see how often our gut influences our decision making. And spoiler alert: it happens a lot.

Here’s a breakdown of just how many of us admit to letting our instincts take the wheel when it comes to major life choices:

  • 32% have chosen a job based on gut instincts.
  • 26% have decided where to move the same way.
  • 26% have used their gut to end a relationship.
  • 24% relied on vibes to quit a job or change careers.
  • 21% have chosen a pet based on instinct.
  • 20% have made investment decisions this way.
  • 20% followed their gut to say yes to marriage.
  • 19% trusted it while accepting a first date.
  • 18% have gone with a feeling when buying a home.
  • 13% decided to go back to school based on instinct.

Basically, if it’s a major decision that could affect your career, finances, or love life, there’s a good chance you or someone you know made that call with more gut than analytics.

So yeah, we like to think we’re rational beings who look at things logically and weigh the pros and cons. But if you’re mostly just vibing your way through life, you’re far from alone.

We’ll willingly go into debt for a gut feeling

Nearly half of people said they’re also willing to follow their gut when purchasing something they know they can’t afford. If our gut says yes, so does our wallet… and we’ll just figure it out later. YOLO!

Is trusting your gut really a bad thing though?

Many would argue trusting your intuition in many (if not all) of those situations is actually the smart route to take, and maybe even a necessary one. Is it really just impulse? Or is it your brain tapping into experience faster than logic can catch up?

You could argue the “feeling” you get is just a shortcut built from patterns, past outcomes, and emotional intelligence. Or to put it another way, maybe your subconscious knows better than your conscious mind does sometimes. So while spreadsheets are great, it’s possible your gut knows what your head just hasn’t figured out yet.

It’s like a built-in tiebreaker

We’ve all been there before. You have weighed the pros and cons. You’ve run the stats, thought it through the best you can, and still can’t decide. When that’s the case, what choice do you have?

Nothing breaks a tie quite like, “My gut is telling me to ______.”

10 Things That Happened 10 Years Ago: Aug 31-Sep 6

Golden Girl sex, chugholes, c*nty crackers, President Kanye, and more. Here’s what was in the news 10 years ago this week.

Kanye announced he was running for president

He announced it during a rambling monologue while accepting the Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement at the 2015 VMAs. A poll later that week found just 6% of Americans would consider voting for him.

Kanye did appear on the ballot in a dozen states in 2020 as a member of the “Birthday Party.” A total of 66,641 people cast ballots for him in those 12 states, earning him 0.32% of the total vote.

Christina Aguilera joined a budding startup called MasterClass

The online lesson platform had launched that May, but most people didn’t hear about it until Aguilera signed on to be one the their first instructors. Other early teachers included Dustin Hoffman and Serena Williams. 10 years later, everyone from Penn & Teller to George W. Bush has led a class.

A college kid went viral for driving a Barbie Power Wheel to class

20-year-old Tara Monroe was a senior at at Texas State and lost her license that March when she got a DUI. She bought a pink Barbie Power Wheel on Craigslist and started taking it to class because “riding a bike sucks.”

Someone calculated how much sex The Golden Girls had

A writer for Refinery29 counted up how many dudes Dorothy, Blache, Rose, and Sophia had plowed in their life. The final body counts were based on men they dated on the show, and men they mentioned throughout its seven seasons.

Final Tally
Blanche: 165
Dorothy: 43
Rose: 30
Sophia: 25

Aldi had to recall crackers because the packaging spelled “c*nt”

The gourmet crackers’ ingredients featured rosemary grown “In an EngLISH CoUNTry GaRDen.” 🧐

https://twitter.com/nahthenmardybum/status/640820429062545408

Tim Tebow got cut by the Iggles

We were already several years removed from Tebowmania when he tried to revive his NFL career via a backup QB job with the Philadelphia Eagles. Alas, the Birds started their 2015 season with three QBs, and none of them were named Tebow. The last NFL game of his career was with the Jets in 2012.

A Marine asked Ronda Rousey to the Marine Corps Ball

She accepted the invite and made good on the promise by accompanying him to the event in North Carolina that December.

Susan Sarandon took Timothy Leary’s ashes to Burning Man

The actress left the LSD guru’s ashes inside the temporary temple that’s built to be burned at the festival each year. Several of Leary’s closest friends had received some of his ashes after he died in 1996. Most of them were sent to space in 1997, but Sarandon held onto hers. (She later admitted she also “consumed” some of his ashes at the festival.)

Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka got arrested for murder

The WWE Hall of Fame wrestler had been accused of killing his girlfriend in 1983, but didn’t face charges until 32 years later in 2015. The case was eventually dismissed 16 months later when a judge deemed him mentally unfit to face charges. He died of stomach cancer 12 days later.

The ‘official’ word for all 50 states

A writer for “Slate” asked the question, “If every state had an official word, what would it be?” Highlights included Pennsylvania (“yinz”)… Kansas (“shucky-darn”)… California (“hella”)… Texas (“hoss”)… Florida (“toad-strangler”)… Oklahoma (“quakenado”)… and Kentucky (“chughole”). (A chughole is a pothole… not whatever you were thinking, perv.)

10 Things We Wish Were “Business Casual”

Ever stared at your closet wondering if you could get away with wearing those sweatpants to work? According to Google, searches for “business casual” hit an all-time high in 2025, and it’s not because we’re all suddenly passionate about HR dress codes. It’s because no one knows what it means anymore. (Did we ever?)

The dictionary definition is “a style of dressing for white-collar employees that is less formal than business attire.” Super helpful, right? That could mean a nice sweater… or maybe a hoodie with cowboy boots depending on who you ask and where you live.

Google looked at the most popular “Is this business casual?” searches of the year, broken down by city. And something about the list tells me we’d all be wearing tees, jorts, and Crocs to the office if we knew it wouldn’t cost us that raise.

Here are 10 questionable fashion choices we’ve been Googling and where those fashion dilemmas are trending the most.

1. “Are sweats business casual?”

Los Angeles is leading the charge on this one. Shocking absolutely no one.

2. “Are baggy jeans business casual?”

Salt Lake City is ready to be living in 1998 again.

3. “Are cowboy boots business casual?”

Charleston, South Carolina, wants to make this happen. And honestly, we kind of support it.

4. “Are hoodies business casual?”

Denver’s hoping it’s okay as long as it’s made by Patagonia.

5. “Are combat boots business casual?”

Chicago’s trying to punk up the office vibe.

6. “Are flannel shirts business casual?”

San Francisco, meet Portland’s wardrobe.

7. “Are shorts business casual?”

Eugene, Oregon, you’re on the same latitude as Minneapolis. This only applies like eight days a year.

8. “Is a cowboy hat business casual?”

Kansas City, Missouri, clearly thinks the rodeo is a networking event.

9. “Are yoga pants business casual?”

Hartford, Connecticut, just wants to be comfy.

10. “Is cheetah print business casual?”

Atlanta’s out here trying to make statement pieces work in staff meetings.

In the end, “business casual” for most of us means… whatever your boss won’t yell at you for. But as work-from-home culture continues to blend into in-office life, the line between business and casual is as blurry as ever.

One person’s power blazer is another person’s cheetah print sweats, apparently. At this rate, the only universal rule might be if you have to Google it, maybe toss on a button-down instead.

Four 2025 Trends That May Already Be Fizzling

Remember when everyone wanted a Labubu doll? Kids, celebs, grown men named Dave – they all desperately needed one. But now Dave couldn’t care less, and he’s not alone. He’s just moving on with the rest of us.

According to Google, those viral Labubus that had people scrambling in the first half of the year already have some of those same people yawning.

Fresh Google Trends data shows that the dolls – and several other big trends that saw massive spikes this year – have started to nosedive just as quickly.

They released stats on what’s fading fast, and spoiler: that sweater with a crustacean on it might not be the wardrobe staple you thought it was.

Let’s break down four trends that had their moment in 2025, but are on pace to fully fade by the time we ring in 2026.

Labubu Dolls

https://www.tiktok.com/@sikaba5012/video/7520630050455096582

These oddball collectible figures hit their peak in June and held steady through July, but are now free-falling in search interest. They were everywhere for a hot minute – especially on TikTok and resale sites – but like many toy crazes before them (Beanie Babies, anyone?), the buzz likely won’t stick.

Whether it was the quirky design or the exclusivity, Labubus had a grip on the internet… then didn’t. Sure, they might stick around a while longer. (Expect plenty of kids and Kardashian wannabes to get them for Christmas.) But it’s looking like the Labubu craze may have already reached its pinnacle.

Lobster Sweaters

@lillian_harriss

My hair kept getting stuck in my lipgloss 💄 😒 I got a size medium and it’s on sale!!! #coastalstyle #lobstersweater #eastcoaststyle #eastcoastsummeraesthetic #tiktokshopsummersale #tiktokshopcreatorpicks #tiktokdealsforyoudays

♬ original sound – Country Sayings

“Fishermancore” gave us cozy cable-knit sweaters with a nautical twist, like lobsters. The trend had Gen Z’ers in Wisconsin looking like they spent their summers in Nantucket. But interest spiked in early spring and started sliding downhill by May. Maybe next year we’ll pivot to clambake chic?

Bubble Skirts

@digitalstylelab

Elevate your look with the bubble skirt—playful volume meets polished elegance😍✨ #BubbleSkirt #FashionTrend #OOTD #SummerStyle #outfitinspo #outfitinspiration #StyleInspo #SummerTrend #FashionInspo #balloonskirt

♬ origineel geluid – Digital_style_lab

Ah yes, the puffed-up fashion comeback no one saw coming (again). Bubble skirts have made the rounds across decades, and 2025 was their latest revival.

With brands bringing them back for spring, and major fashion mags declaring them officially “back,” search interest spiked in April and May.

But by summer, the internet had moved on to any TikTok video that included a “Jet2 Holiday” V.O. (Can we please kill that trend next?)

Beaded Bags

@aprilsundayy

My beaded bag collection 😍 I love them so much!! 🥰 @TJ Maxx @Marshalls @JCPenney #tjmaxxbeadedbag#marshallsbeadedbags#jcpenneybeadedbags#beadedbagcollection#fyp

♬ original sound – Sunday

These brightly colored, internet-famous purses were the accessory of early 2025, with “InStyle” claiming they were in “every cool girl’s closet.”

But by July, search trends had dipped hard, and it turned out not everyone wanted to carry a purse that doubled as a third-grade art project. Now they’re quickly starting to take up space in those same closets.

As Google points out, “trends” are called that for a reason – they never last. Past fads that got the same fast-burn treatment? Barbie pink in 2023, and the “mob wife aesthetic” that flared up and fizzled in 2024.

Moral of the story: Buy what you love, not what’s trending. Or maybe just keep the receipts.

NFL Fan Reacts to Taylor Swift Engagement

Congrats to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their engagement!!

Tay Tay fans are swooning over the details – including the size of that massive rock he slipped on her finger.

Meanwhile, every football fan with a draft this weekend is texting their buddy the same question…

@thetopicalfruit

They are finally engaged!! Congrats!! But how is this going to affect his fantasy stock? @Taylor Swift @Travis Kelce #swifttok #tightend #engaged #fyp #fantasyfootball

♬ original sound – The Topical Fruit

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