HeyJaredJane Alexander
- Indexed articles, last 90 days
- 34
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- Sep 17, 2026
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How 16th-Century Noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory Became Known as the ‘Blood Countess’ (opens the original)
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Báthori Erzsébet, known in English as Elizabeth Báthory, was a Hungarian noblewoman who became notorious after being accused of murdering up to 650 women and girls in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. She was imprisoned for the crimes during the last few years of her life. The murders led to her being described as the most prolific female serial killer of all time. For centuries she was known as a monster, and the dark legend has even become the basis of a number of films. However, in more
5 Jobs Most Medieval Women Actually Did (opens the original)
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Contrary to what is sometimes assumed, women in the medieval period were not confined to domestic life alone. While they had more limited opportunities to work professionally during this era (commonly defined as the period from 600 AD to 1500 AD), there were a number of jobs that they did do, and which shed more light on the nature of life in this historical period. Here’s an alphabetical look at five of the jobs which were performed by women during the Middle Ages. Farming was a major part of m
Why Do We Say "Hold the Fort"? (opens the original)
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The expression "hold the fort" is often used to urge someone to take command or maintain control of a situation: Merriam-Webster defines the phrase as "to maintain a firm position" or "to take care of usual affairs." It can also be used to indicate that someone is maintaining that control on a temporary basis: the Cambridge Dictionary states its meaning as "to have responsibility for something while someone else is absent." So, what are the origins of this phrase, which has become a widespread p
The Surprising Original Purpose of Bubble Wrap (opens the original)
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"Bubble wrap" is the term for the protective plastic coating that uses sealed air pockets to softly cushion objects and prevent damage. It's frequently used for sending items by post and for transporting them in vehicles. It has also been used for a multitude of other purposes over the years, including to relieve the exam-induced stress of university and college students, as well as being deployed as an art medium. But the reason why this plastic cushioning was invented in the first place might
Why “Suffragette” Was Originally Meant to Mock Women (opens the original)
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On January 31, 1906, a Connecticut newspaper wrote: “A new word has been invented in England which seems to meet a ‘felt want.’ As the feminine of suffragist, suffragettes have come into use.” Today, the word “suffragette” is still widely used to refer to women who fought for the right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th century, and is not intended to be derogatory. However, this was not the case when the word was first coined. Here is a look at the history of how this word was originally u
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