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Among the fog-shrouded streets of Victorian London, where gas lamps flicker and mysteries lurk in the shadows, we find the world’s most famous detective: Sherlock Holmes. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Holmes and his uncanny sleuthing abilities have captivated readers for more than a century. With his razor-sharp intellect, quirky habits, and very particular set of skills, Holmes is capable of solving even the most perplexing cases, while his signature deerstalker cap, magnifying glass, and pipe have become synonymous with the art of deduction.

Here we delve into the world of Sherlock Holmes, uncovering some fascinating facts about this legendary story. Elementary, you say? Fear not, dear reader, for the game is afoot!

Sherlock Holmes Was Inspired by a Real Person

Sherlock Holmes may be a fictional character, but he wasn’t solely conjured from Doyle’s imagination. The author modeled his detective’s methods and mannerisms on those of Dr. Joseph Bell, who was his professor at the University of Edinburgh. Bell was a charismatic teacher who amazed his students with demonstrations in which he could determine a patient’s occupation and other personal details just by studying the patient’s appearance and behavior. 

In 1892, Doyle wrote to Bell, “It is most certainly to you that I owe Sherlock Holmes, and though in the stories I have the advantage of being able to place him in all sorts of dramatic positions I do not think that his analytical work is in the least an exaggeration of some effects which I have seen you produce in the outpatient ward.”

Sherlock’s Iconic Hat Is Never Mentioned in Doyle’s Stories

The classic image of Sherlock Holmes almost always depicts him as wearing a deerstalker cap. Holmes’ headwear is so iconic that it’s become stereotypical among the fictional detectives who succeeded him, especially those of the comical variety. (Detective Pikachu, for example, wears a deerstalker in the Pokémon video games and the associated film.) Doyle, however, never explicitly mentions the deerstalker at any point in the entire Holmes canon.

The distinctive hunting cap only became associated with Holmes through the illustrations of Sidney Paget, who drew the detective in 38 stories for The Strand Magazine between 1891 and 1908. Paget first portrayed Holmes with a  deerstalker — a hat normally associated with hunting and shooting in rural areas — in an October 1891 story called The Boscombe Valley Mystery, because the story takes place in the countryside. The image stuck, and the hat became part of Holmes’ signature look in all his future mysteries, including those with urban settings. 

221B Baker Street Didn’t Really Exist — Until It Did

According to Doyle’s stories, 221B Baker Street — one of literature’s most famous addresses — is where Holmes lived in London from 1881 to 1904. When the stories were written, however, Baker Street was a real location but Holmes’ exact residence was not, as the house numbers only went into the 100s. In the 1930s, the street was extended and the Abbey National Building Society moved into the premises occupying 219 to 229 Baker Street. The new occupant soon began receiving fan mail addressed to Holmes. Rather than simply dispose of the letters, however, Abbey National hired someone to answer the mail while posing as Holmes’ secretary or even Sherlock himself — something it continued to do until moving headquarters in the 2000s. The Sherlock Holmes Museum, which opened in 1990, is now located at 221B Baker Street.

For Sherlock Holmes, One Woman Stood Above All Others

In a world where Sherlock Holmes consistently outwits everyone around him, one character stands out as his match: Irene Adler. Appearing in the short story “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Adler is the only woman to have ever outsmarted Holmes. She’s also one of the few people to earn his genuine admiration. Out of respect, Holmes refers to her as “the woman,” and Doyle writes that “in his eyes she eclipses and predominates the whole of her sex.” Adler’s character has been expanded upon in numerous adaptations and is often portrayed as a love interest for Holmes — but in Doyle’s original story, Holmes’ admiration for her is purely intellectual.

Sherlock Holmes Holds a Guinness World Record

Sherlock Holmes holds the Guinness World Record for the most portrayed human literary character in film and TV. When the record was bestowed on Holmes in 2012, he had been portrayed 254 times in various films and TV shows. At least 75 different actors have played the super sleuth, including Christopher Lee, Charlton Heston, Peter O’Toole, Roger Moore, John Cleese, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robert Downey Jr. Even more adaptations remain in development, proving Holmes remains as popular and mesmerizing as ever, nearly a century and a half after he solved his first mystery.

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Each year, at the beginning of November, people in Mexico and many other parts of Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead. It’s not as somber as it may sound: People open their homes to warmly welcome back the spirits of lost loved ones with food, drink, and fun festivities more akin to a family reunion than a funeral. 

While there are some shared elements between the two celebrations, the Day of the Dead is not the same thing as Halloween: Its roots extend back thousands of years, originating from ancient Mesoamerican customs that, over time, fused with Spanish culture. Today, the holiday’s distinctive sugar skull imagery is widely recognized, and the success of films such as Pixar’s Coco has introduced the Day of the Dead to a whole new audience. But these hardly scratch the surface of the holiday’s rich traditions. Here are five fascinating facts about the Day of the Dead that may be new to you.

It’s Not Quite Mexico’s Version of Halloween

Despite its famous skull and skeleton imagery — and the fact that it’s celebrated very close to October 31 — the Day of the Dead isn’t the same as Halloween. Rooted in ancient Mesoamerican traditions and observed primarily on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of life and death that honors deceased loved ones. 

The holiday wasn’t widely celebrated by Latinos in the U.S. until the 1970s and 1980s; around this time, artists and activists introduced the tradition to their communities as part of the Chicano movement, which promoted Mexican American heritage and empowerment. As the holiday became more visible in the U.S., its similarities meant it often got lumped in with spooky season, and in recent years, the holiday has indeed begun adopting certain Halloween traditions.

Children celebrating in Mexico now often dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating during the week leading up to the Day of the Dead, and the festive decor has started incorporating cobwebs, witches, and pumpkins. As the holiday continues to make room for new traditions such as candy and creepy stuff, the Day of the Dead remains a distinct cultural celebration that goes beyond spooky aesthetics, ultimately celebrating life in death. 

A Special Kind of Bread Is Made for the Deceased

An essential part of Day of the Dead celebrations are the ofrendas, or altars, that families set up to honor the spirits of deceased loved ones. The ofrendas typically feature multiple tiers representing heaven, Earth, and purgatory. Candles light the way for spirits returning to the living world, while a special Mexican sweet bread known as pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, awaits the hungry souls of the dearly departed. 

The bread is similar in texture to challah breads, flavored with anise and orange, and usually coated with sugar — it’s sometimes even made in the shape of little skulls. By the time the holiday is over, the bread is said to have no smell or taste left to it; the dead have supposedly eaten it all.

There’s a Day for Children and a Day for Adults

Although it’s known as the Day — singular — of the Dead, there are in fact two distinct days in the celebration. The first day, November 1, is also known as Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) and is dedicated to remembering and celebrating children who have departed. The second day, November 2, focuses on receiving the souls of deceased adults. The two celebrations don’t differ much aside from the offerings left on the ofrenda: In addition to the standard sugar skulls, candles, and food, toys may be offered up on the children’s day, while older family members may be remembered with other favorite personal items such as a piece of clothing or an offering of alcohol.

Marigolds Are Used To Attract the Deceased

Of the many colorful Day of the Dead traditions, the marigold flower shines as not only one of the most vibrant, but also one of the most crucial. Marigolds are traditionally known as cempasúchil in the Aztec language Nahuatl; the word means “twenty flower” and is taken from the many defined petals of the native Mexican plant. 

Marigolds bloom in abundance across Mexico throughout October and November and have been used for decorative and medicinal purposes as far back as the Maya and Aztec civilizations. During Day of the Dead preparations, families arrange the flowers’ bright orange and yellow blossoms in intricate patterns on ofrendas and at gravesites. They’re more than just a pretty decoration, though — marigolds’ strong, musky scent is believed to beckon the spirits and help guide them along their journey back home. 

Hairless Dogs and Monarch Butterflies are Important Day of the Dead Critters

The most identifiable Day of the Dead imagery may be the painted sugar skulls and sunny marigolds, but they’re not the holiday’s only significant symbols. A breed of hairless dogs known as Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolos, hold a special place in Mexican culture and are often featured in the celebrations. It’s not unusual to see them draped in flowers and wearing sugar skull costumes. The ancient pup gets its name from two Aztec words: Xolotl, the god of lightning and death, who was believed to guide souls through the underworld, and itzcuintli, meaning dog. Like its namesake, the Xolo is believed to help guide returning spirits for the holiday — a loyal companion in both life and death. 

The magnificent monarch butterfly also makes its presence known on this momentous occasion. As the orange-and-black beauties migrate south each year, their arrival in Mexico coincides perfectly with the Day of the Dead celebrations. The Aztec people have long held butterflies in high regard, viewing them as the souls of fallen warriors. Today, the winged creatures are believed to be vessels for the souls of the departed, returning home to celebrate with their beloved families.

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For more than seven decades, Carol Burnett has delighted audiences with her witty and uproarious brand of humor. The Carol Burnett Show, in particular, remains one of the funniest and most creative variety programs to ever grace our television screens. Throughout her prolific career, Burnett has excelled not just on TV, but also on stage and film, carving out a path for the many comedic female voices she inspired along the way. Here’s a look at her incredible life and career, including some lesser-known facts that may surprise you.

Strangers Helped Launch Her Career 

Burnett was born in San Antonio, Texas, and as a young girl she moved into an impoverished neighborhood in Hollywood, California. In 1951, she was admitted to UCLA, where she hoped to pursue journalism. However, the family was unable to afford the annual $50 tuition (around $605 today), and it appeared at first that her college education might be an unreachable dream. But one day, a mysterious envelope arrived in her mailbox containing enough money to cover the cost of tuition. To this day, Burnett says she has no idea who provided the funds.

Once at UCLA, Burnett switched her focus from journalism to theater. One night during her junior year, she and several classmates were performing at a home in San Diego when she was approached by a wealthy stranger. The businessman asked Burnett about her dreams, to which she replied that she hoped to move to New York City with her husband, Don, and pursue a career as a performer. In response, the benefactor gifted $1,000 interest-free loans to both Burnett and her husband on three conditions: that they be repaid within five years, that his identity never be revealed, and that Burnett would help others pursue their dreams if she became a success. Burnett held true to her word, and the loan allowed her to travel to NYC in pursuit of fame.

Her Breakout Role Was on Broadway

Before achieving fame on the small and silver screens, Burnett’s acting career began in New York City with revues at the Rehearsal Club, a boarding house for young women hoping to carve out careers in the performing arts. In 1957, Burnett took to performing at cabaret clubs around the city. She became popular for performing a parody song titled “I Made a Fool of Myself Over John Foster Dulles” — Dwight D. Eisenhower’s secretary of state — earning her appearances on The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.

Her big break came in 1959, when she booked the role of Princess Winnifred in the first Broadway production of Once Upon a Mattress. This memorable performance earned Burnett a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. The success of this gig also afforded her the ability to repay the $1,000 she owed the California businessman, a feat she accomplished five years to the day after receiving the loan. By this time a huge name in her own right, Burnett booked a recurring role on The Garry Moore Show and later headlined Carnegie Hall alongside Julie Andrews in 1962.

Her Signature Ear Tug Was a Message to Her Grandmother

From 1967 to 1978, every episode of The Carol Burnett Show ended with a sign-off song, after which Burnett would tug on her left earlobe. This gesture was actually a secret, heartwarming message for her grandmother Mae. Mabel Eudora “Mae” Jones raised Burnett for most of her childhood and often took her to the movies, which helped cultivate her love of the performing arts. Burnett has admitted she borrowed the gesture from a dance troupe she saw, who used the ear tug to say “hi” to their kids while on stage.

After Burnett made it to New York, she called to tell her grandmother she was going to be on television, to which Mae replied, “Well, you gotta say hello to me.” Burnett took this request to heart. Though Mae passed away the same year The Carol Burnett Show premiered, Burnett continued to tug on her ear at the end of each episode as a way of saying “I love you” to her dear grandmother.

She Taught Her “Tarzan Yell” to an Opera Singer

When Burnett was around 9 or 10 years old, she learned to do a bellowing “Tarzan yell,” which eventually became a trademark part of her act as an adult. During the Q&A portion of each episode of The Carol Burnett Show, audience members frequently requested that Burnett perform this comedic yodel.

During a 2013 interview with Larry King, Burnett explained she’d figured out how to perform the yell after seeing an early Tarzan film in theaters. She also noted how she taught the yell to world-famous opera singer Beverly Sills. Burnett and Sills were contemporaries who became friends while working on the 1976 musical TV special Sills and Burnett at the Met. Sills specifically asked Burnett how to do the yell, and Burnett happily obliged to teach her. Sills immediately replicated the yell with perfection and called it an excellent vocal exercise.

Each Episode of The Carol Burnett Show Was Taped Twice

Although the program had a live feel, each episode of The Carol Burnett Show was actually taped two times in front of two separate studio audiences. The first taping often stuck closely to the script, with actors delivering the jokes as written. The second taping allowed for more improvisation and ad-libbing, often resulting in even funnier jokes.

After each taping was complete, producers spliced the best moments together into a single episode that made the air. There were rarely — if ever — any additional retakes past that point, meaning if someone flubbed a line during both tapings, that mistake would be included in the final cut. In the end, this made for a final product that still emulated the feel of a single live taping.

She’s One Award Short of an EGOT

Burnett has racked up a plethora of accolades throughout her illustrious career, including several Emmys very early on — in 1962 for her role on The Garry Moore Show and in 1963 for Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall. Between 1972 and 1975, she took home three Emmys for The Carol Burnett Show, and she then won another in 1997 for her guest role on Mad About You. Most recently, she won the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special for Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love.

In addition to her numerous TV honors, Burnett was awarded a Special Tony Award in 1969, in addition to nominations for Once Upon a Mattress in 1960 and Moon Over Buffalo in 1996. She was also the winner of a 2017 Grammy for Best Spoken World Album (for the audiobook of her memoir In Such Good Company), putting her just one Oscar away from achieving the highly coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). In commemoration of a lifetime of entertainment, Burnett was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, and was also the 2013 winner of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

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Calvin and Hobbes has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers worldwide since its debut in 1985. Created by Bill Watterson, the beloved comic strip follows the adventures of Calvin, a precocious and mischievous 6-year-old boy, and his sardonic stuffed tiger, Hobbes. Together, they navigate the challenges of childhood and family life, engage in philosophical discussions, and embark on a whimsical array of fantastical journeys.

Watterson’s comic strip extended beyond the realm of typical newspaper comics. With its unique blend of humor, artistry, and profound observations about human nature, Calvin and Hobbes stood out from the crowd. During its 10-year run, it garnered a loyal and dedicated fanbase that continues to grow even decades after its conclusion. Despite its relatively brief lifespan in the world of syndicated comics — Peanuts, for example, ran for half a century — Calvin and Hobbes left an indelible mark on popular culture, influencing generations of cartoonists and readers alike, and it is often regarded as the last great newspaper comic strip. 

Here, we dive into some fun facts about Calvin and Hobbes to shed some light on the enduring legacy of this singular comic strip.

Calvin and Hobbes Were Named After Historical Figures

Calvin and Hobbes were both named after heavyweight historical figures. Calvin was named after John Calvin, the 16th-century theologian and Protestant reformer who was a principal proponent of the idea of predestination. Hobbes, meanwhile, got his name from Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century philosopher who didn’t have the highest regard for human beings — he famously described human life without governance as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Watterson was very deliberate in naming his two protagonists, with both monikers reflecting the more complex and philosophical side of Calvin and Hobbes. 

The Creator Eschewed Merchandising

In our merch-obsessed world, Calvin and Hobbes was a surprisingly and uncommonly defiant exception to the norm. Watterson strongly resisted the commercialization of his creation, believing it would cheapen the artistic integrity of the strip. So, unlike many popular comic strips (and almost every other beloved brand in modern pop culture), Calvin and Hobbes has no official merchandise beyond the comics and associated books. Watterson famously turned down lucrative licensing deals, including offers for animated adaptations and plush toys, which could have potentially made him hundreds of millions of dollars. 

Calvin Has Numerous Alter Egos

Throughout the history of the comic strip, Calvin creates various alter egos for himself. Some of these are generic personas that appear only fleetingly, while others are fully fleshed-out characters who went on to make multiple appearances. Some of the most prominent alter egos include Stupendous Man (a superhero who only ever achieves moral victories), Tracer Bullet (a hard-boiled detective who often comes to the wrong conclusion), and his most iconic alter ego, Spaceman Spiff (a spaceman who flies around the galaxy and achieves some actual victories). Other alter egos included dinosaurs, monsters, Calvin the Bold, Captain Napalm, and The Incredibly Annoying Human Echo. 

The Inspiration for Hobbes Came From the Author’s Own Cat

The character of Hobbes was at least partially inspired by Watterson’s cat, a gray tabby named Sprite. Sprite provided the long body and facial characteristics of Hobbes, as well as his personality and mannerisms. According to Watterson, Sprite was “good-natured, intelligent, friendly, and enthusiastic in a sneaking-up-and-pouncing sort of way.”

Hobbes Was a Figment of Calvin’s Imagination — Or Was He?

One of the most fun and intriguing aspects of Calvin and Hobbes is the ambiguous nature of Hobbes’ existence. To Calvin, Hobbes is very much alive — a walking, talking tiger who is his best friend and partner in crime. However, to everyone else in the strip, including Calvin’s parents, Hobbes appears as nothing more than a stuffed toy. The natural assumption, therefore, is that Hobbes is simply an imaginary friend. That, however, is up for debate, and Watterson leaves it up to the reader to decide for themselves. Watterson himself, when asked about Hobbes’ imaginary status, replied, “The strip doesn’t assert that. That’s the assumption that adults make because nobody else sees him, sees Hobbes, in the way that Calvin does … Hobbes is more real than I suspect any kid would dream up.”

The Final Farewell Strip Has a Fittingly Uplifting Ending

The final Calvin and Hobbes strip was published on December 31, 1995. After a decade, Watterson decided it was time to bring the comic to a conclusion, even though the comic was still at the height of its popularity. The last-ever strip shows Calvin and Hobbes walking across a snowy landscape, at which point Calvin declares, “It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy … Let’s go exploring!” The two friends then ride away on their sled, into their joyous wintry world. The inspiring ending reinforced the comic strip’s central message that the world is a magical place with plenty to discover and explore, as long as we embrace imagination and our sense of adventure.

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The Andy Griffith Show is one of the most beloved sitcoms ever to be broadcast into our living rooms. The series ran for 249 episodes over eight seasons, starring the iconic Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Frances Bavier as his Aunt Bee Taylor, Don Knotts as the oafish Deputy Barney Fife, and a young Ron Howard as Andy’s son Opie. Today, this TV classic is considered not just one of the greatest shows of the 1960s, but of all time. But despite the show’s enduring popularity, there are still a few interesting tidbits that may surprise even the most avid fans. Here are five fun facts about The Andy Griffith Show.

Don Knotts Wasn’t in the Original Cast

The pilot episode of The Andy Griffith Show was originally broadcast as an episode of The Danny Thomas Show, a sitcom that ran from 1953 to 1964. The pilot featured appearances from Griffith, Bavier, and Howard, but Knotts’ Barney Fife was notably missing. In fact, Knotts was sitting at home watching television when he saw the pilot starring his friend Andy. According to Griffith, Knotts called up after the episode aired and said, “Andy, you’re going to be a sheriff, you’ll need yourself a deputy.” Just like that, the character of Barney Fife was born.

Interestingly enough, rumor has it Knotts was only initially offered a one-episode contract. However, after witnessing the on-screen chemistry between the two friends, executive producer Sheldon Leonard changed his mind and offered Knotts a series regular contract. Knotts went on to portray Fife throughout the first five seasons of the show before leaving to explore new career opportunities, though he reprised his role as Fife in later projects.

The Theme Song Has Lyrics

Each episode of The Andy Griffith Show opens with that iconic sequence of Andy and Opie carrying their fishing poles down to the river. This is soundtracked by a catchy little ditty whistled by the composer Earle Hagen. Hagen, along with his writing partner Herbert Spencer, wrote the theme song without having any idea how popular it would become. In fact, the song was so beloved it was later given a title and lyrics.

In 1961, actor Everett Sloane — who later appeared on the show as Jubal Foster in 1962 — orchestrated an expanded version of the tune with lyrics, and the song was named “The Fishin’ Hole.” Shortly after, Capitol Records released a mass-produced record of the tune featuring Andy Griffith on vocals. The song featured the lines: “We may not get a bite all day, but don’t you rush away / What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin’ stones / You’ll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin’ in the shade / Whether it’s hot, whether it’s cool, oh what a spot for whistlin’ like a fool / What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by the fishin’ hole.”

The Setting Was Based on Griffith’s Hometown

While the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, was created exclusively for the show, it was inspired by Andy Griffith’s birthplace of Mount Airy, North Carolina. In fact, people and places in and around Mount Airy were frequently referenced within the fictional world of The Andy Griffith Show. Take for example the fictional town of Mount Pilot, which was located near Mayberry in the show. Its name was taken from the very real town of Pilot Mountain, which is located about 12 miles down the road from the real-life Mount Airy.

Today, the residents of Mount Airy have embraced this legacy and transformed the town into a must-see destination for fans of the series. Locations from the show that were once entirely fictional have been transformed into real-life institutions, such as Floyd’s City Barber Shop and the Old Mayberry Jail. Visitors can even take a squad car tour in a vintage police cruiser just like Sheriff Taylor drove or pop into the Andy Griffith Museum to check out some memorabilia from the show.

It Was the No. 1 Rated Show When It Ended

TV shows have a tendency to overstay their welcome and end up becoming less popular in later seasons. But this fate didn’t befall The Andy Griffith Show, which is one of only three shows in history to end its run at the top of the Nielsen ratings charts, a feat it shares with I Love Lucy and Seinfeld.

During its entire eight-season run, The Andy Griffith Show maintained a top-seven spot in the ratings, even during later seasons after the beloved Don Knotts left the program. When the final episode aired on April 1, 1968, The Andy Griffith Show was sitting firmly in the No. 1 spot on the charts. In fact, during its final season, the show was viewed by an estimated audience of around 15.6 million viewers, beating out The Lucy Show; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (an Andy Griffith spin-off); and Gunsmoke, as well as every other program on television at the time.

One Spin-off Ran for Three Seasons

Although The Andy Griffith Show came to a close in 1968, it wasn’t the last we saw of those characters. During the show’s final season, producers began work on a spin-off called Mayberry R.F.D. (Rural Free Delivery). In fact, The Andy Griffith Show introduced new characters such as Sam Jones and his son Mike during its final season, with the idea that they’d become the main focus of Mayberry R.F.D. The final episode of The Andy Griffith Show was even titled “Mayberry R.F.D.,” serving as the de facto pilot for the new spin-off.

With Griffith staying on as executive producer and appearing in a few early episodes, Mayberry R.F.D. first hit the air in 1968. The inaugural episode — titled “Andy and Helen Get Married” — featured appearances by Griffith, Knotts, and Howard. It went on to enjoy a 78-episode run over the course of three seasons before the series finale aired in 1971. But that still wasn’t all: A made-for-TV reunion movie called Return to Mayberry was produced in 1986. Sixteen original Andy Griffith cast members reprised their roles for the movie, which centers on Andy Taylor as he returns home to visit his son Opie and help his friend Barney Fife run for sheriff.