When you think about jet‑setting across the globe, the usual mantra is to zip through the terminal, grab a coffee, and be on your way to the next destination. Yet, for the curious traveler, the airport itself can become a highlight of the journey. In this roundup of the 10 coolest airports on the planet, we’ll explore why each hub feels less like a transit point and more like a mini‑vacation.

From sprawling botanical gardens and indoor waterfalls to on‑site breweries and luxury lounges, these airports have turned the ordinary act of waiting into an experience worth writing home about. Buckle up (or rather, buckle your seat belt) and let’s embark on a tour of the world’s most inventive air‑travel playgrounds.

10 Singapore Changi Airport

According to Skytrax’s annual World Airport Awards, Singapore’s Changi Airport has claimed the title of the world’s best airport for a record six straight years as of 2018. The secret sauce? A masterful blend of nature and technology. Each terminal houses its own themed garden—think sunflower fields, butterfly sanctuaries, and tranquil Asian‑style ponds that whisper serenity to even the most frazzled flyer.

If you’re less of a botanist and more of a leisure seeker, Changi offers a free movie theatre, a rooftop swimming pool, and 24‑hour spas. Of course, the essentials are covered too: plenty of charging stations, lightning‑fast Wi‑Fi, and a sleek layout that keeps you moving smoothly from security to gate.

Foodies will adore Changi’s 1960s‑themed food court, where “street vendors” serve up delectable local dishes at pocket‑friendly prices. The newest terminal was engineered with efficiency in mind, shaving minutes off the journey from check‑in to boarding. In fact, a traveler once reported a jaw‑dropping 15‑minute sprint from the security line to the gate.

The crowning jewel of this airport is the Jewel Changi complex, slated to open in 2019. Its centerpiece, the Rain Vortex, is a 40‑meter‑tall waterfall that cascades from a glass dome, surrounded by a five‑story garden, retail outlets, and kid‑friendly play zones. It’s an architectural marvel that raises the bar for what an airport can be.

9 Hong Kong International Airport

Strategically perched just five hours’ flight time from over half the world’s population, Hong Kong International Airport is a bustling hub that never compromises on passenger comfort. The airport’s culinary scene boasts more than 80 eateries, ranging from upscale restaurants with live music to quick‑serve stalls for the hurried traveler.

Shop‑aholics will feel right at home with a Disney‑licensed store, boutique fashion outlets like Giordano and G2000, and a host of other retail gems. Families can explore an interactive educational park and even catch the latest blockbusters at an on‑site IMAX theatre.

Looking for a little extra fun? Swing by the Lan Kwai Fong Bar, where the first cocktail is on the house, or simply lounge in one of the many comfortable seating areas while you wait for your next flight.

8 Incheon International Airport

South Korea’s Incheon International Airport offers a smorgasbord of amenities that turn layovers into mini‑vacations. Need a power nap? The airport features free reclining lounges tucked away in dimly lit corners, perfect for catching some shut‑eye without the usual airport hustle.

After a refreshing snooze, freshen up in the complimentary showers stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hairdryers, and towels—just bring your flip‑flops and you’re good to go.

Entertainment options run the gamut: craft workshops where you can stitch traditional Korean bags, an on‑site ice‑skating rink, cultural museums, and meticulously landscaped gardens. Incheon proves that a transit hub can be a vibrant cultural playground.

7 Kuala Lumpur International Airport

KLIA keeps travelers entertained with a dedicated TV channel lineup curated for airport audiences. If screen time isn’t your thing, the Satellite Building offers free Wi‑Fi kiosks for those who need to stay connected.

For the shop‑aholics, Gateway@KLIA2 is a sprawling mall attached directly to the terminal. After clearing customs, you can browse everything from jewelry and fashion to toys and electronics, then refuel with a bite at the food court, where affordable Malaysian dishes await.

Feeling weary? The Capsule Transit Airport Hotel provides pod‑style sleeping capsules for up to 12‑hour stays, complete with lockers, showers, and complimentary Wi‑Fi—perfect for those longer layovers that demand a bit of rest.

6 London Heathrow Airport

Heathrow has earned the reputation of being the premier airport for shopping and dining. While the restaurant scene isn’t as sprawling as some Asian hubs, it’s carefully curated with European cafés, classic British pubs, and sophisticated full‑service eateries. The Sofitel London Heathrow, perched inside the terminal, even snagged the title of the fifth‑best airport hotel.

The retail landscape spans everything from books and basic apparel to high‑end fashion boutiques. Art lovers can wander into the Terminal 5 gallery, which showcases a permanent collection of sculptures and contemporary works, adding a cultural flourish to the travel experience.

5 Munich Airport

Munich Airport proudly wears the crown of Europe’s best airport, a title it’s held for a decade and a rare five‑star Skytrax rating to boot. What sets it apart? An on‑site brewery where travelers can sip freshly brewed German lager while waiting for their flight.

Entertainment options abound: the world’s largest man‑made standing wave draws crowd‑pleasing surf contests, a mini‑golf course, aviation model displays, and a gigantic indoor slide. For those craving a quiet retreat, private sleeping cabins are available for a quick recharge.

All of these features combine to make Munich not just a transit point, but a destination in its own right.

4 McCarran International Airport

Las Vegas’s McCarran International Airport lives up to its “Sin City” moniker with a vibrant aviation museum, on‑site brewery, and a slew of pubs that keep the party rolling 24/7. Slot‑machine‑filled lounges let travelers try their luck while waiting for a boarding call.

If you’re craving a nap, the airport’s lounges are open to all passengers at no charge. For the fitness‑focused, a fully equipped gym offers showers and a sauna for a modest $25 fee, ensuring you stay limber before take‑off.

All in all, McCarran blends the excitement of Vegas with practical amenities, making layovers feel like an extension of the Strip.

3 Dubai International Airport

Tech‑savvy travelers will love Dubai International Airport’s award‑winning “Wow‑fi” Wi‑Fi, which delivers speeds up to 39.5 Mbps. Smart gates let you breeze through security, slashing the usual wait times.

For entertainment, the airport partners with ICFlix to stream unlimited movies and TV shows for free. A serene Zen garden nestled inside the terminal offers a quiet oasis, while on‑site massage stations provide a touch of luxury.

Dining options include Wolfgang Puck’s The Kitchen, one of only two Pret a Manger locations in the country, local eateries, and a Heineken lounge—ensuring that every palate is satisfied.

2 Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport

First, a quick pronunciation guide: Suvarnabhumi is said “sue‑wan‑ah‑poom,” with a silent “i” at the end. This massive hub may not have exotic attractions like museums or pools, but it excels at delivering classic airport comforts: an extensive shopping promenade, a diverse food court, and efficient flight connections that keep travelers calm.

The airport features an on‑site hotel for overnight stays, while budget‑friendly lounges and reclining chairs accommodate sleepers on a shoestring. Culinary offerings range from quick‑service bites to authentic Thai and broader Asian fare.

When you have a few hours to kill, hop on the internal train that whisks you down to the city, where Bangkok’s perpetual buzz awaits—anytime, any day.

1 Samui International Airport

Samui International Airport stands out with its eco‑friendly design: bamboo and thatch dominate the terminals, while tropical flora adds a resort‑like ambiance. The open‑air concept relies on natural ventilation rather than air‑conditioning, earning international accolades for environmental stewardship.

Though the airport’s modest size means check‑in and baggage claim can take a bit longer, the wait is rewarded with boutique shops, cozy cafés, and the Samui Park Avenue food court, which showcases local flavors. For the curious, the Samui Robot Group shop sells quirky, alien‑styled sculptures crafted from recycled auto parts.

Ready for a social media shout‑out? Follow the airport’s resident travel blogger on Instagram @lifeinwonderlandd for insider tips and exclusive offers.

Why These 10 Coolest Airports Stand Out

Each of the airports featured above transforms the mundane act of waiting into a memorable adventure, blending convenience, culture, and creativity. Whether you’re chasing a waterfall, a brew, or a quiet garden, these hubs prove that the journey can be just as exciting as the destination.

When you think about the animal kingdom, insects dominate the scene – about eighty percent of all animal species are bugs, meaning we’re sharing the planet with potentially over a million, maybe even ten million, different critters. They burrow beneath the soil, scuttle across the ground, and dominate the air. Whether you’re wandering through a jungle, strolling through a city park, trekking across a desert, or simply lounging in your living room, bugs are there – on trees, under rocks, in the crevices of your home, even on your skin and in your hair. They crawl, jump, swim, glide, and fly, and if they ever decided to wage war on humanity, we’d be hard‑pressed to win. Fortunately, they’re content to simply occupy every niche on Earth, sparing us only the extremes of towering mountain peaks, frozen polar zones, and bubbling volcanoes.

Why This Is the Top Ten Macabrely List

10 Dog Flea

These tiny, wingless parasites earn their reputation solely from an insatiable thirst for blood and a jaw‑dropping jumping talent. Contrary to popular belief, fleas don’t actually bite; they pierce the skin with jagged mandibles, then dribble a cocktail of saliva that contains an anti‑coagulant to keep the blood flowing. That same saliva is the culprit behind the irritating, itchy welts we experience after a flea’s feeding session.

While cat fleas outnumber their dog, human, and rat counterparts, the dog flea boasts the most spectacular leaping prowess. How far can it spring? Roughly 200 times its own body length from a standing start. Their bodies range from a modest 2 mm up to 8 mm (about a quarter to a third of an inch), and they sport disproportionately large heads – perhaps an adaptation for their impressive hops. Their powerful hind legs do the lifting, but the real push comes from tiny toes that act as launch pads. Who would have guessed that fleas have toes?

9 Madagascan Sunset Moth

First, let’s clear up a common misconception: moths aren’t just nocturnal butterflies. The Madagascan Sunset Moth is a daylight‑flier and arguably the most stunning member of the lepidopteran family, making it a prized specimen for collectors worldwide.

The dazzling reds, blues, and greens that adorn its wings aren’t due to pigments. Instead, they arise from optical interference caused by ribbon‑like scales that diffract and reflect light in a kaleidoscopic display. Adding to its flair, this moth sports six elegant tails, and like all butterflies and moths, it tastes with its feet – a quirky sensory trick that lets it sample nectar simply by landing on a blossom.

8 Black Bulldog Ant

Australia is a hotbed for uniquely dangerous creatures, and the Black Bulldog Ant claims the title of the world’s deadliest ant, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It can both bite and sting simultaneously, and its venom has been linked to at least three human fatalities, each resulting from anaphylactic shock within fifteen minutes of the attack.

These massive ants behave like wingless wasps: they attack aggressively, bite repeatedly, and show no fear of humans or other animals. Unlike most ants, bulldog ants don’t lay scent trails or march in orderly lines, and they live in relatively small colonies. Historically, they roamed worldwide, but today they survive only in Australia, where locals seem to appreciate their lethal reputation.

7 Hercules Beetle

Pound for pound, the Hercules Beetle stands among the strongest insects – and arguably among the strongest animals overall. Its scientific name, Dynastes hercules, hints at its superhuman strength: it can lift and carry up to 850 times its own weight, which is comparable to a human hoisting seven elephants.

Male Hercules beetles are instantly recognizable by their massive, plier‑shaped horns, which they wield in battles against rival males to win the attention of females. The victor of these duels usually ends up on his back, unable to right himself, while the victorious male earns the right to mate. Contrary to some rumors, females choose the survivor regardless of horn size.

6 Common Green Darner

Dragonflies boast independent wing control that lets them fly forward, backward, sideways, hover, and even execute ninety‑degree turns in just a few wingbeats – making modern aircraft look primitive by comparison. Among them, the Common Green Darner holds the speed crown, soaring across North America with impressive ubiquity.

This sleek predator flaunts striking blues and greens, plus a distinctive black “bull’s‑eye” spot framed by a yellow‑blue ring on its forehead. In cooler weather, it darkens its body to absorb more sunlight. Unique among its kin, the darner lays its eggs in tandem with a mate. Measuring about 76 mm (3 inches) in length with an 80 mm wingspan, it can reach speeds of 85 km/h (52 mph). Its sock‑mending abilities remain untested.

5 Brazilian Treehopper

The Brazilian Treehopper wears a bizarre crown of ball‑like protrusions on its head, a feature that has puzzled scientists. Both sexes sport these ornaments, ruling out a purely sexual function. Researchers suspect the “crown” serves as a defensive weapon, perhaps deterring predators or mimicking the grotesque appearance of a parasitic fungus infection.

In the insect world, such headgear is rare, but treehoppers seem to have made it fashionable. The crown is technically a pronotum – a body segment just behind the head – covered in hairy spheres. As for their reputation for laziness, individual treehoppers have been observed feeding in one spot for a full twenty‑four hours, which could also be interpreted as gluttony.

4 Junk Bug

The junk bug, sometimes called an aphid lion, is the voracious larval stage of the green lacewing. While the adult lacewing dazzles with its lime‑green body, large eyes, and delicate, veined wings that look more fairy‑like than bug‑like, the larva presents a starkly different appearance.

These larvae are infamous for stacking the corpses of their prey on their backs, creating a gruesome camouflage that confuses birds and predatory ants. Occasionally, they add bits of lichen or leaf fragments to the pile. The resulting heap is a ghostly white tableau, with heads and legs clearly visible against the backdrop.

Armed with sharp, hollow, horn‑like mouthparts, junk bugs stab soft‑bodied victims, then siphon out the innards like a macabre milkshake. After extracting the nutrient‑rich liquid, the empty husk is added to the growing pile, and the bug scurries off in search of its next unsuspecting prey.

3 Ladybug

At first glance, lady beetles (or ladybugs) appear harmless and charming, but beneath that rosy exterior lies a ruthless predator capable of devouring up to 5,000 insects in a single lifetime – even turning on its own siblings when food becomes scarce. The Harlequin ladybug, in particular, is notorious for this cannibalistic behavior.

Research from Rice University labels these beetles “invasive” and “sex‑crazed,” noting they emit an unpleasant odor when disturbed and are even capable of biting. Their deceptive cuteness masks a wolf‑in‑sheep’s‑clothing persona, earning them a spot on this list of truly cool, albeit macabre, bugs.

2 Dracula Ant

The Dracula ant is a blur of speed, racing across the ground at a mind‑boggling 90 meters per second – making it the fastest animal on record. Its bite is equally astonishing, ranking as the quickest recorded animal movement, snapping shut with the same rapidity as a human finger snap.

This lightning‑fast strike delivers a potent shock that stuns prey, while the queen exhibits a grim twist on parental care: she siphons the blood of her own offspring, refusing to share regurgitated food with the colony. In short, the Dracula ant lives by its own ruthless rule.

1 Twisted Wing Parasite

Parasitic relationships abound in nature, but the twisted wing parasite takes grotesque fascination to a new level. Its larval stage, a peculiar fly, seeks out hosts such as grasshoppers, leafhoppers, bees, and wasps, clinging to them before burrowing inside.

Once inside, the parasite morphs into a second‑stage larva. If male, it bursts from the host to hunt for a mate; if female, it remains within a host, exposing only its genitalia – the sole visible part, as it lacks eyes, antennae, legs, or mouthparts. After fertilization, the female’s body becomes a living incubator, feeding the developing eggs until they consume her from within, completing a chilling life cycle.

While ladybugs have been dubbed “sex‑crazed,” the twisted wing parasite spends the bulk of its fleeting three‑hour existence searching for a partner, making reproduction the very essence of its existence. Talk about a twisted love story.

If you’ve been glued to screens for far too long, you might forget that our planet is steeped in age‑old traditions. That’s why we’ve compiled the top 10 coolest folk symbols from every corner of the world, each a living reminder that something ancient still lingers in modern life.

Why These Are the Top 10 Coolest Folk Symbols

10 The Green Man, Britain

The medieval period in Europe was a whirlwind of change. At the dawn of the era, the Western Roman Empire was collapsing while Christianity was gaining momentum. By the time the Renaissance rolled in, the seeds of the Enlightenment were already sprouting. Yet, amid all this upheaval, vestiges of pre‑Christian customs stubbornly persisted. In Britain, people still twirled around maypoles, clung to ancient tongues, and recounted tales that pre‑date the gospel. Those old habits, superstitions, and visual motifs have survived into the present.

The Green Man—an ever‑present foliated head that peers out from carved wood and stone pillars inside countless churches—stands as the quintessential example of this continuity. His leafy visage, peeking out of sacred architecture, links us directly back to those earlier, nature‑focused rites.

This leafy figure is a relic of the nature‑centric religious practices that existed before the Roman occupation of Britain. He is believed to bring good harvests and to warn humanity that turning one’s back on nature invites its wrath.

Seeing such overtly pagan imagery on the walls of Protestant churches can feel odd to modern believers. However, when trying to persuade masses to embrace a new faith, leaders often grafted beloved elements of the old onto the new. The Green Man, scattered across Great Britain, proves that even the most ancient cathedrals can house older, lingering symbols.

9 Potnia Theron, the Mediterranean and Near East

The Eastern cousin to the Green Man is the “Master of Beasts,” a cross‑cultural motif showing a figure holding wild animals aloft as if they were trophies. Unlike its Brythonic counterpart, which focuses on plant life, this image emphasizes mastery over animals. Yet the true show‑stopper is the “Potnia Theron”—the Mistress of Beasts—who adds a layer of mystique.

The earliest known instance dates to around 6,000 BC: a clay figurine from the Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük in modern‑day Turkey, depicting a seated female flanked by two lionesses. From there, the motif radiated throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, symbolizing humanity’s dominion over the animal kingdom—perhaps a nod to hunting and husbandry.

Scholars admit we still don’t fully grasp its meaning. The figure appears in Mycenaean Greek religion, representing goddesses such as Artemis (the huntress) and Cybele. Artemis, originally a foreign mother‑goddess from Asia Minor, even attracted a cadre of castrated priests—a truly unique twist in Greek worship.

8 Nain Rouge, Detroit, Michigan

Shifting to a more contemporary folk emblem, Detroit boasts the Nain Rouge—a mischievous imp that haunts the Motor City. Children shudder at the legend, while party‑goers revel in the annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade that celebrates the figure’s quirky spirit.

The creature has become a hipster‑friendly mascot, plastered on trendy cafés and boutiques as a “keeeewl retro” emblem. Its origins are a blend of French colonial folklore (the “lutin”) and local Native American myth, making it a syncretic symbol of mischief and bad luck.

Despite its playful modern usage, the Nain Rouge has deep roots dating back to Detroit’s early French settlement. The legend says the imp, a small demonic being, brings misfortune, prompting the city’s spring parade to chase it away for the rest of the year.

7 Onryō, Japan

Ancient traditions sometimes get a spectacular makeover in modern pop culture. Japan’s belief in vengeful spirits—especially the Onryō, a ghost driven by a desire for revenge—has endured for centuries. In traditional Japanese lore, dishonor is a grave sin, and those wronged often return as restless phantoms.

The Onryō has leapt from folklore into contemporary horror cinema. Iconic J‑Horror films like Ringu and Ju‑On feature these pale, long‑haired specters in white funeral garb, a visual directly inspired by Edo‑era Kabuki costumes.

These ghostly figures have reshaped the horror genre worldwide, steering audiences away from slasher flicks toward supernatural terror. The legacy of the Onryō demonstrates how an ancient myth can dominate modern screens and inspire countless chilling stories.

6 El Hombre Caiman, Colombia

The Colombian coast tells a rib‑tickling tale of the “Alligator Man.” Legend says a young, lecherous fellow loved spying on women bathing in the Magdalena River. One day, a witch granted him two potions: one to turn him into an alligator for better concealment, and another to revert him to human form.

Testing the potions, the witch watched the man transform into a reptile and, delighted, threw the reversal potion into the water. Unfortunately, it only restored his upper body, leaving his lower half forever scaly and green. When he demanded a fix, the witch refused, cursing him to remain that way eternally.

The story is so beloved that the town of Plato, near the Magdalena River, erected a massive statue of this half‑crocodilian perv. It stands as a reminder that folk legends can be both scandalously funny and deeply rooted in local identity.

5 Shetani, East Africa and the Island of Zanzibar

Across Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar, you’ll encounter the Shetani—devilish sculptures ranging from dog‑headed demons to stunted hags and surreal elephantine forms. The term shares its linguistic roots with the Islamic “Shaitan” and the Christian “Satan,” underscoring a shared notion of malevolent spirits.

These eerie carvings aren’t just decorative; they play a serious role in contemporary belief. In 2001, Zanzibar experienced a panic when locals claimed the bat‑winged Shetani known as Popo Bawa was assaulting victims—a story the BBC reported as involving the creature “sodomizing” its mostly male prey.

Cultic practices surrounding Shetani persist throughout East Africa, proving that ancient mythic figures can remain vibrant in modern spiritual life, far beyond mere architectural embellishment.

4 Woyo Tribal Masks, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola

The Woyo people of Central Africa wear striking masks during ritual dances performed by the “ndunga,” the group tasked with upholding tribal law and order. Imagine a traffic cop pulling you over, only to be wearing one of these vivid, expressive faces.

These masks serve a grave purpose: they empower the ndunga to hunt down alleged criminals, witches, and those blamed for natural calamities such as droughts, floods, or failed harvests. Each mask carries a distinct “character,” revealed through the dance, reinforcing societal norms and supernatural accountability.

3 The Night Hag, Worldwide

Few motifs appear on every continent, but the Night Hag—also known as the Old Hag—does just that. This wizened, malevolent crone materializes at night, pressing down on sleepers’ chests, causing a terrifying sensation of suffocation.

Most scholars link the phenomenon to sleep paralysis, yet the dread remains. In East Asia, Buddhist monks and nuns are blamed for sending the hag into dream realms to punish the wicked. In Brazil, she prowls rooftops, descending onto the bellies of those who have overeaten, earning the name “Pisadeira,” meaning “She Who Steps.”

The Night Hag’s global presence underscores a shared human fear of nocturnal oppression, regardless of cultural context.

2 Manaia, New Zealand

Take a quick image search of Maori carvings and you’ll be greeted by a bewildering mash‑up: a serpent‑like creature, a bird‑headed humanoid, a profile‑facing figure, even a dinosaur‑ish silhouette. The ambiguity is the point.

The word “Manaia” offers no clear definition. Maori dictionaries list meanings ranging from “a grotesque beaked figure” to “ornamental work,” “a lizard,” “the sea‑horse,” and even “a raft.” Each translation hints at something decorative yet enigmatic.

Is it a raft? Perhaps you’ll drown in speculation. In related Polynesian languages, similar terms translate to “embellishment,” suggesting the designs may simply fill architectural corners on lintels and pillars.

Yet the consistency of the motif across centuries implies deeper significance. Whatever the original intent, the Manaia endures as a striking, mysterious element of Maori art that continues to captivate viewers worldwide.

1 Bhoma, Bali

We began with Britain’s Green Man and the Mediterranean’s Potnia Theron, but the island of Bali adds its own spectacular figure: the Bhoma. This fierce guardian graces temple façades and other structures, echoing the Green Man’s nature‑linked symbolism—only it looks like it could devour its counterparts whole.

In Balinese Hinduism, Bhoma is the offspring of Vishnu and the earth goddess Pertiwi. He embodies a nature spirit, crowned “King of the Jungle,” tasked with protecting sacred forests at the foot of holy mountains.

Bhoma’s fierce visage serves a protective function, warding off malevolent forces and ensuring the sanctity of the natural world. Those who underestimate his power quickly learn why he’s taken seriously by devotees and temple artisans alike.

The borders of any language are jagged, torn, and ever‑shifting, making it hard to draw a clean line between one tongue and the next. It is precisely in those ragged edges that slang thrives—a constantly evolving collection of words, phrases, and idiomatic quirks that, depending on who’s listening, can either be seen as a cheapening of a language or as the vivid splash of colour that keeps a tongue from turning sterile and overly formal.

Below you’ll find the top 10 coolest slang gems harvested from bustling city streets, remote farmyards, noisy pubs, and quiet cafés. These terms are as diverse as the cultures that birthed them, ranging from playful cant in South Africa to internet‑born acronyms that echo through Twitch chats. Buckle up and prepare for a whirlwind tour of linguistic oddities you’ll want to drop into conversation.

Why These Are the Top 10 Coolest Slang Gems

1 Gen Z English‑Speaking Internet Slang, the Interwebs

Older generations often argue that the surge of emojis and meme‑driven chatter is eroding the depth of human interaction. Some even suggest that literary giants like Bradbury and Huxley should be resurrected to remind today’s youth what “fiction” truly means. The criticism, however, overlooks the fact that language naturally adapts to its environment.

The most emblematic example of this digital‑era evolution is the string of letters “SKSKSKSKSKSK.” Typed in rapid succession, it mimics the high‑pitched squeal you hear when a streamer’s microphone catches feedback from a booming speaker. In other words, it’s an onomatopoeic way of saying, “I’m pumped!” and has become a staple of excitement in live‑chat culture.

Perhaps the backlash is misplaced; instead of lamenting the loss of traditional prose, we might look to the Wachowskis and imagine a future where this very energy fuels immersive virtual worlds. Until then, SKSKSKSK remains a perfect snapshot of Gen Z’s exuberant digital lexicon.

2 Norwegian, Norway

Picture a friend who’s an “alkis,” clutching a “sig” between his teeth, while you’re trying to decide whether you’re “keen” enough to explore the fjords. If you’ve never set foot in Norway, you might ask, “Serr?” – a colloquial way of saying, “Are you serious?” This snapshot captures how Norwegian slang condenses longer words into snappy, bite‑size forms.

In the Norwegian youth scene, “alkis” shortens alcoholic, “sig” stands for cigarette, and “serr” replaces serious. The influence of English and American pop culture is evident: “keen,” borrowed directly from English, now lives alongside native slang. These truncations strip language down to its essentials, revealing the shared roots between Germanic tongues and modern English.

Yet Norwegian isn’t merely a reduced version of English. It boasts uniquely Norwegian idioms that make sense only in a Nordic context. For instance, stumbling upon an unexpected delight might prompt you to exclaim, “En rosin i polsen,” literally “a raisin in the sausage.” Conversely, if someone pitches a bizarre business idea—like turning leftover ham into sustainable T‑shirts—you might retort, “Har durøykasokkadine?” meaning “have you been smoking your socks?” Such phrases illustrate the playful, sometimes baffling nature of Norwegian slang.

3 Medical Slang, British Hospitals

Within the NHS, doctors and nurses have cultivated a discreet shorthand to discuss patients whose injuries could have been avoided. This linguistic code helps staff convey frustration without sounding unprofessional. Acronyms like “UBI” (Unexplained Beer Injury) and “PAFO” (Pissed and Fell Over) pepper their conversations, offering a cheeky way to label common mishaps.

The most notorious of these terms is “NFN,” standing for “Normal for Norfolk.” The phrase alludes to a stereotype that rural Norfolk produces a surplus of inbred farm boys. As the fictional broadcaster Alan Partridge once quipped, “I’ve seen the big‑eared boys on farms,” the term has become a tongue‑in‑cheek jab at the region’s perceived lack of sophistication.

4 Quebecois/Joual, Canada

Many claim that to hear the true flavor of 14th‑century French, you must travel to Quebec. This isn’t an insult; the French spoken in francophone Canada retains many archaic elements, especially in its most colorful curses. These profanities are all rooted in religious terminology, reflecting the province’s deep Catholic heritage.

Words like “Tabarnak,” “Câlice,” and “Baptême” are derived from “tabernacle,” “chalice,” and “baptism,” respectively. When uttered outside a church, they become some of the strongest swear words in Quebec French—comparable to the English “F‑word” in intensity. Dropping any of these in Montreal can earn you a swift, painful reaction.

Beyond the heavy‑handed swearing, Quebecers also wield vivid expressions like “J’ai le feu au cul,” which translates to “I have fire in my ass.” While it’s a vivid way to describe anger, it’s best left unused unless you truly want to set the room ablaze.

5 Strine Slang, Australia

Down Under, the love for dangerous wildlife, brutal sports, and a distinctive accent that adds an “ee” to shortened words makes Australian slang instantly recognizable. A “tradie” refers to a tradesperson, a “stubbie” is a can of beer, and a “ute” is a utility vehicle—each term reflecting the country’s practical, no‑nonsense attitude.

Throw in a pack of “bickies” (biscuits), a visit to “macca’s” (McDonald’s), and a stop at the “bottle‑o” (liquor store), and you’ve painted a perfect picture of a laid‑back Aussie day. The language mirrors the lifestyle: straightforward, cheeky, and always ready for a good time.

Or, as the locals might say, “G’day, mate,” a greeting that encapsulates the friendly, informal vibe that defines Australian conversation.

6 Gyaru‑Go, Japan

When most people think of Harajuku, they envision flamboyant young women drenched in neon makeup and doll‑like outfits. While that style has faded from mainstream streets, a sub‑culture of “gyaru” girls clings to the early‑2000s aesthetic, preserving both fashion and the accompanying slang.

One standout term from this scene is “tapiru,” a verb formed from “tapioca.” It succinctly describes the act of purchasing and slurping a bubble‑tea drink—a ritual that has become a cultural staple across East Asia. The word fills a lexical gap that English lacks; there’s no single term for “to enjoy a frappuccino‑style drink” in the West.

So the next time you’re tempted by a sweet, chewy beverage, remember that “tapiru” captures the entire experience in one tidy, trendy verb. Take that, Starbucks.

7 Wenglish/Welsh, Wales

Welsh boasts a treasure trove of untranslatable words, with “hiraeth” perhaps the most famous, evoking a deep, wistful longing for a distant time or place. The hybrid Wenglish dialect adds its own flair, offering hyper‑specific terms that blend English and Welsh sensibilities.

While Welsh traditionally avoids outright swearing, its speakers get inventive, often targeting the subject’s mother’s weekend activities. One particularly vivid term is “cachgi bwm,” literally “sh*t‑dog a**hole,” used to describe a bumblebee—those tiny, stinging “devils” of the countryside. Likewise, the phrase “cont y môr” (pronounced “cont”) refers to a jellyfish, originating from a legend where a North‑Welsh swimmer shouted “Cont!” after being stung, only to be scolded for using a vulgar exclamation.

These colorful expressions showcase how Welsh speakers can turn everyday annoyances—like buzzing insects—into linguistic art, enriching the language with humor and regional character.

8 Polari, England

Polari emerged not from the streets of thieves but from a need to conceal one’s homosexual identity in early‑20th‑century Britain. This cant blends Italian, Cockney rhyming slang, Portuguese, Greek, Romani, and Yiddish, reflecting the multicultural tapestry of London’s East End at the time.

While words such as “naff,” “barney,” and “clobber” have seeped into mainstream English, “zhooshy” remains a hidden gem, meaning “showy” in a flamboyant, over‑the‑top way. Though Polari has largely faded, its influence lingers, and “zhooshy” stands as a testament to the vibrant subculture that birthed it.

Fantabulosa!

9 “Zef” Dialect, South Africa

Zef culture thrives on playful rebellion, a vibrant sub‑culture that mixes Afrikaans, English, and other African tongues into a tongue‑in‑cheek cant. It mirrors other global street cultures—like Russia’s “gopniks” or Britain’s “chavs”—yet retains a uniquely South African flavor, often celebrating excess and irony.

“Dwankie” perfectly illustrates this linguistic mash‑up, fusing “downie” (a derogatory nod to Down syndrome) with “wanker.” Though edgy, the term captures the essence of something that drains the fun from a situation. If a friend declines a party, you might say, “That’s dwankie,” or simply label the person themselves as “dwankie.”

The Zef scene, with its souped‑up cars, gold chains, and the off‑beat beats of Die Antwoord, provides the perfect backdrop for this expressive, boundary‑pushing slang.

10 Appalachian English, USA

Appalachian dialects are among the oldest living English varieties in the continental United States. They preserve a host of words that sound like their meanings, bypassing onomatopoeia. For instance, a “jag” denotes a tiny amount, a “gaum” describes a mess, and “foxfire” refers to any bioluminescent plant or animal life—a concise, poetic lexicon.

The term “sigogglin” (also “antigoglin”) describes a surface or structure that leans askew—think of a crooked cabinet or a muddy, uneven slope. It’s a compound of “side” and “goggling,” painting a vivid picture of something that’s just a bit off‑kilter. If you spot a wobbly shelf, you might remark, “That’s sigogglin, isn’t it?” and instantly tap into a rich linguistic heritage that continues to thrive alongside modern Southern American English.

When it comes to the phrase “top 10 reasons,” tardigrades (aka water bears or moss piglets) absolutely earn the spotlight. These minuscule critters pack more personality and scientific intrigue into a body that barely reaches a millimeter. Their adorable nicknames are just the tip of the iceberg—behind those squishy, eight‑legged silhouettes lies a world of astonishing abilities.

Why These Top 10 Reasons Matter

10 What the Heck Are They?

There are more than 1,100 known species of these pint‑sized invertebrates, and scientists are still debating exactly where they fit on the tree of life. Although they share several traits with arthropods—think crustaceans, spiders, and insects—their unique anatomy keeps them in a classification limbo. Some early researchers even mistook them for bacteria because of contaminated samples, but later genetic work proved they belong to the eukaryotic domain.

In plain language, tardigrades are multicellular organisms whose DNA lives inside a defined nucleus, setting them apart from single‑celled bacteria. Modern microscopes and molecular tools have finally let us peer into their microscopic world, confirming that they’re far more complex than the early misconceptions suggested.

9 Little Body, Killer Teeth

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Tardigrades belong to a special group called extremophiles, meaning they can thrive where most life would quit. Their bodies are translucent and encased in a four‑segment exoskeleton, topped with eight stubby legs—each ending in four microscopic claws for gripping surfaces. They typically measure between 0.5 and 1.2 mm, rarely exceeding a millimeter, and sport a distinct fifth segment that houses their head, even though it looks a bit squashed.

Their mouths are round and can extend outward like a tiny spear, armed with razor‑sharp stylets that pierce cells and draw out nourishing fluids. While this sounds vampiric, they’re not after blood the way mosquitoes are; they simply sip the liquid inside their prey, and fortunately, humans aren’t on the menu—at least not yet.

8 Been Around for Millenia

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Although they’ve only recently become a hot research topic, tardigrades were first spotted in 1773 by German pastor J.A.E. Goeze. Three years later, Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani christened them “Tardigrada,” meaning “slow stepper.” Fossil evidence now shows they’ve been roaming Earth for at least half a billion years, making them one of the planet’s oldest terrestrial residents.

That staggering timespan dwarfs humanity’s brief existence, reminding us that life can persist through cataclysms that would wipe out most other organisms. So next time you glance at a mossy rock, remember you’re looking at a living relic that has survived more epochs than any dinosaur.

7 Desiccated and Frozen…but Alive

These little guys are most often found in water, especially fresh water. But they also live in every habitat on Earth where water is present, from Antarctica to the oceans to tropical rainforests to mountaintops and even in sand and soil. The easiest place to find and study them is in the water film found on mosses and lichens. So yes, you can likely find them in your own backyard, especially if you live near a body of freshwater!

They are considered aquatic since they need water to live. The water around their bodies is necessary to allow gas exchange and prevent them from desiccation, basically being a sun‑dried tomato or dehydrated fruit. But, if they are removed from the water, they don’t actually die. They can be reanimated once they are returned to that life‑giving H2O. And that isn’t all! They can be frozen at extremely low temperatures for very long periods of time and still be reanimated once they thaw. How awesome is that? They’re getting cooler with every new thing we learn about them.

6 A Fungi Diet

So what do they eat? Mainly they feast on mosses, flowering plants, bacterias, and lichens, or as they are more commonly known, fungi. They are also known to slurp on animal cells, and some of them are actually cannibals, eating other tardigrades. They suction out the fluids that are nutrient‑rich after using that kind of disturbing mouth to puncture the cell walls and membranes of their targets. It’s a really good thing they don’t have a taste for us, or they wouldn’t be quite so cute anymore.

5 Extreme Survival

Let’s learn a little more about that remarkable ability to come back to life that has made the scientific world so keen to study them further. Through a process known as cryptobiosis, they are able to slow their metabolic rate to as low as 0.01 percent, essentially making it possible for them to survive without eating. Their organs are protected by a sugary gel that continues to produce a large amount of antioxidants.

On the occasions that they are exposed to extremely low temperatures or dehydrated, they form something called a tun. They curl into a tiny ball by tucking in their head and hind legs. And in freezing conditions, they can also somehow prevent the growth of ice crystals. There’s no way science is finished studying that ability.

And if the water they live in has lower than normal oxygen levels, the tardigrades can stretch out, slow their metabolic rates, and absorb oxygen through their muscles. As if all of this isn’t incredible enough, they can produce a protein that protects their DNA from radiation damage. They can also survive some noxious chemicals, low‑pressure vacuums, boiling alcohol, high pressure such as deep ocean depths, and changes in water salinity. It’s becoming less of a wonder how they have survived so many mass extinctions over time!

4 Brace for Impact

Water bears aren’t entirely indestructible or immortal despite their many shocking survival capabilities. It may seem that way, but they do have some weaknesses and will eventually die. One thing they definitely cannot survive is human stomach acid, which is a good thing because you’ve almost certainly drunk some in your lifetime without knowing. And their natural life span, without being frozen or desiccated, is about two and a half years. And they can’t survive an impact in excess of 3,218 kph (2,000 mph). Yeah, people shot them out of guns to test the limits of their survival skills. Humans are so weird.

Recently it has been discovered that their life spans are greatly shortened in water temperatures of 38 °C (100 °F) or more. Climate change may be just as much of a detriment to them as it is to all other forms of life. We truly need to get better control of our habits that are speeding up that process for all of our sakes. Let’s save the bacteria‑destroying water angel moss piglet! New campaign?

3 Walk This Way

Watch them walk! The videos are out there now, and it is precious. When they are not swimming, tardigrades lumber along on those eight little legs in search of moss and mushrooms to suck dry. And they have the gait of insects 500,000 times larger than them and even crustaceans. It looks surprisingly similar to galloping. They just do it very, very slowly. Ever feel like a tardigrade without your morning coffee?

They are aquatic. Hence, water angels (hoping that catches on)! So, of course, they also swim. They do this with those miniature legs too. And they can swim a bit more quickly than they walk. They also float, but it is usually on bits of debris instead of free‑floating. So their float seems a bit more like surfing. They’d probably kill the competition at the Pipeline in Oahu, Hawaii.

2 Males Need Not Be Present

The Moss Piglets have some interesting reproduction practices too. Some species even reproduce asexually. The female lays the eggs, and they develop on their own with no need for external fertilization. Clean and efficient (but maybe not as fun). It also eliminates the need for any males in the species (um…wait a minute there). If you’re a fan of science fiction or horror films, watch No Men Beyond This Point, and you’ll see what might happen if people went the way of the self‑reproducing tardigrade!

In some species that have been observed mating, the lady lays anywhere from one to thirty eggs. But the eggs are implanted in the molting cuticle of her skin. Once the guy comes along, he wraps around her, and they work toward stimulation together, sometimes for an hour or more. The male then releases the sperm under her skin. In other species, the female sheds the cuticle completely and lays the eggs in it. The male comes along later to fertilize the eggs. The eggs take around 40 days to develop and sometimes 90 days if they have been desiccated. So it’s not the most romantic process.

1 Tiny Alien?

Because of their multitude of strange and death‑defying attributes, there’s a belief spreading that the tardigrades are aliens that arrived here on a meteor. This is probably more science fiction than fact. But that didn’t stop people from turning them into aliens. We sent them to the moon after all, if only by accident. Poor little water angels.

An Israeli spacecraft was carrying thousands of tardigrades in an effort to study their survival capabilities in the vacuum of space and the various forms of radiation. But it crashed and landed on the moon. The water bears were in a “hibernation” state and encased in artificial amber. And it is firmly believed by the program’s director that the moss piglets very likely survived and are still in their suspended animation state. Now the tardigrades are astronauts too. Truly fascinating.

If it is called a local, pub, tavern, inn, hostelry, saloon, 19th hole, watering hole, or bar, public houses are fascinating places, luring people of all walks of life to its alcoholic nectar, like bees to flowers. Pubs around the world tend to all tastes, palates, and sub-cultures these days, with inventive owners providing varieties for picky connoisseurs—from whiskey-only pubs to non-alcoholic and gender-based bars. With extra-long names, such as the Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn to themed bars or taverns offering secret rendezvouses, public houses across the globe provide more than just a beer at a counter.

Through the decades, many a pub has had its name honored by Guinness World Records for being the tiniest, the longest temporary bar, or the largest—like the Offshore Rooftop & Bar at Chicago’s Navy Pier in Illinois, USA. Although pubs don’t need to break records to be cool as these ten clearly show.

Related: Top 10 Ancient Alcohols

10 Squeeze into a Small One in the UK

Because they are so small, there are sometimes not more than a mention or a photo available of the world’s tiniest bars. But they do exist—and they are as quaint as small pubs come. For example, the Signal Box Inn building was once a working—you guessed it—signal box in Scunthorpe. But it was moved to Cleethorpe, UK, where it has attracted pub-goers since 2006. Another really tiny bar is the narrow 1.8-meter-wide (5.9-foot) Mou Very in Dunedin, New Zealand, holding six bar stools, a few bottles of alcohol, and an oversized coffee roaster. Slim’s Elbow Room in the city of Cabo San Lucas offers a wide variety of tequila to four customers at a time. Not much elbow room at all.

Although many claim the title, the Blomberger Saustell in Blomberg, Germany, currently holds the title as Guinness World Records’ smallest permanent licensed bar in the world at 5.2 square meters (55.9 square feet)! The beer is normal size, though. “Prost” to that!^[1]

9 Go High in Nepal

The Irish Pub in the Namche Bazaar in Nepal is 3,440 kilometers (11,290 feet) above sea level, making it the highest bar in the world. The pub was opened by two brothers in 2012 after the village saw Mount Everest climbers flocking to the area. Only just recovering from a 2015 earthquake, the bar struggled under pandemic regulations, hampering business due to the mountain being “closed” to tourists.

A new highway promises more traffic and easier ways to bring locals, tourists, and stock in. But be warned—until then, it isn’t a walk in the park to reach this pub. To reach the village, one is flown into apparently the world’s scariest airport, followed by a hike for two days—which is also how supplies are transported to the bar. Do your own research, prepare well, and read accounts of others’ experiences before you decide to go for a pint!^[2]

8 Sink to Your Lowest at the Dead Sea

Just a 30-minute drive from Jerusalem (or an hour from Tel Aviv) brings one to the Kalia bar at Kalia Beach on the northern shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. Kalia is the lowest bar in elevation in the world at more than 300 meters (1,000 feet) below sea level. The settlement of Kalia was established in 1929 on Lido Beach, and the kibbutz (an intentional community) was destroyed in 1984 and rebuilt again.

The Kalia Bar is named after the huge potassium deposits in the area, leading to the initial development of the community. Together with most “normal” alcoholic beverages, the Kalia Bar serves their signature cocktail, the Dead Sea Margarita, and authentic local food like falafel. Drinking to life at the Kalia Bar is the perfect end to a day of sunbathing, black mud skin treatments, and floating in the Dead Sea. L’chayim!^[3]

7 Eco-Pubbing, Icelandic Style

The Northern Lights Bar is a glass enclosure specifically intended for seasonal Northern Lights viewing in Iceland. Not only does the location of the bar make it unique and sought after for watching the famed Aurora Borealis, but it is also situated in a geothermal power plant’s abandoned living quarters. These were renovated to become an archetype of eco-sustainable building and recycling, earning the ION Luxury Adventure Hotel the 2014 World Boutique Hotel Award.

The hotel is situated close to Reykjavik for easy travel and is an adventurer’s dream, offering activities like hiking up the volcano, horseback riding across black sand beaches, snowmobiling on glaciers, diving, fly fishing, and river rafting in glacial rivers and waterfalls. The menu consists of “slow food” prepared from fresh local ingredients, and the bar serves beers, liqueurs, and spirits from Iceland’s several microbreweries.^[4]

6 Neither Shaken nor Stirred in Sweden

Although there are many ice bars found in the world’s colder regions—and on the sea on Norwegian cruise ships and even in hot climates, such as in the UAE—one can go one step further and visit the ice bar in the IceHotel, a structure made entirely of ice in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. Of course, it isn’t the only ice hotel in the world, but it was the first, and it is still operating since its opening in 1989. A winter phenomenon occurring when the waters of the Torne River slow down and freeze makes this hotel a must-visit.

Following the tradition, IceHotel’s watering (or is it ice) hole is simply named Ice Bar. Like other ice bars around the world, it serves its drinks in unique ice-carved glasses. Patrons sit on ice furniture or stand on ice floors, admiring ice art sculptures while having the option to sleep it off in an ice bed after an evening of too much elbow lifting. Visiting Ice Bar is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as the surroundings offer many other activities for those with ice in their veins. Skål to that!^[5]

5 A Very Remote Drink on Tristan da Cunha

The Albatross Bar on Tristan da Cunha Island is one of the world’s most remote bars. Tristan da Cunha is situated 2.810 kilometers (1,750 miles) from Cape Town. To visit, one must find a boat going there—as it is not a tourist destination and there is no airport. If a boat is available, police clearance must be obtained before an application can be submitted to both the South African government and the powers that be on the island—and then the stay can be a lengthy one. It is pretty hard work, a long trip, and an even longer stay to sip a beer in a remote pub. But travelers fortunate enough to have done it swear that it is worth it.

On offer in the bar are South African beers and wines and Scottish whiskeys, among other drinks. It might not be the bar with the best ambiance in the world, but the locals are friendly and answer questions about their remote life patiently—probably because they don’t see many new faces in their bar that often.^[6]

4 Under the Maldivian Sea

The Subsix Bar in Niyama, Maldives, opened in 2012 and has undergone various changes and upgrades. However, what is still as spectacular as it was and doesn’t need any renovations is its underwater surroundings.

The Niyama Subsix Bar originally opened as an underwater nightclub—the first in the world of its sort at the time. Subsix is located about 6 meters (20 feet) below the surface of the Indian Ocean. Situated 500 meters (0.3 miles) from Niyama Island, Subsix is only reachable by boat. The bar is ocean-themed with spectacular décor, borrowing heavily from its surroundings. It offers lunches, parties, special events, and marine biologist-led aquatic activities.^[7]

3 Getting Drunk in a Tree Trunk in South Africa

Probably one of the most unique bars in the world was operated inside a very old Baobab tree on a farm in the Limpopo Province in South Africa. The Sunland Pub opened its trunk for visitors in 1993 and was set inside the upside-down tree—as it is called by locals. The tree is more than 22 meters (72 feet) high and has a circumference of 47 meters (155 feet) with a 4-meter-high (13-foot) ceiling. The bar could easily accommodate fifteen patrons at a time. The tree’s age is disputed, as it is thought to be 6000+ years old by some—making it older than the Giza pyramids. However, there is agreement that it may be at least over a thousand years old and one of the world’s oldest and biggest living trees.

Baobab trees grow throughout the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa and are known to become very big. Unfortunately, many of these big Baobabs are collapsing, which happened to the Sunland Bar tree in 2016. Sadly, the bar is closed to the public now, as the property is under a new leasing contract. ^[8]

2 A Pint in the Oldest Bar in the World–Maybe

Around AD 900, Luain Mac Luighdeach (Luain son of Lewy) lived and established an inn close to Áth Mor—The Great Ford—in what is Athlone, Ireland, today. These days the bar at the inn is called Sean’s Bar and is, according to Guinness World Records, the oldest bar in Ireland. Research is underway to establish if it is indeed the oldest bar in the world, and so far, the outcome looks positive. In 1970, renovations to the inn revealed that the walls of the bar were made of wattle and wicker and dated back to the 9th century. In addition, old coins minted by several landlords from the area for barter purposes were also found. Parts of the walls and some of the coins are displayed in the National Museum, while a small section is displayed in the pub.

Guided tours at Sean’s Bar treat punters on the history of whiskey—a word coined by King Henry II’s army after sampling the local uisce beatha (water of life). Research showed that distilling started in the small monasteries around Athlone in the 6th century. So, there’s one for the bucket list—having a whiskey and saying sláinte is táinte (slawn-che iss toin-che), meaning “health and wealth” in the oldest pub in Ireland (and probably the world).^[9]

1 Speakeasy in LA if You Are Connected Enough!

Probably the pubs or bars gripping the imagination the most are speakeasies or speakeasy bars. They dated from eras when alcohol was prohibited as pubs, bars, and liquor shops were operating undercover. People visiting had to “speak easy” (softly) not to be discovered. Secret bars have made a comeback in recent years, with wonderfully secretive establishments springing up in just about every city around the world.

The Blue Room is such a secret bar, which is accessed through a hidden bookcase door on the 3rd floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club and is a sought-after speakeasy with a long history. Unfortunately, access is only allotted to the 20 inaugural members of “The Lofty and Exalted Order of Uplifters”—who are probably all dead already—or to those recommended by one of them (or probably a living descendant by now).

The Blue Room was initially established after the club opened in 1912 to host evenings of fellowship and networking by some of their (apparent) inaugural members—Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Will Rogers, and L. Frank Baum, who seemingly came up with the name for the group. The club moved to another location in 1920 but was relaunched in its original quarters in 2015.

Unfortunately, the closest we as unconnected plebians would ever come to the Blue Room was to be in the know. However, things changed with their relaunch in 2015. The LA Athletic Club website invites patrons to enjoy the Blue Room on Friday evenings. Its new special menu features ten whiskey-based cocktails in the custom bar, offering over 50 whiskeys.^[10]

Since the 1920s, our understanding of the universe has greatly expanded. Edwin Hubble, the man who the famous Hubble Space Telescope was named after, helped to shatter the illusion that ours was the only galaxy in the universe with his observations of what would later be called the Andromeda galaxy.

With the James Webb Space Telescope finally launching and reaching its final cosmic docking spot in Earth’s L2 Lagrange point, we have an entirely new era of astronomy to look forward to, as once the telescope’s instruments are fully ready, it boasts the ability to peer back in time to the first luminous glows erupted after the Big Bang.

But that doesn’t mean that observatories like the Hubble Space Telescope will be out of the job, as even 32 years after the telescope’s launch, it is still being used to do groundbreaking scientific work.

Today we’re looking at the 10 most breathtaking images ever taken in the known universe.

10. Cosmic Cows

What is a cosmic cow?

No, we haven’t launched some poor hapless bovine into space, at least not yet, but rather, the term refers to an extremely bright form of supernovae. The first of these cow-like flashes of light was discovered in 2018 thanks to the efforts of astronomers operating two different telescopes, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. 

The newly discovered celestial explosion was dubbed AT2018cow and the name just sort of stuck, becoming a catchall for any supernovae which match its unique description. 

Cow-like supernovae are very short-lived and AT2018cow was 100 times more luminous than a typical supernova, emitting brilliant ultraviolet and blue light. These newly discovered explosions also make up about 0.1 percent of all observed cosmic blasts in the night sky.

And, at the start of this year, another cow-like event was discovered in the Spektrum-Roetgen-Gamma (SRG) space telescope’s data. This one being 200 times as bright as the original cosmic bovine. 

According to Caltech astronomer Yuhan Yao, these events are more than likely the result of a collapsing star giving birth to a black hole or neutron star with a powerful magnetic field. 

9. Henize 2-10 Stellar Nursery

Black holes are typically depicted as silent monsters, lurking in the black of space waiting to gobble up unsuspecting worlds and stars. Yet, without them, we would likely not be here. For one, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way binds our galaxy together, making our very existence possible.

However, what was discovered by the Hubble Telescope in a dwarf starburst galaxy 34 million light-years from us is perhaps proof that black holes assist in the formation of new stars. 

Henize 2-10 has been the source of some debate since the discovery of what appears to be a massive black hole at the galaxy’s core, but the data suggesting that the object at the core could also suggest a supernova remnant. However, in these stunning recent images from Hubble, we see an outflow of gas coming from the object, leading directly to a stellar nursery. 

If this object is indeed a black hole, then it will prove that black holes play a pivotal role in new star formation.

8. N44 Nebula

Located within the Large Magellanic Cloud, the N44 nebula as it was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope is absolutely stunning to behold, but more important are the cosmic phenomena which contribute to its awe-inspiring beauty.

The titular super bubble spans nearly 250 light-years, and currently, there’s no one explanation for why N44 has a massive hole in it, but stellar winds coming from massive stars and a supernova remnant have been offered as potential explanations.

7. Centaurus A Radio Galaxy

The Centaurus A Radio Galaxy might be the fifth brightest galaxy visible in the Earth’s night sky, but it’s also one of the most heavily studied objects in all of astronomy. 

This particular image, which shows Centaurus A’s supermassive black hole’s powerful relativistic jets in all of their terrifying glory, is a composite of three different images captured by three separate instruments. 

Each instrument operates in different wavelengths of the light spectrum. The orange segments of the image are from LABOCA on APEX, the blue portions are from x-ray data captured by the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and everything else was captured using the MPG/ESO telescope located in La Silla, Chile.

6. Intersecting Galaxies

Hubble has had an incredible run since its debut in 1990.

It is said that one day, the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy will collide and merge together (and some data suggests that that process has already started, but that’s neither here nor there). 

Speaking of Andromeda, the constellation not the galaxy. This image represents ARP 273, two colliding galaxies some 300 million light-years from our humble little solar system. 

While some places describe this interaction as having created what looks like a beautiful rose or flower formation, others describe the galaxy making up the “stem” of the flower as though it’s making a harrowing kamikaze dive into the other spiral galaxy. 

The gravitational forces at play here are actively distorting both galaxies into their current shape, offering us a preview of sorts for what might happen when the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy are further along with their merger.

5. Star Cluster R136

Located within the Tarantula Nebula which itself is located within the Large Magellanic Cloud, star cluster R136 is a sight to behold. 

This sector of the nebula features dozens upon dozens of newborn blue stars. These are some of the most massive stars in the entire universe. 

This particular image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, through a partnership between NASA and ESA astronomers who were studying the Tarantula Nebula using Hubble’s spectrograph instrument.

Among these glowing blue stars, which are located 170,000 light-years from us, are 9 heavyweight stars with masses 100 times than that of our sun, Sol. 

4. V838 Monocerotis

V838 Monocerotis is a variable star and surrounding it is a structure of interstellar dust. Hubble was able to capture this incredible image after V838 Monocerotis brightened by an extreme amount at the start of 2002. 

For a brief moment in time (cosmically speaking, of course), the variable star was 600,000 times brighter than Sol. The brightening of this star lasted from January to April of 2002, and the cause for this flare is still a mystery. But, as a result, we have this stunning image of what’s called a “light echo” from the star’s brightening. 

According to NASA, light from V838 Mon “propagates outward. Each new observation of the light echo reveals a new unique “thin-section” through the interstellar dust around the star.” In other words, as that light travels to us, we see the star’s light reflected on the interstellar gas that surrounds the star, even after the star has quieted down.

However, V838 Monocerotis is still one of the brightest stars in all the Milky Way. 

3. Pillars of Creation

Located some 7,000 light-years from the Earth, the Eagle Nebula is also home to one of the most famous images ever taken by Hubble, the Pillars of Creation. 

Like the twisted and writhing hand of a dead god, the Pillars of Creation is composed of three trails of beautiful multicolored dust and gas that stretch on for four to five light-years. 

The Pillars are composed of nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, but the most incredible thing about this formation is the fact that it’s home to a bunch of newly formed stars.

Unfortunately, the light from those newborn stars is also eroding the structure. 

The structure was originally photographed by Hubble in 1995 and it’s been photographed two more times since then. The ESA’s Herschel Space Observatory photographed the structure in 2011, and after that, Hubble took another crack at it to celebrate the space observatory’s 25^th anniversary. 

2. Ring Nebula

The Ring Nebula sits 2,000 light-years from the Earth, and it’s a hint at the haunting future that awaits our own sun someday billions of years into the future. When stars like our own finally die, they don’t explode with the fury of a supernova.

They just aren’t large enough for that. 

Instead, they slowly lose their outer layers, until they come to spread out, much like we see in the Ring Nebula. They also leave behind a remnant of the star’s core, known as a white dwarf. 

All of these features are present in this stunning image taken by Hubble in 1998. Originally, it was thought that the Ring Nebula was shaped exactly how we see it, but in recent years it’s been revealed through careful analysis of the planetary nebula that the blue regions (which are composed of helium, hydrogen, and oxygen) are actually shaped more like a football that’s intersecting with the red colored donut-shaped nitrogen and sulfur gasses. If were we to observe the nebula from a different perspective, it might look more like someone had spiked a football right through the reddish gasses. 

1. M87 Supermassive Black Hole

Of course, no list of the greatest astronomy images ever taken (or in this case, generated) would ever be complete without the first image ever taken of a black hole.

M87 (or Messier 87) is a supermassive black hole resting at the center of a supergiant elliptical galaxy. The galaxy sits within the constellation Virgo and features a unique view at a single relativistic jet coming from one end of the galaxy. 

The relativistic jet is moving so fast that it creates an illusion when we observe it from the Earth, making it appear to be moving 4 to 6 times the speed of light. 

The first image of the black hole was made in 2019 by the Event Horizon Telescope which is a collaborative effort made by multiple radio observatories around the globe. Essentially, the EHT has linked 9 observatories that function as an Earth-sized Interferometer. 

Since that first image from 2019, the EHT team has been studying M87 in even greater detail. Just last year, they released another image of the supermassive black hole showing how the stellar beast’s magnetic field disrupts the material in the accretion disk. The EHT team has since announced that it will be focusing its network of observatories on Sagittarius-A, the supermassive black hole that rests at the center of the Milky Way, which has never been directly imaged before.