If there’s one thing that pretty much everybody is in agreement on, it’s that grammar snobs are, well, snobby. It’s right there in the name! Linguists, writers, copy editors, line editors, and all the rest of ’em (you know… nerds!) have a very particular way of doing things. And when it comes to language and word usage, that is their domain. So, if you have any of them in your lives out there, you certainly know they feel a particular way about the dictionary. To the rest of us, that’s a miserable slog. To them, it’s enthralling.

Today, we’re going to use this list to rankle them a little bit. Below, you’ll find the interesting tales of ten words that grammar snobs and linguists insist should not be words. Some are slang terms that haven’t ever been recognized in dictionaries or word lists. Others are strange words that have found their way into the popular lexicon despite not being officially recognized. But guess what? In time, dictionaries have come around to categorizing the following words as, well, words. And no matter what the grammar snobs in your life may say about them, that’s good enough for us!

Related: 10 Famous Writers Who Came Up with Everyday Words

10 Nother

Surely, you use the word “another” quite a bit. And probably just as surely, you’ve heard someone say “a whole nother” to describe a different thing, item, category, or grouping. It’s a little bit of a goofy word (or phrase), but people have used it to describe differences and exaggerate pairings and groupings. Now, grammar sticklers will get in your face with a very loud and very quick argument about how “nother” isn’t a word and “a whole nother” is simply nonsense. You shouldn’t break up “another” with the word “whole” between syllables, they’ll say. It’s not right!

But we’ve got bad news for grammar snobs and dictionary defenders: it actually IS right. That’s right. The word “nother” first popped up back in the 14th century and, from the start, was used to function similarly to “another.” Then, in the 19th century, it became very common to see “nother” as a standalone word and a synonym for its, uh, cousin. And now? It’s in the dictionary. It’s legitimate. Of course, it’s still not as commonly used as “another.” And you’ll still probably get weird looks from people if you do use it. But at least you can point them to the dictionary as proof that you’re not making it up.^[1]

9 Impactful

For years, “impactful” wasn’t a word. And then… the 1960s happened. During that decade and the latter half of the one preceding it, advertising agencies got their tentacles into America. Some of us would say that the country has never recovered. Jokes aside, though, ad agencies did a lot as far as finding unique ways to market their products. They also figured out an entirely new language to reference their work, their achievements, their campaigns, and more. One of the foremost and most lasting words that they created was “impactful.” Some might even say their idea to pick up that word out of thin air was… wait for it… impactful.

Basically, ad agencies took the word “impact” and altered it slightly in order to have a way to describe their marketing campaigns. Seeking to toot their own horn about how their campaigns were having a big impact on the public, they coined the term “impactful” and began using it in board meetings and conference calls. Soon enough, the word made its way outside the boardroom and landed on the street. And today, many things are seen as “impactful.” Possibly including the “impactful” punch a grammar snob might land across an advertising industry executive’s face.^[2]

8 Prolly

When it comes to text messages and Internet speak, “prolly” has pretty much taken over for “probably.” Especially among a younger generation and a fresh, new set of folks. To talk to us oldheads, we don’t recognize “prolly” as a real world. It’s a heck of a lazy contraction, and we simply aren’t here for it. But younger people don’t care, so they use it regularly—along with OMG, LOL, and every other slang term and coded abbreviation under the sun. Here’s the thing, though: “Prolly” has gotten so popular over time that it is now officially in the dictionary!

Amazingly, the first documented use of “prolly” in place of “probably” went all the way back to the 1940s. Naturally, it functioned back then just as it does now: as a clipped version of the word “probably” to be used to save some time and a bit of a spelling headache. (We suppose.) Even more amazingly, the Oxford English Dictionary has now come to recognize that it’s so commonplace (and so understood) that it deserves its own dictionary entry. At this point, after nearly 100 years in use, the grammar snobs should prolly give up this fight. Prolly is here to stay!^[3]

7 Snuck

If you want to say somebody is sneaking around but put the sentence in the past tense, what verb would you use? If you said “sneaked,” you would be correct. But tons (and tons and tons) of people believe that the correct verbiage to use in that case is “snuck.” So many people have thought that in fact—and for literally a couple centuries at this point—that “snuck” has finally entered the lexicon and officially made its way into the dictionary. See, even though “sneaked” is and has always been correct, people going all the way back to the latter half of the 19th century have employed “snuck” as the past tense version of the verb “to sneak.”

The drumbeat has been going on for so long that dictionary advocates and compilers have finally thrown up their hands and relented. Grammarians and linguists fought tooth and nail over this one for a long time and tried their hardest not to have “snuck” sneak up on them. After all, there is not a single verb in the English language that ends in -eak, which then transfers over to the ending -uck, which is the past tense. Well, there weren’t any… until “snuck” went and snuck up on us all. Today, “snuck” is officially a word you will find in every mainstream dictionary. Even if grammar snobs complain relentlessly about it.^[4]

6 Madded & Madder

Let’s offer up a two-for-one special here that’ll be sure to get grammar nerds doubly upset. Or should we say it’ll make them madder than they were before? Word snobs and linguistic experts left and right will tell you that “madded” is not a word. You can get “mad,” of course, and you can be “maddened” by something, but you can’t get “madded” over an issue or person. Right? Wrong! You actually can get “madded” by something. If you don’t do something at your job, your co-workers can be “madded” by it. And that’s a real word!

There’s a second real word in this same vein that has tripped people up quite a bit for a very long time: the word “madder.” Back in 2013, Barack Obama caught a ton of flak from grammar nerds and his political rivals alike after he used “madder” during a speech. Everybody thought that he should have said something like “more mad” to describe that to which he was referring. But if you open up a dictionary, “madder” is indeed right there. Obama was right about that one, even if it sounded wrong. And even if the rest of us debate it until we’re blue in the face!^[5]

5 Orientate

As we’ve seen so far on this list, there are a lot of words that people will argue shouldn’t be words. But few raise the anger of grammar nerds and linguistic snobs more than “orientate.” After all, “orient” is a word—and so is “orientation.” But one shouldn’t be able to “orientate” themselves. That’s the thinking of people who are so-called experts in dictionary matters, at least. There’s just one little problem with that: “orientate” actually is in the dictionary. Cry as much as they may, but grammar snobs are fighting a losing battle on this one. And the history involved here goes way, way back. Two hundred years back, in fact!

As it turns out, “orientate” was first used among British speakers of the language back in the 1840s. It was used then as it is now—as a version of “orient,” working as a verb meant for one to determine their bearings or direction. Across the pond in the United States, Americans mostly stuck with “orient” then as now. But the British kept churning on with “orientate.” And before long, people started using the two words interchangeably. Eventually, the word made its way across the pond. And now, “orientate” operates on both ends of the Atlantic Ocean. Even if the snobbiest grammar followers among us may fight it!^[6]

4 Gonna

What if we told you that “gonna” is actually a word? What are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna fight us? Are you gonna spell-check us? Are you gonna roll your eyes, sigh, and steel yourselves for the facts that we’re about to drop? Not only is “gonna” a word (sorry, sticklers), but it’s actually been a word since way back in 1806! The casual contraction of “going to” was first officially documented and added to a dictionary in that year. Dictionary makers and linguists of that era had heard people contracting “going to” into “gonna” and decided to make it official in their word lists.

In the last couple of decades, words like “gonna” have taken on new importance with the rise of text message lingo. Whenever possible, we like to shorten words and keep things on point when it comes to texting people, tweeting them, or posting on various other social media accounts. Naturally, “gonna” fits well with that. But as we now know, the word fits with much more than that, too. After all, there were no text messages back in 1806. But “gonna” still found its way into the dictionary, regardless!^[7]

3 Anyways

To hear a modern-day English teacher or copy editor explain things, you would think that “anyway” is the only acceptable word. But did you know that the word “anyways” isn’t just in the dictionary, but that it’s been in common use for more than 800 years? The word “anyways” dates all the way back to the 13th century and is documented in literature from that period. Over the next several centuries, it very gradually fell out of favor. In its place, English speakers dropped the “s” and instead used the word “anyway” to change the subject.

Today, most dictionaries list the two versions of the word as workable synonyms. While most modern people still drop the “s” and favor “anyway” over its cousin, both words are technically correct. If we’re being technical, “anyways” is a bit more commonly used in North America than it is in the United Kingdom and other places that speak English. But wherever you may be reading this, don’t let geography stop you. “Anyways” is a legitimate word, and if anybody tries to call you on that, just open a dictionary and prove them wrong.^[2]

2 Ginormous

You might assume that “ginormous” is a word created by millennials as a way to be goofy online. Instead of calling something “huge” or “humongous,” perhaps these little whipper-snappers opted to create an over-exaggerated new word to get across their thoughts about things that are really, really big. But would you believe us if we told you that “ginormous” actually comes from the World War II era? Well, it’s true!

Though it may feel like a goofy word put out by millennial kids who delayed their adulthood by being goofy online, “ginormous” actually has roots in the 1940s. The first documented and recognized use of the word came in 1942, to be exact. Your assumptions about its roots are correct: it was initially used as an over-exaggerated (and somewhat tongue-in-cheek) portmanteau of “gigantic” and “enormous.” But quickly, it caught on. And today, “ginormous” is a real word that is actually in the dictionary, no matter whether you have reservations about that or not.^[9]

1 Conversate

Not only does “conversate” contain an actual entry in every recognized and legitimate dictionary, but like a lot of the words on this list, it’s actually been around for well over 200 years. Along with “conversating” and “conversated,” the verb meaning “to converse” is a surprisingly common word with a shockingly long history. The first documented uses of “conversate” in newspapers and other written publications come way back in the very early 1800s. From there, the word snowballed its way through our lexicon.

Copy editors might bristle at the thought of using it; after all, why say “conversate” when you can merely say “converse” or even its far simpler cousin “talk”? Taken too far, “conversate” almost sounds like a word that a 12-year-old might use in front of his fellow classmates while trying to sweet-talk through giving a book report on a book he didn’t read. So, we don’t necessarily disagree with you on balking at using it in the real world, but that doesn’t change the fact that “conversate” is a real word.^[10]

+ BONUS: Firstly

Lastly, let’s drop a bonus word in there: firstly. Sure, we know that saying “first” is better than saying “firstly” when it comes to listing off a rundown of bullet points or items in a row. But while it might be extremely awkward to use “firstly” with a straight face, it’s not wrong. If we’re being technical, there are some actual grammar rules to consider here. For one, numbered words like first, second, and third all work as both adjectives and adverbs. Thus, that would make adverbs like “firstly,” “secondly,” and “thirdly” redundant.

To make matters even more pointed, some dictionaries believe that “firstly” is a redundant way to introduce a list or a bulleted number of topics. They actively recommend to people that “first” is a better choice to use than “firstly,” which they claim gets unnecessarily complicated. But enough people have used “firstly” over the years that the dictionaries collectively eventually said “screw it” and added it in as an entry. Today, “firstly” is in every dictionary worth its weight that covers the English language. It’s not ideal, but technically, it’s there. And being technically correct is the best part of being correct!^[10]

It’s no surprise that strange video games have hit the market in the past, but some of them are just downright bizarre. From the insane graphics to the unbelievable concepts, there are some weird games that are complicated to describe.

They span the time frame of video game creation—from the earliest days to modern times. A plumber who powers up with mushrooms while trying to save a princess is nothing compared to these odd ones.

10 Toilet Kids
PC Engine

Kids have all sorts of fears that they hope will never become a reality. This game starts off with one of those possible fears—being flushed down the toilet. Toilet Kids is a poo-filled humorous game that starts out with a kid waking up in the middle of the night to take a dump.

While he sits on the commode, the kid’s nightmare becomes a reality. He falls into the toilet, and the shoot ’em up game instantly begins at this point.

The kid begins flying around on some sort of a duck-shaped toilet shooting at poop-related objects. He must fight off attacks of monkeys, spiders, flies, and other animals that are flinging turds his way.

The game features four stages with different themes and bosses that must be defeated. Toilet Kids, released in 1992 exclusively for PC Engine, is full of pixelated keisters, turds, and toilet humor that makes up one weird game.^[1]

9 Sneak ‘n Peek
Atari 2600

Sneak ‘n Peek is simply a computerized version of hide-and-seek. Released in 1982, this Atari game could be played by two players or one player against the computer. One player would cover his eyes while the other found a hiding spot. Once the second person was hidden, the first had a limited amount of time to find the concealed player. When that person was found, the roles would be reversed.

The game is played in an old home with a yard and three rooms. There aren’t many hiding spots, and some of them are a bit strange. Sneak ‘n Peek can be played with fixed hiding places or variable hiding spots that will be moved each time someone enters the room. There are also two levels of difficulty to test.^[2]

It’s probably more enjoyable to just go outside and play the real version of this game.

8 Muscle March
Nintendo WiiWare

Some video games are absurd but hilarious to watch. Muscle March is one of those games. You play as one of a group of seven bodybuilders—five men, one woman, and a polar bear (yes, a polar bear)—chasing down various thieves who have stolen their protein powder. It’s already funny just thinking about it, right?

Muscle March was released on WiiWare, making it an interactive game to be used with the Wii remote and nunchuk. Your bodybuilder lines up behind three others as they chase the thief through the city.

The thief will bust through walls, and it is the player’s responsibility to make the same pose through the wall as the thief in order to continue pursuit through that hole. The other players in front of you will slowly drop out, leaving just you chasing the protein-stealing bandit.^[3]

The gameplay will speed up at this point for added difficulty. If you successfully copy the thief’s holes, you will have the opportunity to tackle the bandit and recover the coveted protein!

7 Seaman
Sega Dreamcast

The virtual pet toy fad was popular in the ’90s and featured handheld games such as Giga Pets and Tamagotchi. There was a much less popular game about virtual pet raising that also hit the market toward the end of the fad.

Seaman was released on Sega Dreamcast in 1999, and a Playstation 2 version was released in 2001 in Japan only. The goal of the game is to keep Seaman, an anthropomorphic fish with a human face, alive by interacting with its environment in different ways.

The creepy fish eventually starts talking, which is voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the English version. Players have to properly take care of Seaman’s tank, grow larvae in a different tank, and feed Seaman to keep him alive.^[4]

The game also required players to use Dreamcast’s microphone peripheral to answer questions asked by Seaman. After a short time of playing, though, Seaman will become bored and tell the user to “go away.” The creator of the game has hinted at a sequel, but no return has hit the market.

6 Sensible Train-Spotting
Amiga

Trainspotting is known as the activity of watching trains and writing down the railway engine’s numbers. It is a hobby that has been enjoyed by people in the United Kingdom dating back to World War II. The hobby is best enjoyed in person, but you also have the option of engaging in it without leaving the comfort of your home.

Sensible Train-Spotting was a simulation game released in 1995 for the Amiga console. A man with a thermos sits on a bench as several trains pass. You must spot the numbers on the trains as they roll by and match them to the numbers you already have.^[5]

That’s it—it’s that simple. The difficulty does increase as you progress through the game, but do you ever really win at a game like this?

5 Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker
Sega Genesis & Arcade

Sega released video games for the Genesis and arcades under the name of Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker. Looking back, it was made up of some fairly strange and creepy concepts. In the game, Michael has to rescue children that were kidnapped by Mr. Big. He uses Bubbles the chimp, moonwalking, and dancing to take down the bad guys.

It gets creepier: When Michael touches the children, it charges up his health. There is even a button to perform the famous crotch grab, although it serves no actual purpose in the game.

When he dances, it makes his enemies break out in a rhythmic dance routine before they die. The game is rather controversial, but you do get to jam out to some of his top hits while playing.^[6]

4 Playboy: The Mansion
Xbox, PS2, PC

Everybody wants to be like Hugh Hefner, right?

Well, you get to play him in Playboy: The Mansion . . . sort of. This game from 2005 blends social simulation with role-playing and empire building, which is similar to The Sims. The goal of the game is to build the Playboy mansion and magazine into a powerful brand.

You hire and fire journalists and photographers along with lining up photo shoots and interviews for the magazine. The quality of each component of the magazine is based on how well each person likes Hef.^[7]

Photo shoots and interviews are also only as good as the relationships those people have with Hef. The whole game really depends on how well everyone likes Hef. It’s a strange model for a game, especially coming from a company like Playboy.

3 Samurai Zombie Nation
NES

In 1999, a mysterious meteorite that crashes into the Nevada desert turns out to be Darc Seed, an evil alien with horrible powers. That’s how Samurai Zombie Nation for NES starts out, but that is only the beginning.

Darc Seed shoots magnetic rays that turn the people of America into zombies and bring the Statue of Liberty to life for his own benefit. He also gained possession of his most deadly weapon, the legendary samurai sword Shura. The great head of the samurai, Namakubi, heard about the sword falling into the wrong hands, and he sets out for the United States to defeat Darc Seed.

Namakubi has a massive head, which is why he is known as the “great head of the samurai.” He is able to shoot projectiles from his eyes and acid spit from his mouth. He also eats zombie corpses for extra points and health.^[8]

This oddly satisfying game is played over four stages with two difficulty levels. Give this strange game a try if you think you possess the strength and knowledge to reclaim the magical sword and free the Americans from evil.

2 Mister Mosquito
PS2

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a mosquito . . . well, wonder no more! Mister Mosquito puts you in the position of an adorable mosquito that must feed and store food and blood for the upcoming winter. To accomplish these tasks, you must terrorize the Yamada family who is trying to enjoy their traditional summer break at their vacation home.^[9]

The game is shown from a third-person perspective as you work to suck blood from the family. You have to be careful trying to extract the blood, though, because the family members can swat you dead.

The mosquito changes colors and size and looks cartoonishly cute, but it’s a strange concept for a game. Try not to let this game suck the blood out of you!

1 Boong Ga Boong Ga
Arcade

We’ve discussed some fairly strange games, but this is by far the craziest on the list. Boong Ga Boong Ga (aka Spank ‘Em), is an arcade game with a basic goal of punishing characters by spanking them. The game features a large screen, a fist with two fingers, and a butt with legs covered with clothes. The game was intended to make the player laugh and relieve some stress.

There are eight different players that you can punish, including the ex-girlfriend, gangster, gold digger, child molester, ex-boyfriend, mother-in-law, prostitute, and con artist. These characters can be punished by a traditional spanking or by using kancho, which is a prank where you poke a distracted person in the butt.

After the game is finished, a card is dispensed explaining the player’s sexual behavior. Small prizes can also be won if the score is high enough.^[10]

I’m just another bearded guy trying to write my way through life. Visit me at www.MDavidScott.com.

Our solar system is filled with a star, eight planets, some dwarf planets, and lots of comets and asteroids. A few centuries ago, people thought that more than eight planets existed out there. They erroneously labeled asteroids as planets, discovered nonexistent planets, and predicted the existence of some other planets.

Some of these predictions came true—like Neptune, which was discovered after its existence was predicted. However, many more have remained hypothetical. We believe that some of these planets could exist, while we know that others do not. Nevertheless, we should always keep our fingers crossed.

10 Vulcan

Vulcan is a hypothetical planet believed to lie between Mercury and the Sun. A few centuries ago, the planet was proposed after astronomers observed that Mercury had slightly changed its orbit with every revolution around the Sun.

In 1859, French astronomer Urbain-Jean-Joseph Le Verrier suggested that this was caused by the gravitational pull of an undiscovered planet lying between Mercury and the Sun. He called it Vulcan after the Roman god of blacksmithing. Le Verrier added that the planet could not be spotted because it was too close to the Sun.

A year later, amateur astronomer Edmond Modeste Lescarbault claimed to have spotted a small black dot near the Sun. Le Verrier said the dot was the planet Vulcan. Other astronomers later claimed to have spotted the elusive planet, although some insisted that they couldn’t see it.

Vulcan was soon considered the first planet of the solar system despite the lack of concrete evidence. This was probably because Le Verrier was an authority figure in astronomy. Thirteen years earlier, he had proposed Neptune after observing that an undiscovered planet was altering the orbit of Uranus. Besides, Vulcan’s existence was the only explanation for Mercury’s haphazard orbit.

This changed in 1915 when Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity trashed every claim about the existence of Vulcan. Einstein said that massive objects like the Sun could bend time and space. Mercury’s orbit often changed because it was traveling through a “distorted space-time” caused by its closeness to the Sun.^[1]

9 Tyche

Tyche is a hypothetical planet lying somewhere in the Oort cloud at the edge of the solar system. The planet was proposed in 1999 by three astrophysicists from the University of Louisiana. The trio suggested that Tyche is the size of Jupiter, has three times the mass of Jupiter, and orbits the Sun once in 1.8 million years.

The astrophysicists proposed Tyche to explain the existence of long-period comets. These comets take over 200 years to complete an orbit round the Sun. Astronomers used to believe that long-period comets appeared from random locations in the solar system.

However, the astrophysicists say that the comets actually come from the Oort cloud and are flung toward the Sun by the gravitational force of Tyche. NASA used its Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope to search for Tyche between 2012 and 2014. It found nothing.^[2]

8 Planet V

A barrage of asteroids hit the surfaces of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the Moon 3.8 billion years ago. Scientists call that barrage the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB). However, they cannot confirm where those asteroids came from.

Some scientists have suggested that the asteroids came from the remnants of Planet V, which lay between Mars and the asteroid belt that separates Jupiter from Mars today.

Scientists think that Planet V was smaller than Mars, which may explain why its orbit was heavily altered by the gravitational pull of Jupiter and other outer planets. Planet V soon became unstable and strayed into the asteroid belt, flinging asteroids toward Mars and the other inner planets. Planet V itself was later flung into the Sun or far into the solar system.

Alternatively, Planet V could have just steered clear of the asteroid belt and crashed into another planet. Some astronomers think it crashed into Mars and created the Borealis Basin, which covers 40 percent of Mars. If that happened, the asteroids that crashed into the inner planets were probably fragments flung into space during the collision.

Other astronomers say that the hypothetical Planet V never existed. They think that the LHB occurred after Jupiter and Saturn changed their orbits and flung asteroids from the asteroid belt toward the inner planets. Others say that the LHB was caused after the gravitational pull of Mars broke a large asteroid apart.^[3]

7 Theia

Scientists used to believe that the current Earth and Moon were created after a planet they called Theia slammed into an early Earth. The collision caused the smaller Theia to break up, sending fragments into space. One of these fragments became the Moon.

Scientists disproved this theory after tests on Moon rocks revealed that the Earth and Moon were made from the same material. These days, scientists believe that Theia slammed into an older Earth about 4.5 billion years ago. Both planets mixed together to create Earth. A fragment of Earth later broke off to form the Moon.^[4]

6 Phaeton

Astronomers believed there was an undiscovered planet between Mars and Jupiter until quite recently. The existence of the hypothetical planet seemed truer when Giuseppe Piazzi discovered what was considered to be planet Ceres in 1801. A year later, Heinrich Olbers discovered what was thought to be planet Pallas.

Olbers soon realized that Ceres and Pallas used to be part of the same planet. This belief was reinforced when planets Juno and Vesta were discovered. Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta were later reclassified as asteroids and considered remnants of a hypothetical planet called Phaeton.

Astronomers of the day thought that Phaeton had broken up and created the four large asteroids and every other one in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter today.

Some astronomers thought that Phaeton had broken up after it exploded, was destroyed by Jupiter, or had smashed into another celestial body. Some think that this celestial body is Nemesis, a hypothetical star that was believed to be in our solar system.

However, today’s astronomers have disproved the existence of Phaeton. They say that the asteroids in the asteroid belt have always been asteroids. They were stuck between Mars and Jupiter and would have formed into a planet if it weren’t for Jupiter’s massive gravitational pull that kept them apart.^[5]

5 Nibiru

Nibiru is a hypothetical planet supposedly lurking somewhere in our solar system. While NASA says that it does not exist, conspiracy theorists insisted that it was real and would slam into the Earth in the year 2012.

For the record, Nibiru is also called Planet X and should not be confused with the hypothetical Planet Nine that is also called Planet X. We will get to Planet Nine shortly.

Nibiru was first proposed by Zecharia Sitchin in his 1976 book, The Twelfth Planet, where he claimed that it orbited the Sun every 3,600 years. Many years later, self-proclaimed psychic Nancy Lieder declared that aliens had warned her that Nibiru would slam into the Earth in 2003. Later, she changed the date to 2012.

In 2011, Comet Elenin passed by Earth and broke apart after flying too close to the Sun. Hard-liners insisted that the comet was planet Nibiru on its approach to crash into Earth. The fact that we are reading this article means that planet Nibiru probably doesn’t exist. Or it just missed Earth and will be returning in 3,600 years.^[6]

4 Planet Nine

Planet Nine is another hypothetical planet lurking somewhere in our solar system. Unlike Nibiru, NASA and astronomers from the California Institute of Technology think that Planet Nine could exist, although there is no verifiable evidence that it does. Astronomers speculated the existence of Planet Nine after observing the irregular orbits of five solar objects far beyond Neptune.

Astronomers think that Planet Nine is the same size as Uranus or Neptune, has a mass 10 times that of Earth, and is 20 times farther from the Sun than Neptune. They believe that Planet Nine takes 10,000–20,000 years to complete a revolution around the Sun.^[7]

3 Counter-Earth

In the fourth century BC, Greek philosopher Philolaus proposed the existence of a planet that he called Counter-Earth. He believed that Counter-Earth was always on the opposite side of the solar system from Earth. This meant that the Sun, Earth, and Counter-Earth would always be on the same line.

Philolaus believed that Counter-Earth was invisible from Earth because Counter-Earth was always obscured by the Sun. Today, we know that it could have never existed. If it had, we would have seen it from Earth because every planet in the solar system is affected by the gravitational pull of other planets.

The gravitational pull of Mercury and Venus would have altered the orbit of Counter-Earth and shifted it from its position on the opposite side of the solar system. This would have made it visible from Earth. Counter-Earth would have strayed closer to Earth over time, and both planets would have eventually met.

One of two things would have happened when they met. Earth and Counter-Earth could have collided to form a new Earth. Or they could have missed each other. If they had, their gravitational pulls would have been so great that they would have been thrown into new orbits.^[8]

2 An Unnamed Planet

Planets are often unstable after their creation. They will frequently change orbits because their orbits are continuously altered by the gravitational pull of other planets. In 2005, three groups of researchers used this theory to propose the Nice Model of the formation of the solar system.

In the past, the gravitational pull of other planets made Uranus and Neptune swap orbits and sent Jupiter and Saturn farther away from the Sun. Jupiter also supposedly moved closer to the Sun before returning to the outer solar system.

The Nice Model was accepted as true until it was partly disproved in 2011. At that time, some scientists said there had to be a fifth planet between Mars and Jupiter for it to be true. However, they added that the planet was probably flung out of the solar system by the gravitational pull of either Saturn or Jupiter.

In 2015, other scientists disproved the Nice Model because it did not explain the creation of the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars). They said that Jupiter would have cleared the inner planets, particularly Mercury and Mars, if it had ever strayed into the inner solar system.

The four inner planets would have formed long after the four outer planets if the Nice Model were true. Or they could be the survivors of Jupiter’s apocalypse. This means that the other inner planets were flung farther into the solar system along with one or two planets from the outer solar system.^[9]

1 Tiamat

The Sumerians believed that a planet called Tiamat lay between Mars and Jupiter. However, there is some debate about where this planet is today. In his book, Dark Matter, Missing Planets and New Comets, Tom van Flandern claimed that the planet was destroyed 65 million years ago and became the asteroid belt.

Zecharia Sitchin disputed this in his books The Twelfth Planet and The Cosmic Code. Instead, he declared that Tiamat had changed orbit and is now Earth. Sitchin said that Tiamat changed orbit after colliding with a hypothetical planet called Marduk and its three moons.

Sitchin claimed that the collision formed a new planet that broke in half. Two chunks of it moved closer to the Sun to become the Earth and the Moon while leftover debris became the asteroid belt. Sitchin added that Tiamat’s former moons were also flung into new orbits. He believes that one of the moons crashed into Mars and created the great rift.^[10]

Fantasy movies often conjure the most fantastic make-belief creatures. But one need not look to fiction to find creatures so surreal that they beggar belief. Earth’s natural world has a sense of humor—there are giant versions of normal species and spiders that look like rabbits.

In the darker corners, fish suddenly melt and large creepy crustaceans burrow into corpses. That aside, rainbow squirrels and ghostly tubes longer than a bus also prove that the world’s most surreal animals are also among the most glorious.

10 White Whale

When Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick in 1851, the story about the white whale became a classic. The pale cetaceans are not pure invention. For instance, Galon de Leche (“Milk Gallon”), an albino whale, is a local celebrity off the coast of Mexico.

There have been several sightings of a white whale in the area, but nobody knows if it is the same animal or different individuals. However, they are rare. In 2003, a pure-white calf was allegedly seen. Unfortunately, there exists no photographic evidence to back up the encounter.

Milk Gallon first received its name when researchers found the albino gray whale in 2008 and again in 2016, this time with a normal-colored calf by its side. The most recent sighting happened in 2019 when a whale-watching guide saw a white gray whale breach near the Baja California coast, Mexico.^[1]

Manuel Gonzalez was savvy enough to record footage of the animal. He did not repeat the mistake of the crew who possibly sighted Milk Gallon as a calf in 2003.

9 Stiletto Snakes

In 2019, researchers looked under rocks and plants in the forests of Guinea and Liberia. They were rewarded with a new species of snake. They found three of the unassuming brown creatures, which proved to be hairy foes.

The new guy turned out to be a member of a group known as stiletto snakes. Forget about picking them up the usual way. Grasping behind the head with one’s fingers could end with a snakebite. Stilettos have a unique ability: They can deliver a poisonous stab without opening their maws.

Special fangs grow from their mouth corners, allowing the snake to stab sideways. As the Guinea-Liberia scientists found out for themselves, the reptiles also lunge distances equal to their own body length.^[2]

Luckily, stilettos are not fatal. The bad news is that their venom is cytotoxic (a substance that destroys cells). The snakes pack a potent amount, and without the correct antivenom, a bitten hand risks losing a few fingers.

8 Melting Fish

In 2018, a scientific expedition plunged 7.5 kilometers (4.7 mi) into the Atacama Trench. Located off the coast of Peru, it is one of the deepest places in the sea. Footage captured three new species of snailfish.

Despite the depth, there were plenty of invertebrates and the snailfish appeared to be the top, well-fed predator of the bunch. This was quite remarkable considering that the pressure down there would destroy a human. That is also what happened in reverse when scientists tried to bring the fish to the surface.

As it turned out, what people perceive as normal surface pressure was deadly to the creatures. To survive the depths, the snailfish evolved a squishy body with almost no structural pieces. The most substantial parts were their teeth and inner ear bones.

This soft fragility made the snailfish remarkably tough but only at a depth where they were kept together by the high pressures. When a few were caught and brought to the surface, they disintegrated so rapidly that it looked like they melted.^[3]

7 The Lagoon Blob

In 2017, something weird surfaced in British Columbia. It resembled a brain crossed with a bowl of jelly. Scientists removed it from a lagoon in Vancouver, but this was no wayward movie monster. The gelatinous goop was a group of microscopic creatures called zooids.

In scientific jargon, the brain-like colony is a bryozoan and the lagoon case was identified as Pectinatella magnifica. This type has never been seen in the area before. All known samples came from east of the Mississippi River.^[4]

This added fuel to the debate trying to settle whether the creatures are an invasive species. Their muddy color often makes the colony look like river rocks or turns them invisible in dark water. Indeed, the Vancouver bryozoan was only spotted because water levels dropped enough to make it visible.

They could have been overlooked all these years or recently invaded beyond their borders due to climate change, as some suggest. Either way, the wobbly balls are ancient survivors. The fossil record shows that zooid colonies go back 470 million years.

6 Football-Size Isopods

Isopods belong to the crustacean clan, just like crabs and lobsters. In 2019, scientists caught the creatures on camera during an experiment. The team wanted to find out what scavengers trotted closer when a big piece of meat fell to the bottom of the sea. In this case, the piece was an entire alligator.

Once it hit the seafloor in the Gulf of Mexico, it did not take long for the isopods to emerge. Each was roughly the size of a football. They were a sickly pale color and resembled lobsters. The weird look was outclassed by their gory behavior. Within 24 hours, several had burrowed halfway into the alligator’s stomach to eat the reptile from the inside out.^[5]

The crustaceans’ slick ability to get through the alligator’s thick skin surprised the researchers. Then again, isopods are known for their strangeness. The nightmarish creatures can go for years without food.

Perhaps with that in mind, isopods gorge themselves whenever the opportunity presents. Case in point: When one tried swimming away from the alligator, it dropped to the seafloor like an anvil, too stuffed to move properly.

5 Blue Lobster

In all his years as a lobsterman, Robin Russell had never seen anything like it. When he checked his traps in 2017, there was a blue lobster between the usual brown ones. The creature also had areas with faded pink and periwinkle, giving it a mild rainbow look.

Called “Lucky,” the crustacean avoided the dinner plate and found a home at a science center. Lucky might be an eye-popping sight, but blue lobsters turn up every few years. In fact, lobster coloration is rather mercurial. A pigment called astaxanthin changes color depending on its amount, outside influences, or how astaxanthin contorts.

Usually, lobsters are brown. They only develop the bright red that fine diners know so well when boiling water messes with the pigment. Lucky and his blue brethren remain mysterious. Researchers think the reasons might include low levels of astaxanthin.^[6]

When completely removed from their diet, lobsters turn white. A genetic mutation might also be responsible. In the past, mutations produced some funky lobsters—brilliant yellows, a calico with dots, and lobsters with a two-toned split look.

4 An Enormous Bee

Alfred Russel Wallace found a giant bee. The serious-looking black creature was four times the size of a honeybee. This was in 1858, and for over a century, the so-called Wallace’s giant bee vanished.

Thought to be extinct, it made a comeback in 1981 when an entomologist found six nests scattered throughout the Bacan Islands. After this sighting, the enormous buzzers disappeared again.

In 2019, a team of scientists scoured Indonesian islands in search of the world’s largest bee. The expedition reached its final day when a local guide spotted the nest. It was already known that Wallace bees nested inside termite mounds, but none inspected by the team had yielded any of the creatures.

This mound was in a forest in North Maluku and contained a queen Wallace. The photos and video of her were the first taken of the species. Her wingspan measured 6 centimeters (2.5 in) long, and the creature had massive mandibles.^[7]

The bees may keep disappearing because the region is exceptionally remote.

3 Arachnid With Rabbit Head

Scientist Andreas Kay browsed Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest in 2017. He encountered a tiny creature with a really odd look. The photographs showed something resembling a spider with a black bunny’s head. As bizarre and new as it looked, the species had been discovered in 1959.

About the size of a thumbnail, it was also not a spider but a harvestman. This type of arachnid is more popularly known as a “daddy longlegs.” Unfortunately, researchers don’t have much information about this particular species which is known as the bunny harvestman.

Little research has been done on the creature’s unique body shape, despite being known for decades. However, the rabbit look probably has an important purpose. The two false ears and false yellow eyes could be a way to deter predators.^[8]

Whatever the reason, harvestmen are exceptionally successful as a group. There are thousands of species, and they are older than the dinosaurs.

2 Rainbow Squirrel

In 2019, an amateur photographer uploaded images of a squirrel to Instagram. They were a smash hit. This was no ordinary squirrel. The animal appeared to have been dyed in sections or perhaps digitally altered.

The good news is that the rainbow-colored rodent is 100 percent organic. Called Malabar giant squirrels, they hug trees in the Indian peninsula. This particular specimen was a beautiful example of their bright fur that could include orange, purple, and indigo.

Sadly, not every Malabar has a technicolor dreamcoat. It is more common to see animals with different shades of brown like beige, rust, and tan. Either way, both could play a role in camouflage and looking good for the opposite gender.

The creatures are also impressively large. Measuring about 1 meter (3 ft) long, they rarely leave the safety of high branches. When they feel like traveling to the next tree, they launch their bright bulk up to 6 meters (20 ft) through the air.^[9]

1 Pyrosoma Colony

In 2018, divers filmed underwater scenes near White Island in New Zealand. Suddenly, they were surprised by a ghostly creature. The ribbonlike tube measured 8 meters (26 ft) long. It looked like a giant worm.

However, the floating feature was a colony of creatures called tunicates. These plankton-nibbling critters look like tiny rods but are complex organisms with spinal cords. Their ability to clone means that the “ribbon” can live forever.

A single colony is also known as a pyrosome and can grow as long as 18 meters (60 ft). This made the New Zealand case one of the smaller tunicate villages. The largest “cities” are often built by a species called Pyrosoma spinosum. Not only do they make the most breathtakingly long pyrosomes, but the bioluminescent variety of tunicates also turn the colony into a glowing wonderland.^[10]

Temples are sacred places of worship. Countless numbers have been built since time immemorial, just as countless numbers have been destroyed and completely forgotten. However, some have lasted for centuries and remain in remarkably good condition today.

10Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Si Sanphet, or the Temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet, was built around the 15th century. Unlike Thailand’s other temples, monks were not allowed to live in it. Instead, it was used exclusively for storing royal items and conducting royal ceremonies.

In 1491, King Ramathibodi II added two chedis to the temple to hold the remains of members of his family. Chedis are a vital part of Thailand’s temples. They’re built after the body of a deceased loved one has been cremated, and the ashes of the dead are usually kept inside.

One of the two chedis built by Ramathibodi II held the ashes of his late father while the other held the ashes of his late brother. Seven years later, he added an assembly hall where the statue of Buddha Phra Si Sanphet was placed. The statue was covered in about 200 kilograms (440 lb) of gold.

It was this statue that later popularized the temple and gave it its name. Unfortunately, the gold covering the statue was looted in 1767 by the invading Burmese army, who also destroyed much of the temple.

9Dwarkadhish Temple

Suvarna Dwarka, a town in ancient Anarta, India, was the capital city of Lord Krishna’s kingdom. It’s the home of the Dwarkadhish temple, which is regarded as one of the holiest places in the world by Hindus. It is also their most important site for pilgrimages.

Its main idol is an image of Krishna depicted as the god Vishnu, with four arms. It is believed that Krishna is an incarnation of Vishnu. There are also idols of Baldejvi (Krishna’s brother) and Pradyumna and Aniruddha (Krishna’s son and grandson). There are also several other shrines dedicated to his mother, Shiva, and Vishnu himself.

The temple is an imposing five-story building with 72 pillars and a 78-meter-high (255 ft) temple spire. On top of the temple is a 25-meter (84 ft) flag with images of the Sun and the Moon. The 2,500-year-old temple has two entrances: Its northern entrance is called “Moksha Dwara,” which means “Door to Salvation,” and its southern entrance is called “Swarga Dwara,” which means “Gate to Heaven.”

8Wat Tham Suea

Wat Tham Suea is located in Thailand and was given the name “Tiger Cave Temple” after the tiger’s paw prints that line the walls of the limestone cave in which it was built. It’s considered a holy site by the Buddhists in Krabi, Thailand.

About 250 monks and nuns presently live in and maintain the temple. Tourists come as much for the temple as for the breathtaking natural beauty of the surrounding forest. Massive banyan trees grow everywhere, and one of these—nicknamed the “Wonderful Tree”—is believed to have the largest root system of any tree in Thailand. Archaeologists have also unearthed idols, beads, pottery, and tools made during the Stone Age in the area around the temple.

Tiger Cave Temple is surrounded by several cells that were built into the caves and cliffs around the main building; these natural dormitories serve as the living quarters for the monks. The temple itself is filled with skulls, skeletons, and explicit paintings. The most extraordinary part of the temple is probably the shrine at its top, but to get there you’ll have to trudge up 1,200 steps.

7Wat Tilok Aram

Wat Tilam Aram is over 500 years old, and while it comes with a grab bag of interesting historical facts, most of its intrigue comes from its recent history. The temple is believed to have being built by King Tilokanart of the Mengrai dynasty and was deliberately submerged more than 68 years ago during the construction of Phayao Lake.

Recent attempts to drain the water around the temple have been met with resistance because doing so might cause more damage to the temple than anything the water could do. The project could also affect fishing in the area and cause damage to the ecosystem.

The plan was eventually shelved and a floating platform was built over the underwater temple instead. The temple itself has suffered extensive damage, and all that remains of it are four poles, some debris, and a massive concrete wall.

6Pyramid Of The Magician

Uxmal, which means “built thrice,” is a destroyed Mayan city in Yucatan, Mexico. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. One of its major landmarks is the “Pyramid of the Magician,” which is also called the “House of the Dwarf” because of the belief that it was built by a dwarf who hatched from an egg. According to legend, the dwarf grew into an adult in a day and built the pyramid in a night. In reality, the pyramid was constructed in the sixth century.

Standing an impressive 35 meters (115 ft) tall, the pyramid is the biggest building in Uxmal. It actually contains several temples that were built before the pyramid itself was erected—it wasn’t uncommon for the Maya to construct new buildings on top of older ones. Temple IV—one of the temples at the top of the pyramid—has 12 masks hung around its doorway. The masks were originally believed to represent Chac, the god of rain, but this has been disputed.

Another temple at the top, Temple V, was built around A.D. 1000. It might have been inspired by the Governor’s Palace, which stood nearby.

5Temple Of The Inscriptions

The Temple of the Inscriptions is another Mayan temple built on top of a pyramid that was erected between A.D. 672 and 682. The 20-meter-tall (66 ft) temple has four pillars decorated with the image of several adults carrying a deformed child who has a snake-like leg with six toes.

The name of the temple was derived from the three tablets inside, which are marked with Mayan glyphs and date as far back as A.D. 692. One is inscribed with the names of early Mayan kings before King Pakal, while another gives information about the life of Pakal himself. They also give information about the future—the year 4772, to be exact. The temple also contains one of the most popular iconographic monuments in Mayan history: the lid of a stone coffin showing Pakal falling into the world below at the time of his death.

The town of Palenque—where the Temple of the Inscriptions stands—was abandoned completely forgotten until 1773, when it was discovered, lost, and discovered again. No one knows its real Mayan name. The name it bears today came from the neighboring village of Santo Domingo de Palenque.

4Asamai Temple

The Hindu population of Afghanistan has been greatly reduced in recent years because of pressure from the Mujahideen and the Taliban, which forced them to flee to India. Within nine years, the numbers of Hindu worshipers in Afghanistan fell from 20,000 families to just 500 families.

Asamai Temple in Kabul is one of the few temples still standing in Afghanistan today. It is named after the Asamai Mountain, or Koh-i-Asamai. The Asamai Mountain itself is named after Asha, the goddess of hope. According to legend, Asha lives at the very top of the mountain. It is believed that the fire in the temple, the Perpetual Light or Akhand Jyoti, has been burning continuously for 4,000 years.

Inside the temple is the Panjshir Ka Jogi stone, which is believed to be hundreds of years old. It is named after a Hindu ascetic who used to meditate in the Panjshir Valley. After being harassed by the local populace, he was forced to turn himself into a stone.

3The Great Plaza Temples

The Great Plaza is the most important building in Tilak, Guatemala. It is also home to two ancient Mayan temples—Temple I, also called the “Temple of the Great Jaguar,” and Temple II, also called the “Temple of the Mask.”

The Temple of the Great Jaguar was constructed by Ah Cacao, who was also known as Jasaw Chan K’awiil. Ah Cacao was responsible for bringing Tilak back to its original position of affluence and power after a stagnant period of more than 150 years in which no new buildings were built and no important event was recorded.

Much unlike many other buildings in Tilak, the Great Plaza Temples were built within a short time. Ah Cacao was able to complete the construction of Temple II but left Temple I—which was to be his own final resting place—to be completed by his son. Ancient Maya believed that Temple I was the gateway to the underworld.

When Ah Cacao passed away, his son buried him with pottery, jade, and shells and then built Temple I over his tomb. The burial of Ah Cacao in Temple I was also a break from the norm—according to tradition, the kings of Tilak were usually buried in the North Acropolis.

2Varaha Cave Temple

The Varaha Cave Temple in Mahabalipuram, India was built straight into a mountainside in the seventh century. It’s dedicated to Vishnu, and it holds some of the most intricate Hindu rock-cut sculptures in the world. These include highly detailed two-dimensional sculptures of Lakshmi, Durga, and Varaha, the boar-shaped incarnation of Vishnu. The temple’s pillars are carved to look like lions, and several panels show Varaha carrying Bhudevi—the goddess of mother Earth—out of the ocean.

There are also sculptures of Vishnu saving the Earth and several others of Durga, Gajalakshmi, and many mythological creations. One shows Durga and Trivikrama killing Mahishasura, a demon with a buffalo head and a human body. Gajalakshmi is also depicted sitting on a lotus while being bathed by elephants.

1Temple Of Dendur

The Temple of Dendur is an Egyptian temple presently in New York. It was built in Egypt in 15 B.C. during the reign of Roman emperor Augustus Caesar. The temple was given to the United States in 1965 and is presently displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It honors the goddess Isis and two other gods, Harpocrates and Osiris. It also honors Peteese and Pihor, the sons of a Nubian chief who assisted the Romans during war.

The Temple of Dendur used to sit on the banks of the Nile, close to the Egyptian town of Tutzis. It was removed from its original site along with several other temples to prevent it from being damaged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser. While most of the other temples were simply moved to higher ground, Egypt decided to give the Temple of Dendur to the US as a show of thanks for helping with the temple-moving project. The temple was dismantled into 642 blocks which weighed more than 800 tons in total before being packed into 661 crates and shipped to the US.

Elizabeth is an aspiring writer and blogger. She enjoys reading your comments. You can also email her at [email protected].

Warfare has evolved quite a bit from the first time we looked at another group of people and decided to fight them. We’ve come a long way from charging headfirst into each other and hoping our weapons hit their intended targets. There may have been a time when just having superior battle tactics and higher numbers would have ensured victory, though now, a numerically inferior force could easily take on a much bigger one by just having a technological upper hand on the battlefield.

Nearly all of the biggest countries in the world are now working hard at gaining that upper hand, and some of the breakthroughs in military tech in recent times have started to resemble things straight out of science fiction. While we knew that these technologies would definitely be a regular part of warfare at some point in the future, we didn’t know that future would be here so soon.

10 EMP

The idea of a superpowered weapon that could theoretically release a burst of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. an electromagnetic pulse [EMP]) and incapacitate all electronics in a given area has existed in science fiction for a long time. Any army that has access to such a weapon would gain an automatic advantage in a battle, as even one working weapons system is better than thousands that are disabled.

Many countries have ongoing projects attempting to make such a thing, but it looks like the US Air Force already has it. Called the Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project, or CHAMP, the weapon was able to successfully target and disable the electronics of seven separate buildings during a test in Utah.^[1] Thankfully, it’s able to pinpoint specific targets instead of just bombarding a whole area with the pulse, ensuring that civilians won’t be affected during a live operation.

9 Hypersonic Missiles

The speed of sound isn’t anywhere close to the speed of light, and saying that overtaking it is any sort of a breakthrough in 2019 would be dishonest. We have many things that can breach the sound barrier like it’s nothing, though most of it is military tech, like jets and missiles, and also super-expensive to build. It’s not the same for hypersonic speed, though, which is at least five times the speed of sound and much more difficult to achieve.

It’s one of those things we thought we’d see farther in the future, but that was until China put its hypersonic missiles to the test.^[2] Unfortunately for all of China’s potential enemies, the tests were successful. Developing hypersonic missiles has been a top priority for the United States for some time now, so it would be interesting to see what they come up with now that China has seemingly taken the lead in that arms race.

8 Micro-Drones

Thirty years ago, few would have imagined that we’d have unmanned flying objects capable of carrying out military operations from a safe distance. Drones (aka UAVs) have already transformed the way we conduct warfare as well as other parts of life, like news reporting and drunken bets at tech school parties.

Despite their utility in warfare, there are some things that UAVs still can’t easily do, like carrying out an operation undetected. For that, they’d have to be minimized to an almost undetectable scale, something science fiction authors have played around with quite a few times. It sounds overpowered and kind of scary, as tiny armed drones no one can see could wreak havoc in the wrong hands. It’s a relief, then, that they’re still quite a bit away in the distant future, right? Well, no.

In January 2017, the Pentagon announced that it had successfully tested a group of 103 micro-drones, each about 16 centimeters (6 in) in length.^[3] They’re largely autonomous in nature and are capable of things like collective decision-making, changing formations according to situation, and “healing” themselves. And no, that’s not all; they also have plans to some day be able to fit advanced and deadly technologies on their minuscule drones, including tiny nukes.

7 Weaponizing AI

Many scientific and military experts have grave, and justified, concerns about artificial intelligence being allowed into the realm of warfare. Even if a full-fledged killer robot uprising isn’t really that big of a concern at this point, it poses many other ethical questions we need to answer first. How do we make sure that autonomous, self-learning weapons know the difference between combatants and civilians, when even we mistake the two every now and then? More importantly, how do we hold a machine accountable for its actions? Going to jail isn’t really a deterrent for it.

Despite those concerns, artificial intelligence is already a part of warfare to a larger extent than those concerned about it would be comfortable with. Take Israel’s “Harop” loitering munition system, which is essentially a suicide drone that can self-destruct if it’s able to lock on to what it perceives as a target, like enemy combatants or antiaircraft missile systems.^[4] It has already been successfully used on the battlefield, and the scariest part is that it’s capable of deciding what to dive-bomb entirely on its own. Reportedly, Germany also has completely automated missile systems capable of shooting down enemy missiles without any human intervention.

There’s a silver lining, though; AI developers aren’t as easily available for hire as general weapons experts, and many in Silicon Valley have explicitly refused to work with the military to try to ensure that AI’s use in warfare remains limited.

6 Mind-Controlled Weapons

Imagine simply linking your brain to a weapon, vehicle, robot, or what have you and being able to pilot it with a deftness and fluidity you’d never attain with a joystick, to be the fighter jet or Pacific Rim-style giant death robot. If you think that it’s safe to say that it’ll be some time before we can actually do that, you’d be wrong; the tech already exists.

In one study, neuroscientists developed something known as the “brainet,” where two monkeys were taught how to control a digital limb with the help of just their thoughts. While it has noncombat applications, especially in aiding people with brain damage or disabilities in their day-to-day tasks, it could also be used for military purposes. The US Department of Defense already has ongoing programs looking into creating mind-controlled weapons, and we could see them put to use quite soon.^[5]

5 Exoskeleton Suit

Anyone who has played first-person shooters is probably familiar with the concept of an exoskeleton suit, an exterior suit of powered armor that provides enhanced protection and capabilities. The idea, in various forms, has been explored quite a bit in fiction as well; just look at Iron Man.

While something as high-tech and awesome as Tony Stark’s duds will take some time to develop, an exoskeleton suit already exists. In 2018, Russia tested its RATNIK-3 prototype. The tests were largely successful; the tester was able to carry heavy loads and shoot a machine gun one-handed. The suit is made with a titanium framework to increase the soldier’s strength and stamina.^[6]

It has a limitation, though: It doesn’t have much in the way of energy storage, so it can only work for a limited time. They’re working on fixing that, though. Either way, the RATNIK-3 sounds like a working exoskeleton suit to us.

4 Seeing Through Walls

Gone are the days of face-to-face battles on large fields. The wars of today are largely urban in nature, which is partly due to the combatants being non-state actors and guerilla fighters. That also makes it all the more difficult, as booby traps and ambushes in densely populated urban battlefields can bring the best armies to a halt (as seen in Iraq and Afghanistan).

Many countries have been trying to perfect their own technologies for being able to scan an area before they move in, but that would require the ability to see through walls, and no one really has that. Or don’t they? Some recent breakthroughs have proven that not only is it closer than we thought, but the tech to see through walls already exists.

In 2015, a Czech radar manufacturer successfully built a device that can see what’s on the other side of the wall, as long as whoever is behind the wall is moving their limbs or breathing. If that’s not good enough, in 2018, a group of researchers from MIT developed an AI-type technology that can see anyone through walls with an accuracy of 83 percent, complete with a moving image of their stick-like form in real time.^[7]

In another breakthrough at the Technical University of Munich in 2017, researchers were able to do the same thing with Wi-Fi routers. We’re pretty sure we saw something like that in a movie once.

3 Seeking Bullets

You may not at all be surprised to hear that in a battle, enemy combatants, at least competent ones, are trained to make shooting them difficult. That’s exactly why a type of ammunition developed by DARPA, the research wing of the US Department of Defense, is so impressive and deadly. Known as EXACTO, it’s not just able to home in on a hard-to-hit, dug-in target; it also has the ability to change course midway depending on enemy movement and is accurate to a scary degree.^[8]

Not just that, they’re also actively trying to develop an auto-aiming rifle, which uses computation and advanced algorithms to only fire when the shot should hit, without the shooter having to rely on his judgement of wind conditions and visibility.

2 Freeze Ray

Unlike most other items on this list, which could aid good guys as well as rogue armies, the “freeze ray,” a weapon that can literally freeze someone in his tracks, has generally been portrayed in fiction as something villains use. Of course, we don’t really have anything that can do that from a distance and in a short burst of time, right? Well, a team from the University of Washington developed something along those lines in 2015.

It works by shooting a laser at a liquid and freezing it. We already had the tech to do this to solids in a vacuum, this was the first time it had been done to a liquid. Also, lasers generally heat objects up rather than cooling them down.

Future applications for technology of this sort extend far beyond freezing people in a battle, of course. The researchers think that it could theoretically be used to freeze and slow down the division process in living cells, possibly giving us a better understanding of the mechanisms behind aging and cancer.^[9]

1 Invisibility Cloak

The ability to become invisible whenever we want wouldn’t just be valuable for the military; a lot of us could make use of such an ability in many of our daily interactions. It has been imagined and discussed in science fiction since we started writing science fiction, and even in 2019, it still sounds like something from the future. Fortunately for military contractors as well as people who keep getting stuck in awkward conversations, invisibility cloaks are no longer the stuff of the distant future or science fiction. In fact, we’ve had at least one invisibility cloak since 2012.

A Canadian company called Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corporation has successfully built a material that can make you invisible. It’s also passive in nature, which means that it doesn’t reproduce your background on any kind of screen; it just “bends light around an object.”^[10] In other words, it’s an invisibility cloak exactly like you’d envision an invisibility cloak to be. The US military showed interest in purchasing it, because of course it did, and you might just see it deployed on a battlefield near you sooner than you’d have expected.

You can check out Himanshu’s stuff at Cracked and Screen Rant, get in touch with him for writing gigs, or just say hello to him on Twitter.

No gimmick diet can substitute for a healthy lifestyle—quality food, plenty of water, and exercise go a long way to keeping you in shape. Yet it feels as if every day, some new diet is introduced to us, and many people hop on the bandwagon without a moment’s doubt. Some diets work, and others don’t work at all, while some diets are so crazy and bizarre that we couldn’t help but share them with you.

10The Urine Diet

The urine diet is a bizarre weight loss practice that involves restricting your diet to 500 calories a day and injecting yourself with the urine of pregnant women. The diet can supposedly help you lose up to 0.5 kilograms (1 lb) a day. Strangely enough, this miraculous weight loss is attributed to the injection of urine, as opposed to the limit on your calorie intake.

The urine of pregnant women has a special hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is created by the placenta. If injected into the body of a non-pregnant person, this hormone can trick the brain into thinking that the body is pregnant, which, some say, makes the body metabolize much faster. Some of those who have tried the urine diet are extremely happy with the results and attribute their weight loss solely to the urine injections, firmly believing that it is thanks to these shots of urine that they did not feel hungry during the dieting period.

Skeptics, however, argue that the urine and the hCG hormone have nothing to do with weight loss. They accredit weight loss purely to the 500-calorie diet and warn that the urine diet poses obvious dangers. For a cheaper (the urine costs between $300 to $565 for a six-week supply) and more beneficial way to lose weight, limit your calorie intake (which you must do with this diet anyway), and take up exercise instead.

9The Dukan Diet

The Dukan diet was designed in 2000 by a French medical doctor and nutritionist, Pierre Dukan. It is based on the supposed diet of primitive man, who acquired his food solely through hunting and gathering. Followers of this diet can only eat certain foods, of which there are exactly 100. Twenty-eight of these foods come from plants, and 72 come from animals. By following this strict regimen, you can supposedly lose up to 5 kilograms (10 lb) a week, but this extremely restrictive diet also suggests exercising and drinking plenty of water, which is probably a good idea anyway.

The Dukan diet is made up of four stages. Stage one is known as the “attack phase,” during which you can only eat lean protein (such as beef, eggs, and fish), albeit in unlimited amounts. During this stage, you must also eat 1.5 tablespoons of oat bran, which is supposed to stifle hunger, as well as drink at least six cups of water a day. This stage lasts up to 10 days. The second stage is known as the “cruise phase” and can last up to several months. Non-starchy vegetables (such as spinach and lettuce) are added to the diet, as well as an extra half a tablespoon of oat bran.

The third stage, or the “consolidation stage,” sees the addition of several specific foods, such as one piece of fruit and one serving of hard cheese. A couple of starchy foods can be occasionally consumed, and you are allowed one or two “celebration” foods a week. And finally, during the fourth and last phase called the “stabilization phase,” you are allowed to eat whatever you want except for one time a week, when you should follow the rules from the “attack phase.” During this phase, it is also recommended that you eat three tablespoons of oat bran a day and walk for at least 20 minutes.

8The Prayer Diet

The prayer diet is supposed to help you lose weight through prayer and constant communication with God. As with everything, consistency is the key, and best results will be achieved through daily prayer sessions, preferably in the morning. This will help you keep focused and make the necessary daily changes in your diet and exercise regimen. If you are stuck for suitable prayers, look no further than the Internet. Here’s one great example: “Guide me Lord, as I strive to lose weight. You are my light and my anchor, and with You I know all things are possible.”

It is not just Christians who can use this diet. Members of other religions or traditions can also put this diet into use by praying to their Creator, while atheists and non-believers are told to pray to their Higher Power, Higher Self, or Nature.

Of course, praying is not enough to lose the unnecessary weight. No matter how much you pray, if you just lie on the sofa all day, the pounds will not magically disappear, barring true divine intervention. Even the creator of this diet admits that prayer is just the first step in the journey of weight loss. The other necessary steps include nutritional education, healthy eating (in smaller quantities), and plenty of exercise. So perhaps the daily prayer is not that necessary after all.

7The Cotton Ball Diet

The incredibly risky cotton ball diet involves dipping cotton balls into fruit juice, smoothies, or lemonade and then swallowing them whole. Eating the cotton balls apparently makes you feel full and satisfied and less likely to overeat normal food. The diet is mainly used by young teenagers, and videos showing exactly how to do it have been uploaded to YouTube.

It is believed that the diet was introduced to the general public by Eddie Murphy’s daughter, Bria Murphy, after she witnessed models desperate to stay skinny eating cotton balls dipped into juice.

The cotton ball diet has extremely dangerous consequences that come with it, including malnutrition and choking, as well as the creation of a specific mass called a “bezoar,” which obstructs the intestines. In addition, most cotton balls are not made from cotton wool at all but rather from bleached polyester fibers that contain various chemicals additives. The diet has earned rightful uproar from the media, as it has some real medical harm and should not be tried at home.

6The Tongue Patch Diet

The tongue patch diet, started by Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon Dr. Chugay, supposedly helps people lose up to 15 kilograms (30 lb) a month. It involves cosmetic surgery, during which a restrictive patch the size of a postage stamp is stitched to the tongue, making eating solid foods so painful that patients only consume liquids. The patch costs “only” $2,000.

According to Dr. Chugay’s own website, patients who opt for the “miracle patch” are put on a liquid diet that fulfills all of their nutritional needs and is easy to follow. Furthermore, the patients are under the direct supervision of either Dr. Chugay himself or his staff.

The side effects of this ridiculous diet include difficulty in speaking due to the swelling of the tongue, sudden waking from sleep, drooling, constant pain, and the possibility of an ulcer or an infection. It could also cause an airway obstruction, which could either partially or totally prevent air from getting to your lungs.

All this for just $2,000? Thanks, but we’ll pass.

5Ear Stapling

The practice, derived from Chinese acupuncture, involves fixing surgical staples to the inner cartilage of each ear, which supposedly stimulates a specific point that curbs your appetite. Practitioners suggest leaving them in for two to three months for best results.

This bizarre “diet” became popular in the 2000s, but it has been around ever since the 1970s, when it was called “staplepuncture.” The necessary components of the ear stapling diet include healthy eating and exercise, which makes the stapling seem rather useless, seeing as you will lose weight regardless of whether your ears will be stapled. As well as that, the unregulated activity can cause actual harm—ear infections or even disfigurement are a very likely consequence of this strange diet.

4Kangatarian Diet

A kangatarian diet involves eating only vegetables and kangaroo meat. These kangaroo eaters are better known as “kangatarians” and still describe themselves as being quasi-vegetarian while still eating red meat. According to this group, eating kangaroos is more ethical than eating other meat, as kangaroos are only fed wildly grown vegetation, are less destructive on land, and emit less methane (natural gas) than the cow—nature’s greatest methane generator. As well as that, most kangaroos spend their lives outdoors as opposed to cows and other animals, which are kept in horrific conditions most of their lives only to be slaughtered later.

Kangatarians claim that kangaroo meat is free-range, organic meat and is often the best choice for those who only want to eat healthy, organic food. It became legal to sell kangaroo meat in 1993, and ever since then, various misconceptions about the practice have arisen, such as a strong belief that kangaroos are farmed. However, seeing as it would be difficult to obtain kangaroo meat outside of Australia, it is unlikely that this diet will become a global movement.

3Cookie Diet

The cookie diet was created by weight loss expert and author Dr. Sanford Siegal and has supposedly helped thousands of people lose an average of 7 kilograms (15 lb) a month. According to Dr. Siegal, hunger is what stands in the way of a successful diet, and thus it is best to have nine small snacks and one generous meal a day. However, the small snack cannot just be anything; it must be a specially formulated cookie that contains only 60 calories within it. The cookies, which cost $50–$60 per box, are made in Dr. Siegal’s own bakery and are only offered to the patients of his clinics. Dinner must consist of only 500–700 calories and can include foods such as chicken, turkey, or seafood. Dieters are also allowed to consume a cup of vegetables with dinner and a total of eight glasses of liquid a day.

However, the cookie diet lacks vital nutritional staples that provide us with the necessary minerals and vitamins, as well as proper vegetables and fruit. Even Dr. Siegel himself admits that the cookie diet is not a diet people should stay on permanently. Besides, if you’re going to go on this bizarre cookie diet, why not use real cookies instead?

2Clay Cleanse Diet

A clay cleanse diet involves consuming bentonite clay, a type of volcanic ash, which supposedly detoxifies the body by absorbing toxins and carrying them out of you. Bentonite clay includes many minerals such as calcium and magnesium and has been dubbed “healing clay.” When taken with water, bentonite clay swells up in your body and makes the dieter feel full.

A study testing the safety of clay was conducted in 2005 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, during which 50 volunteers consumed various amounts. While no evidence was found suggesting that bentonite clay is good for detoxification, products containing bentonite clay were declared somewhat safe. Nevertheless, it is not advised to take more than one teaspoon of bentonite clay a day, and plenty of water must be drunk with it as well as throughout.

There is no real scientific evidence that bentonite clay actually helps with weight loss, and the consequences of the “clay cleanse” diet include constipation, bowel obstruction, dehydration, low blood pressure, and nutritional deficiencies. Thus, the risks of this diet certainly seem to outweigh the merits.

1Baby Food Diet

The baby food diet was supposedly started by the fitness guru Tracy Anderson and involves replacing breakfast and lunch with 14 jars of baby food. A healthy dinner with plenty of vegetables and practically no fatty meats completes the day. The really interesting thing about the baby food diet, however, is that it is not actually a diet for weight loss but rather a maintenance diet. Thus, before you embark on a baby food spree, you should first lose all the unnecessary pounds since the baby food diet only helps you to stay thin—it doesn’t actually make you lose weight.

Since baby food is mostly made from fruits and vegetables, your intake of these nutritious plants will increase. Baby food also usually comes in small packages with limited serving sizes, which can help you control the amount you eat. As well as that, no cooking on your part will be required. However, no scientific research has been done—it is unclear how baby food might affect your body. In addition, this diet might cause fiber shortfall, and it is unclear whether this diet does actually help to maintain your body weight. And with no real scientific research, who would actually want to snack on gross baby food when there are plenty of other options available?

Laura is a student from Ireland in love with books, writing, coffee, and cats.

Among the many medical anomalies that humans may face, there exist diseases so strange that they defy logic and challenge our understanding of human biology. These rare conditions, often sounding like something out of a science fiction novel, are real and profoundly impact the lives of those afflicted. From the bizarre to the downright terrifying, these diseases puzzle medical professionals and evoke curiosity in the rest of us.

While incredibly rare, these conditions offer a glimpse into the complex and sometimes unfathomable nature of our bodies. Exploring these diseases reveals the incredible diversity of human pathology. Each condition presents unique symptoms and challenges, often requiring equally unique approaches to treatment and care. By delving into the world of these unusual diseases, we learn about the fragility and resilience of the human body and gain a deeper appreciation for medical advancements that strive to alleviate the suffering of those affected.

Related: Top 10 Horrible Diseases that Came From Animals

10 Maple Syrup Urine Disease

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is as peculiar as its name suggests. This rare metabolic disorder is characterized by the body’s inability to break down certain amino acids, leading to a distinctive sweet-smelling urine reminiscent of maple syrup. The condition primarily affects infants and, if left untreated, can result in severe neurological damage or even death. Early diagnosis and dietary management are crucial for those affected by this disorder.

The sweet odor is caused by the accumulation of branched-chain amino acids and their toxic by-products in the blood and urine. Symptoms often appear within the first few days of life and include poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, and abnormal movements. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must carry a copy of the defective gene to pass it on to their child.

Treatment for MSUD involves a strict diet low in the offending amino acids, supplemented with a special formula. Regular monitoring of blood levels is essential to prevent metabolic crises. Despite the challenges, with proper management, individuals with MSUD can lead relatively normal lives.

Advancements in genetic research and newborn screening have improved the prognosis for those born with MSUD. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, significantly reducing the risk of complications.^[1]

9 Alien Hand Syndrome

Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is a rare neurological disorder where a person’s hand moves involuntarily, almost as if it has its own will. This strange condition often results from brain surgery, strokes, or neurodegenerative diseases that affect the brain’s control over voluntary movement. People with AHS may find their hand performing actions they did not intend, such as grabbing objects or touching their face.

The primary cause of alien hand syndrome is damage to the brain, particularly the corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres. This can happen during surgeries intended to treat epilepsy or due to other forms of brain trauma. Patients often describe their hand as behaving independently, which can be both distressing and disruptive to daily life.

Managing AHS involves behavioral techniques to control the hand’s movements, such as keeping the hand occupied with an object. While there is no cure, ongoing research aims to better understand this condition and improve treatment options.^[2]

8 Fish Odor Syndrome

Fish odor syndrome (FOS), medically known as trimethylaminuria (TMAU), is a metabolic disorder that causes a person’s sweat, breath, and urine to emit a strong, fish-like odor. This rare condition occurs due to the body’s inability to break down trimethylamine, a compound produced in the gut. The excess trimethylamine is then released in bodily fluids, resulting in the characteristic odor.

The primary cause of fish odor syndrome is a genetic mutation affecting the enzyme responsible for processing trimethylamine. This mutation can be inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must carry the defective gene to pass it on to their child. Symptoms can vary in intensity, with some individuals experiencing only mild odors while others may have more pronounced and persistent smells.

Living with FOS can be socially and emotionally challenging. The noticeable odor often leads to embarrassment, anxiety, and social isolation. Treatment typically involves dietary changes to reduce the intake of trimethylamine precursors found in certain foods like fish, eggs, and legumes. Some patients also benefit from supplements and medications that help reduce the production of trimethylamine in the gut. Despite its rarity, FOS significantly impacts those affected. Ongoing research aims to find more effective treatments and to better understand.^[3]

7 Stone Man Syndrome

Stone man syndrome, scientifically known as fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), is a rare and debilitating genetic disorder where soft tissues progressively turn into bone. This condition causes muscles, tendons, and ligaments to ossify, essentially creating a second skeleton that severely restricts movement and function. The process usually begins in childhood and advances throughout the person’s life.

FOP is caused by a mutation in the ACVR1 gene, which plays a crucial role in bone formation and growth. Even minor injuries can trigger episodes of rapid ossification, leading to painful and irreversible joints and muscle stiffening. As the disease progresses, individuals lose mobility, making everyday activities increasingly difficult and leading to severe disability.

There is currently no cure for stone man syndrome, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Doctors often advise avoiding activities that could cause injuries and using medications to reduce inflammation and pain. Research is ongoing to find more effective treatments and understand the mechanisms behind this rare condition.

Living with FOP requires significant adjustments and support. The progressive nature of the disease means that those affected must continuously adapt to new limitations. Awareness and understanding of stone man syndrome are crucial for providing adequate care and improving the quality of life for those affected.^[4]

6 Laughing Death (Kuru)

Laughing death, known scientifically as kuru, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that was once prevalent among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. This bizarre disease is characterized by uncontrollable laughter, tremors, and loss of coordination, eventually leading to death. Kuru is caused by infectious proteins called prions, which induce abnormal folding of normal brain proteins.

The transmission of kuru was linked to the practice of ritualistic cannibalism among the Fore tribe, where deceased relatives were consumed as part of their funeral rites. Ingesting infected brain tissue facilitated the spread of prions, leading to outbreaks of the disease. Symptoms typically began with headaches and joint pain, progressing to severe neurological impairment and emotional instability.

Efforts to eliminate kuru focused on ending the practice of cannibalism. Public health campaigns successfully educated the Fore people, leading to the cessation of these rituals and a dramatic decline in new cases. However, the historical impact of kuru remains a poignant reminder of the intersection between cultural practices and infectious diseases.^[5]

5 Water Allergy (Aquagenic Urticaria)

Water allergy, or aquagenic urticaria, is an exceptionally rare condition where contact with water causes hives and severe itching. This allergy can be triggered by water at any temperature, including sweat and tears, making it a highly debilitating condition. The exact cause of aquagenic urticaria is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a hypersensitivity reaction to an unknown substance in the water.

Symptoms typically appear within minutes of water exposure. Affected individuals experience red, itchy welts that can vary in severity. Even routine activities like bathing, swimming, or getting caught in the rain can trigger a painful reaction. The condition is not limited to any specific type of water, meaning both tap water and natural bodies of water can cause symptoms.

Living with aquagenic urticaria requires significant lifestyle adjustments. Protective measures, such as applying barrier creams or taking antihistamines, can help manage the symptoms. However, there is no cure, and the condition often persists throughout life. Due to its rarity, research is limited, and those affected often feel isolated and misunderstood.^[6]

4 Pica

Pica is a perplexing eating disorder characterized by the compulsive ingestion of non-food items. Individuals with pica may consume substances such as dirt, clay, chalk, paper, or even metal. This condition can occur in both children and adults and is often associated with other mental health disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or developmental issues.

The exact cause of pica remains unclear, but it is believed to stem from a combination of psychological, cultural, and nutritional factors. For example, some people with iron or zinc deficiencies may crave and consume non-nutritive substances. Pica can also be linked to stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and pregnancy, where unusual cravings are not uncommon.

Consuming non-food items can lead to serious health complications, including intestinal blockages, poisoning, and dental problems. Medical evaluation is crucial for individuals with pica to identify any underlying deficiencies or psychological conditions. Treatment typically involves addressing these root causes through nutritional supplements, behavioral therapy, and counseling.^[7]

3 Tree Man Syndrome (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis)

Tree man syndrome, scientifically known as Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), is an extremely rare genetic disorder characterized by the growth of bark-like warts and lesions on the skin. These growths, caused by an abnormal susceptibility to human papillomavirus (HPV), can appear anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands and feet. The condition often leads to severe disfigurement and significant physical discomfort.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must carry the defective gene to pass it on to their offspring. The disease typically manifests in childhood or early adulthood, with the warts growing progressively over time. These lesions can become so extensive that they resemble tree bark, hence the name tree man syndrome.

The growths associated with EV are not only cosmetically distressing but can also increase the risk of skin cancer. Treatment options are limited and primarily focus on surgical removal of the lesions, although the warts often regrow. Other treatments, such as retinoids and immunotherapy, are being explored but have shown varying degrees of success.

Living with tree man syndrome requires ongoing medical care and support. The condition’s rarity means that research is limited, but increased awareness can help drive funding and interest in finding more effective treatments.^[8]

2 Werewolf Syndrome (Hypertrichosis)

Werewolf syndrome, medically known as hypertrichosis, is a rare condition characterized by excessive hair growth all over the body, including areas where hair typically does not grow. This abnormal hairiness can give individuals a werewolf-like appearance, hence the name. Hypertrichosis can be congenital, present at birth, or acquired later in life due to certain medications or medical conditions.

The underlying cause of congenital hypertrichosis is often genetic mutations that lead to the overproduction of hair. In some cases, it is linked to other genetic disorders. Acquired hypertrichosis, on the other hand, can be triggered by drugs such as minoxidil, certain cancers, or metabolic disorders. The excessive hair growth can range from fine, lanugo-like hair to thick, dark hair resembling a pelt.

Managing hypertrichosis primarily involves cosmetic procedures such as shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal to reduce hair growth. However, these treatments are often temporary and must be repeated regularly. For many, the psychological impact of hypertrichosis is significant, leading to social anxiety and self-esteem issues. Despite its rarity, werewolf syndrome has captivated public imagination and media attention.^[9]

1 Exploding Head Syndrome

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) is a sleep disorder that causes sufferers to experience sudden, loud noises or explosive sensations in their heads just as they are falling asleep or waking up. These sounds, often described as a bomb exploding, a gunshot, or a loud clash of cymbals, are not real but rather a figment of the person’s mind. Although EHS is harmless, it can be extremely frightening and disruptive to sleep.

The exact cause of exploding head syndrome is not well understood, but it is thought to be related to minor seizures in the brain, sudden shifts in the middle ear components, or issues with the brain’s auditory processing during the transition between wakefulness and sleep. Stress, anxiety, and fatigue are known to exacerbate the condition.

Symptoms of EHS include the sensation of a loud noise or an explosive sound, sometimes accompanied by a flash of light or muscle jerks. The episodes are usually painless but can cause significant distress and anxiety, leading to difficulties in falling back asleep. Many people experience EHS only occasionally, but it can occur frequently for some.

Management of exploding head syndrome focuses on reducing stress and improving sleep hygiene. Techniques such as relaxation exercises, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding caffeine and heavy meals before bed can help mitigate the episodes. While EHS is not dangerous, understanding and managing it can greatly improve the quality of life for those affected.^[10]

“GMO” foods may seem like a modern phenomenon, made possible only because of well-funded labs and genome analysis. What most consumers don’t realize is that most of humanity’s crops were already genetically modified thousands of years ago. In almost all cases, our favorite fruits and vegetables were engineered to be fundamentally different from their wild ancestors.

SEE ALSO: 10 Foods That Have Been Genetically Modified Beyond Recognition

10Almonds

The almonds we eat today are a domesticated variety derived from several species of wild almonds, all of which are bitter, spiny, and contain deadly amounts of cyanide. In the wild, almond trees produce a sugary compound and an enzyme that inevitably combine into cyanide when the edible parts of the plant are chewed up.

The identities of the specific strains used to create modern almonds are unknown. However, it is clear that humans selected and interbred the sweetest varieties of bitter almonds until the nuts were edible. This is quite a feat, considering that eating a dozen or so of the toxic kind would kill whoever had the task of testing out the newest crops. Luckily, the mutation that halts cyanide production is a dominant one, and almonds quickly became a popular treat.

9Watermelon

The modern watermelon is one of the most extensively modified fruits in human history. Sub-Saharan Africans created the first domesticated varieties, which came in larger sizes and different colors. After the fruit’s introduction to Asia and Europe, it became substantially fleshier, sweeter, and larger.

Compared to the original watermelons found in the wild, which consisted mostly of seeds and weighed a mere 80 grams, modern ones are 91.5 percent water and weigh 2–8 kilograms (4–18 lb). Through several thousand years of artificial selection, the average volume of the watermelon has undergone a 1,680-fold increase.

The fruit’s appetizing red color is relatively new as well. It’s caused by the overproduction of the compound lycopene, a trait intentionally bred into watermelons by humans. Analysis of the watermelon genome also reveals that domestication has reduced the plant’s natural resistance to diseases. Today we are still modifying them, mostly to restore and then improve these natural immune functions.

8Broccoli, Cauliflower, And Other Cultivars

Broccoli doesn’t exist in the wild. Neither does cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, collards, or kale. All of these plants are the result of human cultivation, and they’re all the same species. These crops are artificially bred variations of the mustard plant Brassica oleracea. In its wild form, this plant produces several large leaves, as well as bunches of small yellow flowers. Different subspecies such as broccoli or cauliflower are created by modifying the expression of genes controlling the way the plant grows.

In broccoli, the flower clusters that once bloomed in the wild have been expanded into a cloud-like structure of many closed buds. In cauliflower, the flowery white head consists of mutant, undifferentiated cells that almost always remain sterile. One of the most striking examples of unique structures in this species is Romanesco broccoli: Its single modified bud is made up of smaller and smaller buds, forming a distinct logarithmic spiral pattern.

7Bananas

It seems like bananas were practically designed for us primates: They’re soft, seedless, tailor-made for the grip of our hand, and even come with a tab for easy opening. In reality, wild-type bananas are mostly inedible, and the plantains we eat today are completely different after genetic modifications. Wild-type bananas, which are tiny, tough, and filled with pit-like seeds, sometimes produce mutant variants without seeds.

Humans have been playing with this specific mutation for at least 6,500 years to produce all the varieties of seedless bananas available today. The banana’s design might even be too popular at this point; today’s mass-produced bananas are considered too genetically uniform, making them susceptible to diseases. Looks like we have some more work to do.

6Corn

The wild ancestor of modern-day corn is a grass known as Zea or teosintes. Ancient Meso-Americans began selectively breeding this species as far back as 10,000 years ago. Gradually, they produced a plant unlike any other found in the world.

These soft, starchy plants appeared suddenly and mysteriously in archaeological records; the secrets of its development were only discovered recently through molecular and genetic analysis. The most important change suppressed branching of stalks. As a result, the plant produces fewer ears, but these ears are enormous, with long rows of kernels.

Stranger still, very little was changed in the plant’s genome during its domestication. The difference between the ancient and modern version amounts to a mere five or so genes.

5Pumpkins

Pumpkins, squash, and all other gourds are cultivated forms of tiny ancient plants. They all hail from the genus Cucurbita, which has become one of the most important plant groups for human consumption. Like corn, it was domesticated in the Americas at least 7,000 years ago. Ancient varieties were small, with extremely bitter flesh and few seeds. At some point, they were bred to produce more seeds. Later in history, there was more focus on creating different shapes, sizes, and types of flesh.

Pumpkins are native to North America and have no known wild variety that still exists. Long before their domestication, specifically around 14,000 years ago when humans first arrived to the continent, the early varieties of pumpkin nearly went extinct. These plants were once rich in cucurbitacins, one of the bitterest compound groups known to science. It appears that humans first used these gourds as containers and later began to use them as food sources.

4Strawberries

Sweet, juicy strawberries are a very recent creation. Tiny ancestors were sometimes collected throughout the British Isles during the ice age, but the strawberry we enjoy today was cultivated as recently as the 1750s.

Mathematician and engineer Amedee-Francois Frezier brought a larger variety of wild strawberry while mapping out Chile for Louis XIV. After decades of trial and error, garden strawberries were created in France by crossing this plant with wild berries from America.

In 1759, pine strawberries became commercially significant. Finally, the huge, “modern” type of strawberry appeared by accident during hybridization experiments in 1806.

3Avocados

The original, primitive forms of the avocado are better described as “avocado-like fruits.” Unlike the fleshy, leathery-skinned kind we have today, most wild avocados are encased in hard shells. Uncultivated avocados are tiny enough to fit into the center of your palm, growing to about two or three inches in diameter. The wild-type flesh is gritty instead of creamy, and there is very little of it because the pit takes up almost all of the space inside the fruit. In 1927, agricultural explorer and researcher Wilson Popenoe commented that “the flavor is strong, not pleasant, and the fruit is scarcely considered eatable.”

For most of its time as a domesticated crop, the avocado remained unchanged due to its status as a sacred plant in tropical Mesoamerica. Large gardens—sometimes even entire forests—of avocado trees were grown and carefully maintained over ancestral burial grounds.

2Coffee

The coffee bean is another recently discovered and cultivated plant. It makes this list not because it has been fundamentally changed from its wild form but because there are so many varieties created solely to satisfy our cravings for novel tastes.

First cultivated in India during the 1600s, this African plant now comes in several dozen varieties and cultivars and continues to evolve with humans. Not even looking at varieties within each species, there are about 10 distinct species of coffee plant at present. Need your coffee less bitter? More bitter? Slightly buttery? Caffeine-free? Sourced from frost-resistant, self-fertilizing genetic stock that is purposely grown in civet feces? There’s a variety of bean for that. All modern, genetically modified varieties descend from ancient Arabica beans, which in itself is a hybrid of mysterious origin.

1Wheat

The cultivation of wheat began long before recorded history. In fact, the start of human civilization itself began when primitive people transitioned from the nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle to an agriculturally based one. Wheat was one of the first and most important crops grown during this time, and the first human settlements gathered around areas where this food could be grown.

At first, prehistoric man was content to gather stray seeds of wild grasses. But soon (before people started making pottery, even) they had started to gather plants from areas with more seeds and replant them back home. Eventual changes in seed size and nutritional value were achieved, but the most important trait we managed coax out of their genomes was something called “indehiscence.” Normally, pods containing the edible parts of these plants shattered, so seeds could spread across the wind and ground. Thanks to prehistoric artificial selection, this trait was eliminated and our ancestors could harvest the plant itself, with all its seeds intact.

Unbeknownst to most people the Board Game industry has been thriving and booming for the past twenty plus years. Thousands of new games are released every year from hundreds of companies. Many people only know the mass market staples found at big box stores, and while these still have their place there are countless new options at hobby, book, and online stores.

While most of these are family-friendly and non-controversial, there are exceptions. The following are some of the most bizarre, wild, or plain offensive games to have ever been released. Many of these are still available to purchase today, while some are so rare many collectors have never even seen an actual copy.

10 Ancient Board Games That Inspired Modern Games

10 Los Mampfos

This is perhaps the most well-known game on this list, however that does not make it any less bizarre. In 2006 the French publisher Gigamic released Los Mampfos, designed by the award-winning German game designer Rüdiger Dorn and Maya Dorn. In this game three large wooden donkeys are placed on a circular track, using cards the donkeys move around and are “fed” small wooden disks in 5 colors. When scoring happens players try to guess which colors the donkey ate the most of, the tail is then lifted, and the donkey releases the disks. Players then collect the poo of the color they guessed. This game went on to be nominated for several awards including the coveted Spiel des Jahres Kinderspiel, The German Children’s game of the year.^[1]

9 Snifty Snakes

Back in 1975 the Canadian company Action Games and Toys released this wacky dexterity game. The designer is uncredited, but whoever created this no doubt was a fun individual. When playing this game, you may not use your hands, instead you wear a pair of plastic glasses with a long flexible snake attached at your nose. The board is raised and has several holes in it. Each player has three cones which the must push into the holes. As you can imagine the flexible snake makes this exceptionally difficult. The first person to complete this task is the winner. While this is not intended to be a drinking game it seems that it would fit that criteria perfectly. Do not pass up this crazy game if you happen upon one in second-hand store.^[2]

8 Ugg-Tect

This is another less obscure game, released in 2009 from several different publishers, including Fantasy Flight, one of the largest game companies in the world. Designed by well-known Italian designer Walter Obert. This game features 2 inflatable clubs, which are used to “communicate” with your teammate. In this game you are playing as a caveman, and you may only speak in primitive sounds. One player is the architect they examine a simple structure built with colored blocks of different shapes. The rest of your team attempts to build this with your non-verbal instructions. Raise your hands, stomp your feet and yell at your team in gibberish to instruct them how to build this. Using the inflatable club, whack them on the head, once to indicate they did something correct and twice to tell them they are wrong. A loud and boisterous this one is a lot of fun to play.^[3]

7 Crows Overkill

The most recent game on our list is this title from 2014. A Japanese game from designer Roy Nambu. The original title of this game translates as “I would kill all the crows in the world to sleep with you in the morning”. This refers to a song sang in the red-light district of Japan in the 1800’s. In the game players are happily enjoying the company of geisha’s in the red-light district, and they do not wish to leave. Players are eliminated one at a time and the player who manages to stay the longest is the winner. The crows are how one gets found out. If a crow lands at your window and calls out, you are caught and must leave. By playing cards you must kill the crows arriving at your windowsill or move them for your opponents to deal with. This is a ruthless and mean game, all in the name of staying in your lover’s arms just a bit longer.^[4]

6 Falling

This game first appeared in 1998 where it was well known among hobby gamers. Cheapass games was a staple company in the late 90’s and designer James Earnest has always been a prolific name in the industry. The premise of Falling is simple, everyone is falling to their eventual death, the goal of the game is not to live, but to hit the ground last. One person is the dealer and not playing the game for the current round. The dealer passes cards out in real time to all players, controlling the speed of the game. Just like if you were falling, there are no turns in the game. Cards do a variety of things to speed up and slow down the game. It is a frantic game that can be played in a minute or so. It is not as unusual as many of the games on this list, but it still deserves a place for the morbid theme.^[5]

10 Gigantic Versions Of Childhood Games

5 Kittens in a Blender

The title says it all and puts a disturbing picture in your mind. This twisted game was released in 2011 from a small company know as Closet Nerd games. It was designed and published by the Knudson brothers. The premise of this card game is simple, save your curious kittens from suffering a terrible fate in the randomly churning blender. You score points for saving as many kittens as you can, but also lose points for kitten smoothie you create. Lighthearted artwork saves this game from being too dark, and a portion of the sales were donated to a no-kill shelter. So, play it with your crazy friends, but maybe do not introduce this one to Grandma.^[6]

4 Prison Bitch

Yep, you already know where this one is going. The struggle of existence in a male prison. This is, of course meant to be a humorous, satirical game. This was a self-published effort, back in 2003, not many copies were produced or sold, as the game was banned from the Origins game fair that same year. This is again a card game, where you are fighting for superiority and reputation among the other prisoners. Recruit bitches and hire thugs to attack the others and defeat the other players by discrediting them and reducing their rep to zero. A fun romp through the life of a prisoner, no word if the designers had any real-life experience or technical advisors.^[7]

3 Serial Killer: The Board Game

Banned in Canada, now it is getting serious. This obscure game from 1991, is nearly impossible to find. It is packaged in a body bag and contains a plethora of little body tokens. Simply travel around the map of the US and kill everyone you can. The goal of the game? When you finally get caught, try to make sure it is in a state without the death penalty. Perhaps the age of this one and the fact that is a board game makes this more taboo. Either way it is a grim theme to play a game about, however still tame compared to some video games.^[8]

2 Crack Whore

Ah, a nice relaxing solitaire dice game. For everyone who has dreamed of being a prostitute and trying to escape life on the street, thanks to this entry from 2003 you can simulate this. Unfortunately, to escape the life you need to earn money, so to escape the streets you must first work the streets. Set aside your morals and ethics and start saving up. You will have to deal with Pimps of course, they probably will want a cut. Do not do too many drugs and watch out for the serial killers that like to prey on street workers. Oh yeah, those pesky diseases could also hamper your work, hopefully you can stay clean. Something tells me this would be a successful App game.^[9]

1 Public Assistance

We go back to 1980 for our final entry, this is a game of earning money, though not necessarily working for it. In fact, the tagline is “Why bother working for a living” This is game is very politically incorrect mockery of the welfare system. As you roll dice and move around the track you collect your welfare payments and try to avoid the working mans burden. The burden of course being bills and taxes. This was released more as a pollical statement than a game, so there are no real decisions to be made. This game was banned in some places as well, but you should be able to seek out a copy if you want to experience it for yourself, I hear it is quite entertaining at a party.^[10]

Top 10 Best Board Games Of All Time