Ridiculous History

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1. The Sound of Silence: What's Up With Silent Lettters?

   3 november 2026 · 36 min

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   While English may not be the world's most difficult language, it's certainly a weird one. Modern English is riddled with contradictory rules, bizarre exceptions and, of course, a odd little phenomenon known as silent letters. But where did they come from? Why do we spell "enough" that way? Why did we stick a silent "b" in "doubt"? In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max discover how the ridiculous evolution of English led us to the strange rise of 'silent letters'. Lees meer

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2. CLASSIC: Castle Itter: When Germans and Americans Joined Forces in World War II

   31 oktober 2026 · 25 min

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   With one notable exception, American and German forces were bitterly opposed to one another during World War II -- that exception? The Battle of Castle Itter. Tune in to learn more about the strange sequence of events that led both the US and the Germany army to team up for a rescue mission. Lees meer

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3. The Rasputin Episode, Part Two: A Death and Mysterious Rumors

   29 oktober 2026 · 53 min

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   As Grigori Rasputin manipulated his way into the upper reaches of the aristocracy, he gained great influence over the Emperor's family, who were convinced that only Rasputin could save their hemophiliac son. Yet even Rasputin's powerful patrons could not shield him from a growing conspiracy of enemies in Saint Petersburg. In the second part of this special two-part anniversary episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore the many rumors surrounding Rasputin's death -- the fact, the fiction, and, most importantly, the mysteries that remain. Lees meer

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4. The Rasputin Episode, Part One: A Young Mystic On The Rise

   27 oktober 2026 · 44 min

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   While Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin would later become one of the most infamous figures in modern Russian history, he came from incredibly humble origins -- which he would later embellish in his quest for more prominence and power. In the first part of this special two-part anniversay episode, Ben, Noel, and Max celebrate nine years of Ridiculous History by finally exploring the story of the utter villain on their show's logo. Lees meer

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5. CLASSIC: A Grave Mistake: The Story of Patton's "Abandoned Rear"

   24 oktober 2026 · 26 min

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   In this week's Classic episode: When George S. Patton decided to found a tank training school in the tiny French village of Bourg, the mayor approached him in tears. "An American soldier has died here," said the mayor, "and I would like to lead you to his grave." Patton followed the lachrymose politician to the grave site... but he wasn't prepared for what he would find. Lees meer

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6. The Unsung Bravery of Martha Gellhorn

   22 oktober 2026 · 28 min

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   While history often relegates Martha Gellhorn to a single role -- one of Ernest Hemingway's four wives -- this lauded journalist, fiction writer, and war correspondent was an absolute badass. She was on the ground during D-Day, reported during the Vietnam War, and traveled to Panama after the U.S. invasion. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore the oft-ignored bravery of Marth Gellhorn... and the ridiculous ways in which Hemingway tried to sabotage her career. Which, for the record, is only one of the reasons Ben finds ol' Ernest overrated. Lees meer

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7. The Millionaires and Wild Horses of Cumberland Island

   20 oktober 2026 · 37 min

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   Located in the southeastern US just off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland Island is a hidden treasure with deep -- and, at times, disturbing -- lore. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore some of the more ridiculous stories from the island's past, from Thomas Carnegie's plans to take over the whole joint to the strange reason that wild non-native horses still roam there in the modern day. Lees meer

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8. CLASSIC: Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?

   17 oktober 2026 · 28 min

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   When we think of the mob today, most Americans think of New York City -- and why not? After all, films, books and TV shows often depict New York as the heart of mob country. Yet, as the guys discover in today's episode, the story of the Italian-American mafia has a surprisingly different (and often forgotten) origin point. Lees meer

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9. The Weird Afterlife of The Zombies

   15 oktober 2026 · 42 min

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   In 1969, the Zombies had a song hit No. 3 on the Billboard charts. There was just one problem: the band had broken up two years earlier, and most people in the US had no idea. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max explore how a deeply sketchy promo company created multiple fake versions of the Zombies... and sent them across the country. Lees meer

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10. The Fascinating History of Fountain Pens

    13 oktober 2026 · 37 min

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    Nowadays, most people take pens for granted. They're always around if a business needs you to sign something, and people accidentally steal or lose them constantly. Yet the humble pen has a backstory thousands of years in the making. In today's episode, Ben, Noel, and Max trace explore the rise of the fountain pen, from the old school quill to the modern day. Lees meer

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