askhistorians

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Where does the simple, pop-culture cartoon representation of a ghost come from? (Half oval with a jaggedy bottom.) Does this originate with Pac-Man or was it around earlier than that?	1553
Was the trident ever actually used as a weapon of war? I’ve only ever seen the trident depicted as being used by mythological figures like Poseidon or Lady Britannia.	198
The trope of nuclear waste being a green ooze goes back until at least the 80s (Saturday morning cartoons and such.) Where did this iconic (and incorrect) image come from?	154
Was the legend of King Arthur actually told as a popular story in medieval Europe? Or did it become a popular story looking back on the age from a romantic perspective? What were popular tales like in medieval Europe? Are there many we would recognize today?	96
In the United States, what as the function of the Supreme Court prior to Marbury v. Madison (1803)?	87
The cartoon gag of someone’s pants dropping to reveal white boxers with a red heart pattern goes at least back to the 40s and 50s. Was this type of underwear commonly available back then?	87
Why was it so hard for so many actors to make the transition from silent films to “the talkies?” Was it just a matter of voiced acting being more difficult or were there other factors at play?	74
If European Medieval cities were such disgusting places (lack of sanitation) why did anybody choose to live there? Were there advantages that made it worth it?	51
Why did cartoons from the 1930’s (Betty Boop, Tom and Jerry, etc.) so often feature hell and imps and the devil? Is this particular storyline reflected in movies and plays of the time too, or just in entertainment meant for children?	43
Was it very difficult to wear a bustle? Could they be put on and taken off without assistance? Could you sit on a chair or ride in a carriage while wearing one? Did they complicate using a bathroom? Did you have to be extra aware of your surroundings, so as to not knock stuff over all the time?	37

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