Articles by Chris Wheatley's Profile | Iconic Media Journalist

Why Do We Say "Put a Sock in It"?

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

This splendid term, meaning "quiet down," is both colorful and fun, but where does it come from? Sources agree that the phrase first appeared in early 20th-century Britain.

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Why do we say "put a sock in it"?

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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6 real succession crises more chaotic than 'House of the Dragon'

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Why Do We Say "Put a Sock in It"?

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

This splendid term, meaning "quiet down," is both colorful and fun, but where does it come from? Sources agree that the phrase first appeared in early 20th-century Britain.

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Why Do We Say "Put a Sock in It"?

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Flipboard

Opera 8 hours ago What does Nessun Dorma mean? Song performance before Trump speech on Americas 250 anniversary sparks confusion online Soapcentral - Zachary D.

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6 Real Succession Crises More Chaotic Than ‘House of the Dragon’

Jul 05, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Step aside, Rhaenyra and Daemon. These historical succession conflicts take the cake. Portrait of Louis XIV of France | DEA / A. DAGLI ORTI/GettyImages Real-life royal successions have a long history of becoming as bloody, brutal, and convoluted as anything found in HBO’s epic fantasy series House of the Dragon. Religion, politics, disputed claims, and a lust for power have all played a part in many handovers of power—and sometimes, matters could only be settled by the sword.

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The Guns N’ Roses Hit That Was Written in Just 5 Minutes

Jul 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

When it comes to great songwriting, it seems there is no hard and fast formula for success. Queen's “Bohemian Rhapsody” took a little over six years to come to fruition from the moment when Freddie Mercury first began tinkering with the idea. Bob Dylan's “Tangled Up in Blue” took two years of gestation.

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Humphrey Bogart's emotional last words to Lauren Bacall

Jul 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Humphrey Bogart’s Emotional Last Words to Lauren Bacall

Jul 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” It’s not hard to imagine that those words, spoken by Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart) in the 1942 cinematic masterpiece Casablanca, might have reverberated through Bogart's heart and soul when he first met his wife-to-be, Lauren Bacall, two years later whilst the pair were filming To Have and Have Not. Friendship swiftly turned into love between the two actors.

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7 Famous People You Didn’t Know Princess Diana Was Related To

Jul 01, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

It’s nearly 30 years since the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, yet she is still fondly remembered by millions of people the world over. Diana became famous as much for her humanitarian work as for her fashion and the sad and very public failure of her marriage to Prince Charles (now King Charles). The dramatic circumstances of her death lent a striking full stop to a singular and troubled life. Diana came from a historic family.

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What Does “86” Mean? The Common Restaurant Term Explained

Jun 30, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Police forces, armies, and, of course, spies, all use secret codes for the sake of clarity and concealment, so at first it may seem odd that the code, or term, “86,” is widely used in quite a different realm—the restaurant and hospitality industry. With a little thought, however, you can see that such places are often fast-moving, and always customer-centered environments—establishments in which any little hack that can make a day run faster and smoother will come in handy.

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What Does "86" Mean? The Common Restaurant Term Explained

Jun 30, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

Police forces, armies, and, of course, spies, all use secret codes for the sake of clarity and concealment, so at first it may seem odd that the code, or term, "86," is widely used in quite a different realm-the restaurant and hospitality industry. With a little thought, however, you can see that such places are often fast-moving, and always customer-centered environments-establishments in which any little hack that can make a day run faster and smoother will come in handy.

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Why Do Pizza Boxes Have Those Tiny Plastic Tables?

Jun 28, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

There are many unsung heroes in history: the DNA scientist Rosalind Franklin, hygiene pioneer Dr.Ignaz Semmelweis, 16th-century female ninja Mochizuki Chiyome, but perhaps we should add to that list one Carmela Vitale. Okay, we're being a little humorous here because Carmela didn't fight any battles or help revolutionize science, but she is the person responsible for your takeaway pizza being a substantially better feast than it otherwise might have been.

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Why do pizza boxes have those tiny plastic tables?

Jun 28, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Why Do Pizza Boxes Have Those Tiny Plastic Tables?

Jun 28, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

There are many unsung heroes in history: the DNA scientist Rosalind Franklin, hygiene pioneer Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, 16th-century female ninja Mochizuki Chiyome, but perhaps we should add to that list one Carmela Vitale. Okay, we're being a little humorous here because Carmela didn't fight any battles or help revolutionize science, but she is the person responsible for your takeaway pizza being a substantially better feast than it otherwise might have been.

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Why Do Heinz Ketchup Bottles Have the Number 57 on Them?

Jun 27, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

To unpack this one, let's start with another number – 1844. That's the year Henry John Heinz was born in Birmingham, Pennsylvania. Henry's interest in selling food peaked early in his life, and by the age of 16, he engaged several employees to deliver produce to grocers across Pittsburgh.

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The tragic backstory of why we say "mad as a hatter"

Jun 25, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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The Tragic Backstory of Why We Say "Mad as a Hatter"

Jun 25, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

It’s largely assumed that the phrase “mad as a hatter” is derived from one of literature's most beloved tales in which the character with a top hat is, well, mad. He’s abnormal, certainly, but his story is not where this phrase originates. Its beginnings are much more disturbing and tragically realistic than the plot Lewis Carroll painted. So, why exactly do we say “mad as a hatter”?

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The Tragic Backstory of Why We Say "Mad as a Hatter"

Jun 25, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

It's largely assumed that the phrase "mad as a hatter" is derived from one of literature's most beloved tales in which the character with a top hat is, well, mad. He's abnormal, certainly, but his story is not where this phrase originates. Its beginnings are much more disturbing and tragically realistic than the plot Lewis Carroll painted. So, why exactly do we say "mad as a hatter"?

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The seriously dark origins behind matching bridesmaid dresses

Jun 24, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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The Seriously Dark Origins Behind Matching Bridesmaid Dresses

Jun 24, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

A wedding is an occasion for joy, when two people openly declare their love for each other in front of a select group of family and friends. It's the start of a journey of a lifetime and an ancient tradition spanning cultures around the world. The first recorded marriage ceremony dates back to 2350 BC in Ancient Mesopotamia. Ancient Rome is responsible for the framework of modern Christian weddings in the West.

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The Seriously Dark Origins Behind Matching Bridesmaid Dresses

Jun 24, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

A wedding is an occasion for joy, when two people openly declare their love for each other in front of a select group of family and friends. It's the start of a journey of a lifetime and an ancient tradition spanning cultures around the world. The first recorded marriage ceremony dates back to 2350 BC in Ancient Mesopotamia. Ancient Rome is responsible for the framework of modern Christian weddings in the West.

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Arsenal preparing to test Aston Villa with Morgan Rogers bid Original

Jun 22, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Sporting News

Morgan Rogers has emerged as Arsenal's main attacking target this summer, with the Gunners preparing to test Aston Villa's resolve over the England international. The 23-year-old has seen his reputation grow significantly over the past 18 months following an excellent season under Unai Emery. Villa value Rogers, who is keen on a move to Emirates Stadium, at no less than £80million and are braced for rival interest to push any potential deal closer to the £100m mark.

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7 Historical Battles That Feel Straight Out of Westeros

Jun 21, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

While you wait for the Battle of the Gullet to play out in ‘House of the Dragon,’ check out these seven real-life battles. Joan of Arc leading the French in battle at the Siege of Orleans | GraphicaArtis/Getty Images Across its eight-season run, Game of Thrones became part of modern culture, a must-see show that blends striking characters and twisting plots with big-money special effects and spectacular scenes.

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7 Historical Battles That Feel Straight Out of Westeros

Jun 21, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Flipboard

Mehdi Hasan 15 hours ago Core Trump claim 'completely undermined' by own DHS with 'racist' online post: analysis Raw Story - Alexander Willis • 15h In an apparent attempt to “jump on the World Cup bandwagon,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published what Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan described … China 2 hours ago Ranked: The Countries That Brew the Most Beer Visual Capitalist - Niccolo Conte • 2h Beer is consumed almost everywhere, but brewing at scale is a different story.

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The story behind Juneteenth's famous red drinks and food

Jun 19, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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The Story Behind Juneteenth’s Famous Red Drinks and Food

Jun 19, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Each June 19, Americans across the country gather together and feast on red foods and red drinks in public parks and private houses, in celebration of the ending of slavery. By why red? On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger issued the famous General Order No. 3, which proclaimed: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

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The Story Behind Juneteenth's Famous Red Drinks and Food

Jun 19, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

Each June 19, Americans across the country gather together and feast on red foods and red drinks in public parks and private houses, in celebration of the ending of slavery. By why red? On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger issued the famous General Order No. 3, which proclaimed: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

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8 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By Willie Nelson

Jun 18, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

The country legend penned hits for everyone from Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin. Willie Nelson Performing Onstage in the 1970s | Paul Natkin/GettyImages An American icon and legendary figure in country music, Willie Nelson's career stretches over an astonishing seven decades. During this time, he recorded countless acclaimed records. Not everyone, however, will be aware that Nelson began his professional life as a songwriter for other artists.

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Did astronaut Jim Lovell really say "Houston, we have a problem?" Decoding the real history

Jun 12, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Did Astronaut Jim Lovell Really Say "Houston, We Have a Problem?" Decoding the Real History

Jun 12, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

This is a piece of history that’s so ingrained in modern culture that it's rarely, if ever, questioned. Those who have enjoyed Ron Howard's excellent 1995 movie, Apollo 13, will have heard the recreation of these words uttered during the fateful NASA space mission that occurred in April 1970. In that movie, they were spoken by astronaut Jim Lovell, who had been commanding that flight. But is that how history really played out? The Race to the Moon President John F.

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How the Beatles' iconic mop top hairstyle was formed

Jun 11, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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How The Beatles’ Iconic Mop Top Hairstyle Was Formed

Jun 11, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

The Fab Four's individual looks changed dramatically over the years, with each laying down their own unique fashion styles, from John Lennon's velvet ensemble and Paul McCartney's Fair Isle vest to Ringo Starr's white denim jacket and George Harrison's purple striped suit. Arguably the band's most instantly recognizable style of all, however, must surely be their collective “mop top” hairstyles.

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Bob Dylan's favorite song written about him was a 1970s hit

Jun 10, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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The World Cup Match So Violent It Changed the Rules Forever

Jun 10, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

As the phrase coined by former player-turned TV pundit Jimmy Greaves goes: “football—it's a funny old game.” These days, it's certainly a hotly contested one too. Over the last few decades, soccer (or football) has become big business, with players earning millions, billionaire club ownership , and more matches played than ever before. This year's World Cup, which sees national teams from all over the globe compete to be the best of the best, will be the largest ever organized.

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Bob Dylan's Favorite Song Written About Him Was a 1970s Hit

Jun 10, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Bob Dylan is routinely hailed as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. This is a man, after all, who in 2016 was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in recognition of his achievements for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.” An astonishing several hundred artists have covered Dylan's songs, including Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, The Beach Boys, Michael Bolton, and even English clarinetist Acker Bilk.

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6 Theories About the Meaning of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Jun 07, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Years since his sad passing, Queen's flamboyant and outrageously talented frontman Freddie Mercury remains greatly missed. During their time, the band was phenomenally successful and produced numerous beloved hits that delighted fans the world over—perhaps none more so than their groundbreaking epic, "Bohemian Rhapsody." Everyone knows the tune of the song, and many can recite the lyrics, but few, it seems, can actually explain what they mean.

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Why Do We Use the Phrase "Pulling Your Leg"?

Jun 06, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

This interesting and somewhat odd saying feels like it's been around forever and has never really fallen out of use. If someone is said to be "pulling your leg," then they're teasing you-likely making up a wild story for humorous purposes. The history of this phrase itself contains something of a mischievous tale. It was first documented in print in 1821 in the diary of a man named James Gallatin.

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Why do we use the phrase "pulling your leg"?

Jun 06, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Why Do We Use the Phrase "Pulling Your Leg"?

Jun 06, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

This interesting and somewhat odd saying feels like it's been around forever and has never really fallen out of use. If someone is said to be “pulling your leg,” then they’re teasing you—likely making up a wild story for humorous purposes. The history of this phrase itself contains something of a mischievous tale. It was first documented in print in 1821 in the diary of a man named James Gallatin.

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8 weirdly specific smells that defined the 1990s

Jun 04, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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8 Weirdly Specific Smells That Defined the 1990s

Jun 04, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Prepare to feel serious nostalgia. Pink jelly sandals | Liudmyla Liudmyla/GettyImages It's long been recognized that smell is one of our strongest senses, and recent research suggests our noses might be far more powerful than previously thought, capable of detecting up to a staggering one trillion different aromas. Smell has also been strongly linked to memory, with fragrances capable of triggering visceral mental throwbacks to distant times, places, and events.

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8 Weirdly Specific Smells That Defined the 1990s

Jun 04, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Yahoo Life

It's long been recognized that smell is one of our strongest senses, and recent research suggests our noses might be far more powerful than previously thought, capable of detecting up to a staggering one trillion different aromas. Smell has also been strongly linked to memory, with fragrances capable of triggering visceral mental throwbacks to distant times, places, and events.

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'Cape Fear' and 6 Other Book Adaptations to Watch in June 2026

Jun 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Producers have looked to books to provide source material for fantastic television for decades, and, while not every great novel translates into equally enjoyable TV fare, at the very least, they can provide a tantalizing starting point and a solid bedrock from which to launch. This June, viewers will be spoiled for choice when it comes to small-screen adaptations, so here is our handy guide to some of the big names to look out for.

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Why did the Beatles break up?

Jun 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Why Did the Beatles Break Up?

Jun 03, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

Have you heard the Beatles have split up? This distraught cry could be heard echoed by countless voices around the world following Paul McCartney's shocking disclosure via press release on April 10, 1970, that he would no longer be working with the group. In fact, although not known publicly, John Lennon had already informed his bandmates (McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison) back in September 1969 of his own decision to leave the band.

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Johnny Cash's emotional final performance still haunts country fans

Jun 02, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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Johnny Cash’s Emotional Final Performance Still Haunts Country Fans

Jun 02, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

More than a country music icon, Johnny Cash has become a lasting emblem of American identity. A champion for the disenfranchised, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist known as the “Man in Black,” left an indelible mark over an incredible six-decade-long career. Before we revisit the legend’s final performance, let’s take a musical journey through the highlights of his career.

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This is the worst horror movie, at least according to Stephen King

May 31, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| MSN

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This Is the Worst Horror Movie, at Least According to Stephen King Original

May 31, 2026 |

By Chris Wheatley

| Mental Floss

When it comes to the horror genre, there can't be too many authors more celebrated or successful than Stephen King. The master of the macabre also knows a thing or two about horror movies. More than forty of the writer's short stories and novels have been adapted for film or television, with King himself providing the screenplay for many. Carrie, Misery, and The Mist are just three fantastic, fear-inducing films based on King's work.

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Articles by Chris Wheatley

Arsenal preparing to test Aston Villa with Morgan Rogers bid Original

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