Did a mistranslation lead to theories of life on Mars? What exactly was Khrsuschev trying to say at that big U.N. meeting? Language is amazing -- and it's also pretty complicated. As a result, translation is often more an art than an exact science, and over the course of human history mistranslations have led to some astonishing, at-times dangerous, and often ridiculous results. In the second episode of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into more bizarre historical mistranslations, from unfortunate car names to that time IKEA accused children of constantly farting, and so much more.

Did a mistranslation lead to theories of life on Mars? What exactly was Khrsuschev trying to say at that big U.N. meeting? Language is amazing -- and it's also pretty complicated. As a result, translation is often more an art than an exact science, and over the course of human history mistranslations have led to some astonishing, at-times dangerous, and often ridiculous results. In the second episode of this continuing series, Ben, Noel and Max dive into more bizarre historical mistranslations, from unfortunate car names to that time IKEA accused children of constantly farting, and so much more.

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous History

History's Famous Mistranslations, Part Two: Life on Mars, the Cold War, and FARTFULL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/457d21ed-f3e6-4f50-970a-b23c011ebe63/transcript

Let's be honest: the concept of writing stuff down is both brilliant and insane. Right now, all around the world, countless people are scrawling or typing messages that may last long after the writer has passed from this mortal plane - in a way, reading your favorite dead authors can be like communication from beyond the grave! Add to this, language itself is pretty ridiculous. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max crack each other up with an exploration of how writing became a thing, tracing its prehistoric origins through the rise of English, all the way up to what we call "modern English" today.

Let's be honest: the concept of writing stuff down is both brilliant and insane. Right now, all around the world, countless people are scrawling or typing messages that may last long after the writer has passed from this mortal plane - in a way, reading your favorite dead authors can be like communication from beyond the grave! Add to this, language itself is pretty ridiculous. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max crack each other up with an exploration of how writing became a thing, tracing its prehistoric origins through the rise of English, all the way up to what we call "modern English" today.

How The (English) Alphabet Became A Thing, Part One: Writing Stuff Down Is A Bonkers Idea

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8c6ac08c-9ef1-401a-830a-b2420104f1aa/transcript

When confronted with a home invasion, Max the gorilla brought international fame to the Johannesburg Zoo and briefly became the city's most famous crime fighter. He received numerous endorsements, and a statue was erected in his honor. But what brought Max to this level of celebrity? In this week's Classic episode, Ben and Super Producer Max -- not the ape -- explore the story of a crime-fighting gorilla that became a symbol of justice in an intensely troubled South Africa.

When confronted with a home invasion, Max the gorilla brought international fame to the Johannesburg Zoo and briefly became the city's most famous crime fighter. He received numerous endorsements, and a statue was erected in his honor. But what brought Max to this level of celebrity? In this week's Classic episode, Ben and Super Producer Max -- not the ape -- explore the story of a crime-fighting gorilla that became a symbol of justice in an intensely troubled South Africa.

CLASSIC: The Story of Max, South Africa's Famous, Crime-fighting Gorilla

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aea16dbc-8623-4603-863c-b23d014b1333/transcript

It's easy to look at history and think one idea or another is ridiculous -- but we also have to remember modern civilization has its own vast collection of cartoonish concepts. You know, the sort of stuff we all agreed was "normal" until we really started to think about it. In today's episode, the guys explore a fashion staple that's baffled Ben for more than a decade: Why on Earth do we have neckties? Where did they come from, and why are they considered a stamp of professionalism in the modern day? Tune in to learn more.

It's easy to look at history and think one idea or another is ridiculous -- but we also have to remember modern civilization has its own vast collection of cartoonish concepts. You know, the sort of stuff we all agreed was "normal" until we really started to think about it. In today's episode, the guys explore a fashion staple that's baffled Ben for more than a decade: Why on Earth do we have neckties? Where did they come from, and why are they considered a stamp of professionalism in the modern day? Tune in to learn more.

Neckties are Utterly Ridiculous

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/40ed3327-fba7-4b4e-adb2-b23b00f6a77d/transcript

History's Famous Mistranslations, Part Two: Life on Mars, the Cold War, and FARTFULL

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