Many countries have their own, distinct Christmas traditions, but Iceland's Yule Lads are especially disturbing. Born of a monsterous giantess, these thirteen creatures each specialize in certain types of harassment or theft, leaving gifts for good children, and rotten potatoes for the rest. In today's episode, the guys explore the origin of this strange story -- and how, once upon a time, it was actually outlawed.

Many countries have their own, distinct Christmas traditions, but Iceland's Yule Lads are especially disturbing. Born of a monsterous giantess, these thirteen creatures each specialize in certain types of harassment or theft, leaving gifts for good children, and rotten potatoes for the rest. In today's episode, the guys explore the origin of this strange story -- and how, once upon a time, it was actually outlawed.

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

The Yule Lads Terrified Children Across Iceland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5efc2dfd-096f-4578-95b7-ae700164a0c0/transcript

What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? If it was in the United States, odds are you paid your tab -- and then added an extra fee on top of that. While tipping didn't originate in the USA, the States have the world's most prevalent (and infamous) tipping culture. And ever since the Civil War, it's been a hot-button issue: Should you tip? If so, whom, and how much? In the first part of this severely biased two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max dive into the debate... and learn the disturbing origin of American tipping along the way.

What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? If it was in the United States, odds are you paid your tab -- and then added an extra fee on top of that. While tipping didn't originate in the USA, the States have the world's most prevalent (and infamous) tipping culture. And ever since the Civil War, it's been a hot-button issue: Should you tip? If so, whom, and how much? In the first part of this severely biased two-part series, Ben, Noel, and Max dive into the debate... and learn the disturbing origin of American tipping along the way.

The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part One: A Gratuitous History of Gratuity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2b861b39-678c-4eaf-96dc-b4b7013c1d08/transcript

Nowadays it's no secret that some Papal administrations from centuries past were a bit more scandalous than others, but when master engraver Marcantonio Raimondi created prints of explicit art located within the papal palace, the church was scandalized. Learn more about the bizarre tale of "The Sixteen Pleasures".

Nowadays it's no secret that some Papal administrations from centuries past were a bit more scandalous than others, but when master engraver Marcantonio Raimondi created prints of explicit art located within the papal palace, the church was scandalized. Learn more about the bizarre tale of "The Sixteen Pleasures".

CLASSIC: I Modi: The Scandalous Erotic Blockbuster Banned By The Vatican

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b8b47a47-9b4a-4b91-955c-b4b3010674f1/transcript

Even if you're not an architecture enthusiast, odds are you've heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. This massively famous architect fundamentally changed the discipline of architecture as we know it. Yet as Ben, Noel and Max learn in the second part of this special two-part series, Frank made a lot of enemies on his way to success. Tune in to learn how one of his employees committed mass murder -- and why J. Edgar Hoover's FBI spent years trying to prove he was a spy or a cult leader.

Even if you're not an architecture enthusiast, odds are you've heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. This massively famous architect fundamentally changed the discipline of architecture as we know it. Yet as Ben, Noel and Max learn in the second part of this special two-part series, Frank made a lot of enemies on his way to success. Tune in to learn how one of his employees committed mass murder -- and why J. Edgar Hoover's FBI spent years trying to prove he was a spy or a cult leader.

The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part Two: Mass Murder, Cults, and the FBI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aa75791d-f27f-43f3-8207-b4b300d86b5a/transcript

The Yule Lads Terrified Children Across Iceland

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