Hundreds of incredible origin stories, ranging from everyday items to social customs to history-altering inventions. Uncle John’s Where’d That Come From? delivers the true stories behind all sorts of things, even things you never thought of as having origins. Covering a wide range of topics--pop culture, science, sports, politics, customs, superstitions, language, and more--you’ll discover the most engrossing origin stories from the BRI’s deep archives, as well as some all-new “origin”al material! Find out about… - Why the number seven is considered lucky - An airplane in ancient Egypt, and other “OOPAs” (Out Of Place Artifacts) - Who put the hole in a doughnut, the K in K-mart, and the e in e-book - Automotive firsts--including the gas pump, the solar-powered car, and the drag race - The ancient games that led to golf, and the story of the boomerang - Louis Perrier, Earl Grey, Mrs. Paul, and other tasty namesakes - The origins of toothpaste, the color purple, the Ming Dynasty, Valentine’s Day, the recycle symbol, Captain Kirk, “gobbledygook,” and much, much more!

Kick a home run through the goal posts of life in this jock-ular collection of old stories and new from the Bathroom Reader sports pages! Uncle John’s Sports Shorts lets you relive the sporting world’s most incredible moments! From ancient stick-and-ball games to modern-day sports deals and the physics of football, it’s all in here: great finishes, embarrassing losses, inside secrets, bizarre pastimes, and disastrous “Dumb Jocks” quotes—including this bewildering gem from the NFL’s Erik Ainge about Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez: “He’s stupid while being stupid. You have to be smart while being stupid, and he’s dumb while being dumb.” Don’t even try to comprehend that, just read about what else you’ll find in Sports Shorts: • Bowling for humans • Reasons you should never mix hipsters, kickball, and alcohol • The hidden power of Olympic swimming champion Mark Spitz’s mustache • The origins of surfing, instant replay, ESPN, March Madness, cricket, stock car racing, and more • How the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders changed the way America watches sports • The biggest conspiracy theories in pro sports, the most shocking uses and abuses of the Stanley Cup, and the most hellish holes in golf • Baseball records that will never be broken • When soccer moms go ballistic And much, much more!

Uncle John takes a loving look at life on the small screen. From the Honeymooners to Honey Boo Boo, this entertaining expose of all things television is full of behind-the-scenes secrets, amazing origins, quotes, quizzes, goofs, and fun facts. Culled from Uncle John’s 25-year archive--along with a few all-new “very special episodes”--UJTV is sure to please boob-tube fans of all ages! Some sneak peeks: - Former TV child stars who shocked everyone by turning out okay - The surprising stories behind Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones - How Monday Night Football changed the face of television - TV’s all-time most embarrassing news bloopers - The birth of Saturday Night Live - How angry TV writers get revenge - The history of the remote control - Bob’s punniest burgers And much, much more!

A loving look at toys and games—and the people who make and play them—from the past and present. Albert Einstein once said, “Play is the highest form of research.” Uncle John adds: “And it’s really fun!” And so is this e-book, which includes several classic articles from the Bathroom Reader archives along with a few all-new entries (including an inside look at the Angry Birds phenomenon). So whether you prefer a pair of dice, a deck of cards, a yo-yo, a game controller, or a doll (er…action figure), you’ll find lots to keep you happily occupied in Playtime! Read about… • Classic kids’ games from yesteryear • The cops who went Wii on the local news • People who get to play with Legos for a living • Boong-ga Boong-ga, and other odd Japanese video games • The little-known (and ironic) story of Monopoly • The origins of dice, Uno, bobbleheads, and Scrabble • The dark secret behind Amazing Sea-Monkeys • The fall of Atari and the rise of Nintendo • How to talk like a poker player And much, much more!

Uncle John takes readers on a journey through the ages, shedding new light onto some of the past’s most famous (and infamous) figures, and digging up obscure history you’d never learn in school. Featuring classic BRI articles along with some great all-new material, History Makers travels from the Far East to the Old West, from ancient times to the recent past, debunking myths and exposing the truth along the way. So wind up your wayback machine and read all about...- The lost “Cloud People” of Peru - Twelve countries that no longer exist- Looney English Lords- The mystery of Great Zimbabwe’s ruins- What happens when a U.S. president goes bonkers- The strange fate of some famous body parts- History’s most hilarious blunders- Building the Great Wall(s) of China- Some startling predictions that didn’t pan out...and some that didAnd much, much more!

Restore your faith in humanity in just 50 pages. This very special e-book will lift your spirits with inspiring stories of heroism, overcoming adversity, random acts of kindness, wise thoughts, and some really weird tales of people who benefitted from amazing luck. So put on your rose-colored glasses and curl up with these Uncle John’s gems—both old and new—that prove once and for all, the glass really is half full! Some heartwarming examples: • The origin of Mother’s Day • Strangers who saved the lives of strangers • The anonymous good deed that led to the “Pay it Forward” movement • How Rodney Dangerfield finally got some respect • The biologist who wrote a book and gave birth to the modern environmental movement • The bus driver who gave a man his shoes • The heroes of September 11th • Crime-stopping kids And much, much more!

Myth meets reality in this one-of-a-kind book that could only come from everyone’s favorite folk hero—Uncle John! The ancient Greeks had Zeus; today we have the Burger King…king. In Modern Mythology, you’ll meet the world’s most fascinating heroes, villains, and corporate spokesthingies. Featuring Bathroom Reader classics plus a few new treasures, you’ll discover truths and untruths, and learn the real stories behind some of today’s tallest tales. So sit back and let Uncle John take you on an epic journey of modern make-believe! Immerse yourself in… • Gnomes in the gnews • The Whopperknocker, Whirling Whumpus, and other cousins of Sasquatch • Ronald McDonald’s relentless rise to the top • On tour with Paul Bunyan • 5 Movies that mythed the point • Who was Kilroy, and why was he here? • Common misconceptions that refuse to go away • Urban Legends that turned out to be true • The secret of the Loch Ness Monster finally explained …and much, much more!