Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 4
October 9, 2023
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October 6, 2023
‘HUGE’ 400-Pound Stingray Found in Long Island Sound
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The Long Island Sound Trawl Survey crew in Connecticut recently trawled up an unexpected catch — a 400-pound Bathytoshia centroura, also known as a roughtail stingray! This huge ocean creature measured a whopping 6 feet long and 5 feet wide!
A Surprising CatchWhile not uncommon in the Atlantic Coast from New England to Florida, it is “relatively rare” to encounter this type of stingray in the Long Island Sound, which lies between Connecticut to the north and Long Island in New York to the south. The sound is an estuary in which ocean saltwater mixes with fresh water from rivers.
Roughtail stingrays have tails with venomous spines; however, they are not aggressive animals and tend to avoid shallow waters where people typically swim.
Connecticut Fish and Wildlife posted a photograph of the stingray on Facebook. The ray was lying on its back with its belly exposed. The crew members took some measurements but chose not to roll it over before releasing it into the water where it swam away “alive and well.”
More Ocean DiscoveriesThe roughtail stingray was not the only unusual catch for the trawling crew. They also pulled in a cobia fish. These fish are often mistaken for sharks or remoras.
In September, Connecticut residents also observed dolphins in the Long Island Sound, a sighting that is becoming more common.
In regards to the phenomenon, dolphin expert Sarah Callan stated, “With the warming waters, there is various species of fish that may be up in this area earlier in the year than they have in the past that dolphins might eat.” She noted, “They’re going to go where the food is so sometimes that’s closer to shore so some lucky people who might be out recreationally get to see those animals first-hand.”
Come Sea Our RaysInterested in learning more about stingrays and other sea creatures? Swim over to one of our three amazing Ripley’s Aquarium locations to get up close and personal with incredible creatures of the deep!
By Noelle Talmon, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: ‘HUGE’ 400-Pound Stingray Found in Long Island Sound
October 5, 2023
October 4, 2023
The Muffin Man: Is The Beloved Nursery Rhyme Based On A Serial Killer?
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ah, the sweet melody of our childhood! But ever wondered if there’s a darker filling to this seemingly innocent pastry ditty? Let’s knead through the layers of this tasty tune and see what crumbs of truth we can find.
From oven to legend: The muffin’s true taleBefore we jump into grim tales, let’s establish who these muffin men were.
We do have records of the existence of muffin men during the Victorin period. The book “The Cambridge World History of Food” confirms that muffin men would deliver fresh food – and this included fresh English muffins (the bread-y kind, not their sugary American cousins) – straight to your door.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
This is because most homes lacked proper ovens during the 1800s, creating a prime market for these baked-good peddlers to walk around London with their melodic bell chimes. And Drury Lane, known for its theaters, may have had its own real-life muffin man, offering a warm bite to chilly Londoners.
From cobblestone streets to sing-along beatsOur beloved muffin rhyme didn’t just pop out of the oven. In fact, while you might think of the muffin song as a catchy childhood tune, the song had a more mature debut. Its roots trace back to the early 19th century, when a spicy tune about a certain “Dandy Muffin-Man of Drury Lane” was popular in some of London’s more, well, colorful and seedy venues.
Even royals weren’t immune to muffin melodies. In fact, a comic muffin song graced even royal ears in 1802, when a distinct, comedic muffin-centric song serenaded King George III right in court. While different in lyrics, it possibly sprinkled some inspiration over our now-known nursery rhyme. As the years (and centuries) went by, the song became part of party games and children’s games, eventually evolving into the rhyme we know today.
From its saucy stage origins, “The Muffin Man” would become a children’s favorite, living on through countless giggles and claps.
The Muffin Man’s Twisty Tale UnbakedNow, here’s where our fluffy muffin tale gets a pinch of salt. Internet chatter suggests there’s a more sinister side to the muffin man. Was this cheerful song actually a grim warning? If stories are to be believed, the song is truly about Frederick Thomas Lynwood, aka the “Drury Lane Dicer,” a 16th-century baker turned serial killer. Legend has it that Lynwood used muffins tied at the end of a string to lure innocent children to their doom.
Another spicy version of the story pegs Lynwood not just as a serial killer, but also as a fierce competitor, kneading out rival bakers—literally.
If undocumented online sources are to be believed, the muffin man was never caught and died of old age while choking on a dumpling.
Sifting through the muffin crumbsSo, is there any truth to the story? According to Snopes, there’s no proof that a man named Frederick Thomas Lynwood ever existed, and there are no 19th-century records of child-related mass killings that fit the story or the time frame.
It’s much more likely that the Muffin Man’s origins are a blend of fact, fiction, and a sprinkle of urban legend. But isn’t that the true beauty of rhymes and stories passed down through generations? Whether a stage tune, a cautionary tale, or simply a song about a popular baker, this nursery rhyme has certainly left an indelible mark on our hearts and histories.
By Diana Bocco, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: The Muffin Man: Is The Beloved Nursery Rhyme Based On A Serial Killer?
October 3, 2023
October 2, 2023
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