Carl Pettit is a writer and editor with interests ranging from international relations and political humor to the arts and modern media.
Carl Pettit
Where Does the Phrase ‘Paint the Town Red’ Come From?
When you hit the streets and tell everyone you’re gonna "paint the town red,” what you really mean to say is that you and your compadres are planning a no holds barred evening (and maybe early morning) of heavy drinking, dancing and all around bacchanalian excess.
Curling 101 – Everything You Need to Know About the Game
You might think you’ve tried every ice and snow sport there is, but unless you’re already a member of a very strange and unique ice and granite-loving tribe, you probably haven’t tried curling yet.
What’s the Real Story Behind Men Wearing Ties?
Despite what many a working stiff might think, men do not wear neckties to facilitate strangulation when their bosses are less than pleased with their work.
So, why do men wear this variable, often quite fashionable, and utterly useless piece of business attire?
5 Winter Sports You Don’t Need an Olympic Medal to Play
Often times when you think of playing some sort of winter sport, you think of skiing, luge, snowboarding, and all those other hard to play games. (That is, hard if you're not an Olympian.) For those of us without any skill when it comes to those hardcore athletics, there are other winter sports that are, shall we say, more accessible. ...
Where Did the Phrase ‘Got You Over a Barrel’ Come From?
If someone has you ‘over a barrel,’ it’s never a good sign. This phrase means you’re in an extremely vulnerable position, and another human being (most likely not a friend) is taking advantage of that vulnerability.
Michigan’s Curtis Winter Carnival Celebrates Everything Winter Has to Offer
When thinking of the best place to celebrate winter, most of us don't automatically think of Michigan, but we should. Every year, the folks living in Curtis, MI, hosts the aptly named Curtis Winter Carnival, which falls on February 18th this time around.
7 Snowshoes and Poles to Help You Survive Winter Trekking
Yes, winter has been pretty mild in the US this year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to come, or that you can’t head up into the mountains and literally get your feet wet. In preparation for the potential of a less-than-likely major snow storm, we’ve provided a small list of some of the best snowshoes on the market....
Freaked About Perishing In a Natural Disaster? Here’s the Real Story
Some people think this century has gotten off to a pretty dangerous start, what with 2004's major and deadly tsunami in Asia. Oh yeah, and there was also that recent tsunami in Japan, those earthquakes in Haiti, Iran and elsewhere, those rampant wildfires in Europe, and so on. To stop your mind from asking, "When will it be my turn?" here is the real story about dying in a natural disas
Top 5 Outdoor Winter Travel Destinations In the World [PICTURES]
A lot of people imagine escaping the bite of a harsh winter by booking a week or two on a sunny, tropical island somewhere. Not us. We believe you should make the most of the cold, and take your next holiday somewhere freezing, but awesome. Here are five spots, in a variety of locations, with a heck of a lot to offer...
6 of the Coolest (Pun Intended) Ice-Skating Rinks Around
Winter in the city is one of the best times of the year, and what better way to witness the flourishing surroundings first hand than to visit some of the most well-known ice rinks. Here’s six of the best, and most unusual ice-skating rinks that should definitely be on everyone's list of tourist attractions. ...