1

Long Tom

Image: Richard Hedrick

This nickname refers to a Founding Father, one of our nation's earliest presidents, famously born in Virginia. Author of the Declaration of Independence, he also oversaw the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Monticello was his home, now a museum and historical site. You know who we're talking about, don't you?

2

Grand Wrestler

Image: Fiona Murray-deGraaff

This is certainly a powerful nickname, right? And it was attributed to a great man who led our nation during the Civil War. Author of the famous Gettysburg Address , he is also famous for having issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. His beard and stovepipe hat are forever etched in our memory. What's your guess?

3

American Fabius

Image: Matt Briney

Quintus Fabius Maximus was a Roman general known for his astute strategies during the Punic Wars. In honour of that general and for the clever tactics he deployed during a conflict in our country's history, one of our presidents earned the nickname "American Fabius". He was also nicknamed "The father of his country." Do you know who we are referring to?

4

The Human Iceberg

Image: Annie Spratt

This nickname may seem a bit harsh, perhaps even exaggerated. "The Human Iceberg" was given to our 23rd president, who led the country from 1889 to 1893, due to his rather stiff and reserved demeanor.

Before becoming president, this commander-in-chief served in the Union Army during the Civil War, and he was also the grandson of a former president! Do you know who he is?

5

Old Man Eloquent

Image: Tim Mossholder

The man who was known as "Old Man Eloquent" not only served as president, but also served in the US House of Representatives for nearly 17 years. Before becoming president, he helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. Additionally, he was the son of the 2nd president of the United States!

6

His Little Majesty

Image: rupixen

This is another nickname that points to physical features, and we could say it was not used with the best intentions. However, this president was also proudly known as the "Father of the Constitution." In addition, he served two consecutive terms and led the country through the War of 1812. If you want to know who he is, keep reading!

7

Long Tom: Thomas Jefferson

Image: Alicia Razuri

Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of our country, was very tall, a feature that earned him the nickname "Long Tom." He was 6' 2'', making him one of the tallest presidents in US history. According to descriptions from the time, President Jefferson was well-proportioned, and his height was above average compared to his contemporaries. Did you know that?

8

Grand Wrestler: Abraham Lincoln

Image: Ed Fr

At 6' 4'', Abraham Lincoln was slightly taller than Thomas Jefferson, but his nickname "Grand Wrestler" came not from his height but from his impressive wrestling skills. That's right! As a young man, the 16th US President was a fantastic wrestler, and his athleticism and physical toughness were outstanding qualities even in his later years.

9

American Fabius: George Washington

Image: Priscilla Gyamfi

Before becoming the 1st president of the United States, George Washington served as the Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was known for his clever, strategic use of attrition, avoiding massive battles and conserving troops, a tactic that contributed enormously to the American victory.

He earned the nickname "American Fabius" because his techniques resembled those of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, who fought against Hannibal's Carthaginian forces during the Second Punic War.

10

The Human Iceberg: Benjamin Harrison

Image: René DeAnda

Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, earned the nickname "The Human Iceberg" due to his reserved and formal character in both political and social interactions. However, despite this rather harsh nickname, many admired his seriousness and intellect.

11

Old Man Eloquent: John Quincy Adams

Image: Larry Ferreira

You were right! "Old Man Eloquent" is the nickname given to John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, who was also the son of the 2nd president, John Adams.

As we mentioned, he served in the US House of Representatives for 17 years, and it was during that time that his excellent oratory skills and great speeches truly stood out, earning him this peculiar yet favorable alias.

12

His Little Majesty: James Madison

Image: Richard Hedrick

Unlike Lincoln and Jefferson, James Madison was known for his short stature. His 5' 4'' made him the shortest president in US history and earned him the nickname "His Little Majesty".

Initially used by his adversaries, the moniker later took on a more humorous and even affectionate tone, with the word "Majesty" emphasizing Madison's strong and important role in shaping our nation.

1

Nike’s Swoosh was created for $35

Image: Shubham Mittal

Yes, it was. The iconic Nike swoosh was sketched in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student, for the grand sum of $35. She was helping out a friend—Nike co-founder Phil Knight—who needed a logo for his up-and-coming sneaker brand.

Years later, as Nike soared, the company gave her a thank-you gift: a gold swoosh ring and stock options that ended up being worth millions .

2

Coca-Cola originally contained cocaine

Image: Olena Bohovyk

It sounds like an urban legend, but it’s true: early versions of Coca-Cola did contain coca leaf extract , which naturally included trace amounts of cocaine. When pharmacist John Pemberton invented the drink in 1886, it was marketed as a "brain tonic" and nerve remedy, back when cocaine was legal and considered medicinal. By 1929, the formula was fully decocainized.

3

Neither Ben nor Jerry had any previous business experience

Image: Hybrid Storytellers

Absolutely. Longtime friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State and launched their first scoop shop in a converted gas station in Vermont in 1978.

4

Barbie was based on a German adult doll

Image: Peyman Shojaei

True! She sure was. In the 1950s, Ruth Handler spotted a German novelty doll called Bild Lilli while on vacation. Originally sold as a gag gift for men, Lilli was fashionable, curvy, and definitely not meant for children. But Handler saw potential: she reimagined Lilli as a stylish role model for girls, and the first Barbie debuted in 1959.

5

Milton Hershey missed the Titanic voyage

Image: Janne Simoes

He definitely wasn’t on board—lucky for him! But just how close he came to sailing is uncertain. Legend has it that Milton Hershey and his wife were set to sail on the Titanic in 1912, but canceled at the last minute.

The only clue? A check stub showing a $300 deposit to the White Star Line. While there’s no confirmed ticket, the story has stuck.

6

GM hated (and banned) the nickname "Chevy"

Image: Jose Mueses

This one is partially true. In 2010, GM sent a memo urging employees to stop using the nickname "Chevy" in favor of the full "Chevrolet." The public backlash was swift—critics called the move tone-deaf. After all, "Chevy" was beloved, catchy, and woven into Americana.

Within days, the company backpedaled , assuring fans that "Chevy" wasn’t going anywhere. You just can’t mess with a nickname that’s already set in people’s hearts.

7

Apple was named after the forbidden fruit

Image: TheRegisti

Not quite. Steve Jobs chose the name "Apple" in 1976 because it sounded "fun, spirited, and not intimidating." It also gave the young company a strategic edge—it came before "Atari" in the phone book, which mattered in the era of printed directories.

8

Starbucks was named after Moby Dick’s first mate

Image: Athar Khan

Yes, though it was a winding path. The founders were searching for a name that evoked the seafaring tradition of coffee trading. After toying with " Pequod " (Captain Ahab’s ship), they landed on "Starbuck"—the first mate in Moby-Dick and a name with a strong, classic ring to it.

9

Harley-Davidson was going bankrupt, but its logo saved it

Image: Donald Teel

This one is sort of true. In the early 1980s, Harley-Davidson was revving on empty. The rise of Japanese bikes had them cornered—until the brand leaned hard into nostalgia . The bar-and-shield logo, dating back to 1910, became the centerpiece of a marketing push built on American pride, leather jackets, and the unmistakable growl of a V-twin engine.

It worked. The logo became a badge of rebellion, and Harley rebounded.

10

There’s an arrow hidden in FedEx’s logo

Image: Toni Pomar

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Look closely between the "E" and the "x" in the FedEx logo—there’s a white arrow formed by the negative space. It’s a perfect symbol for speed, direction, and efficiency.

The logo was designed in 1994 by Lindon Leader, and the hidden arrow was no accident. It’s a subtle nod to the company’s core promise: to get it there fast .

11

"Breakfast at Tiffany’s" launched the brand

Image: Sam Lashbrooke

False! Breakfast at Tiffany’s didn’t launch the brand. Tiffany & Co. had been around since 1837, known for fine jewelry and that iconic blue box. However, after the 1961 film, Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress and wistful gaze into the Tiffany’s shop window helped cement the brand’s image of elegance .

12

Levi’s blue jeans were created for gold miners

Image: Varun Gaba

Absolutely. In 1873, Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis patented durable denim trousers with copper rivets— perfect for miners during the California Gold Rush . The jeans were tough, practical, and ideal for the grueling work conditions out west. In time, what began as rugged workwear became an American icon.

13

Amazon was named after "the biggest river"

Image: Sunrise King

Yes, it was intentional. Jeff Bezos wanted a name that conveyed vastness, exoticism, and would appear early in web listings . "Amazon" fit the bill—although it could have been named "Nile," which is often cited as the world’s longest river. Bezos liked the idea of building the biggest online store in the world, just like the Amazon is the biggest river by volume.

1

He was not allowed to attend school

Image: Hennie Stander

It was a different time back then, that is for sure. Because Hamilton’s parents were never married, he was barred from attending school . Fortunately, the young Alexander was privately educated and pored over his family’s collection of classics.

Despite being an orphan from an early age (his father abandoned the family when Hamilton was just a boy, and his mother died not long after), Hamilton stayed on course and remained an avid reader throughout his life.

2

His writing skills helped him leave the Caribbean

Image: Clark Young

Alexander Hamilton was born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. A letter he sent to his father detailing a hurricane that struck Saint Croix was reprinted in the Royal Danish American Gazette due to his remarkable penmanship.

The locals were so impressed by his style that they raised money to send Hamilton to a college in the British North American colonies.

3

Self-taught lawyer

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm

Most people would have been happy with their lot in life if they were George Washington’s personal secretary, but not Alexander Hamilton. After resigning from his post, he was able to study law and passed a legal examination within six months in 1782 .

He had been reading law on his own in Nevis and at King’s College and had studied with John Jay and William Paterson, two future Supreme Court justices.

4

The bulk of the Federalist Papers

Image: Sear Greyson

Hamilton, along with Madison and Jay, was one of the three authors of The Federalist Papers , which helped secure the Constitution's ratification. Hamilton wrote roughly 51 of the 85 essays , which are still consulted today by scholars and the Supreme Court. However, Hamilton’s authorship of the documents wasn’t made public until after his death in 1804.

5

Founded the Treasury Department

Image: Alexander Schimmeck

When Washington became president, he appointed Hamilton as the first Secretary of the Treasury . Hamilton devised a solution to pay off the former colonies’ war debt and then organized the Treasury Department into a powerful unit.

Hamilton also formed the First Bank of the United States and helped convince other nations that the United States was financially stable.

6

Inspired the first American political party

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

Hamilton’s work as Treasury Secretary and his advocacy for a strong central government led to the unofficial formation of the Federalist Party by 1791 . And, as often happens when a political party arises, a rival is quickly formed.

In response, leaders like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson created a political faction known as the Democratic-Republicans, which directly opposed Hamilton and his ideas.

7

Helped his political rival become President

Image: Alicia Razuri

In the 1800 presidential election, the House of Representatives, controlled by the Federalists, had two Republican candidates to choose from: Jefferson and Aaron Burr. In a private letter to a House member, Hamilton expressed his strong dislike for Burr .

"Mr. Burr loves nothing but himself—thinks of nothing but his own aggrandizement—and will be content with nothing short of permanent power in his own hands. In a choice of Evils, let them take the least—Jefferson is, in my view, less dangerous than Burr."

8

Received Washington’s last letter

Image: Valeria Reverdo

George Washington, the first president of the United States, sent his last written letter to Hamilton two days before his death on December 14, 1799. In it, Washington (who had been a mentor to Hamilton throughout his political career) praised his apprentice’s idea of establishing a national military academy.

Washington wrote to Hamilton that such an institution would be of "primary importance to the country."

9

Founded the New York Post

Image: Roman Kraft

Hamilton conceived his newspaper, originally called the New York Evening Post , as a megaphone for the anti-Jefferson Federalist Party , which he helped create. Hamilton himself wrote many of The Post’s early editorials.

The newspaper was founded in November 1801, and according to its editor, William Coleman, Hamilton personally wrote many of the editorials.

10

His son died in a duel, too

Image: GAIMARD

Just like his father, Philip Hamilton also received a mortal wound in a duel . This tragic event occurred three years before Alexander Hamilton’s own demise, under similar circumstances.

Both duels took place in Weehawken, New Jersey. In a cruel twist of fate, Alexander Hamilton even used the same set of pistols as his son.