krampus predates christmas. originally, he was a son of hel, the norse god of the underworld.

beginning in the late 17th century, the english took up the custom of wife selling, where a man and woman would agree that they didn't belong together, at which point the man would auction off the woman to the highest bidder. it persisted into the early 20th century.

the children's song and game of 'london bridge' refers to the practice of entombing a child alive inside a structure to watch over it for eternity - a common practice in europe at the time.

that's right - the song and the game celebrate ritual sacrifice.

in england, royal navy ships entering the port of london are still required to give the constable of the tower a barrel of rum.

cockle bread used to be baked by english women who liked a particular fellow. it was kneaded via rubbing up against it with one's bare crotch, then presented to the lucky fellow after baking.

the word 'lullaby' originates in hebrew, and means 'lilith, begone'. lilith is a mythical vampire that preys on children and men.

(apparently women are too smart for her.)

until the 19th century, if you were an american bride-to-be, you received a thimble, not an engagement ring.

the western version of the tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen at a wedding was originally intended to confound evil spirits who might mean harm to the happy couple. apparently, evil spirits can't tell us apart if we wear similar clothing.