93: Gef the Talking Mongoose, Origin of Haunted Houses, and Halloween Candy Myths

It's finally Halloween! This week we're joined by very spooky guest Alyssa Cooper as we learn about Gef, a talking Mongoose who haunted a rural home on the Isle of Man, how haunted houses share a history with Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and how unfounded rumors about razor blades in apples continue to ruin trick or treating for everyone. A listener mail tells us about an aspiring lawyer who took a bite out of crime.

Episode Tabs:

The strange and deeply unlikely tale of Gef the talking mongoose

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2024/03/the-strange-and-deeply-unlikely-tale-of-gef-the-talking-mongoose/

The Great Depression Origins of Halloween Haunted Houses

https://www.history.com/articles/halloween-haunted-house-great-depression

Halloween Sadism

https://www.joelbest.net/halloween-sadism

Listener Tabs:

Fabric of a Nation – American Quilt Stories at Boston MFA

https://cottoncandyfabrics.blog/2022/01/03/fabric-of-a-nation-american-quilt-stories-at-boston-mfa/

Summer Associate’s Naughty Toddler Impression Gets Her Bounced From Biglaw

https://abovethelaw.com/2025/07/summer-associates-naughty-toddler-impression-gets-her-bounced-from-biglaw/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

500 Open Roads (Google Maps episode guide): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tg9g2HcUaFAzXGbw7

Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.