Big Questions Answered, How and Why

It’s more than just an educated guess—a scientific theory has the facts to back it up.

The slang term for our mental health professionals has a rather grim history.

Diesel engines and diesel fuel have an interesting history.

Diesel engines power heavy-duty vehicles, from cargo trucks to ships. But where does ‘Diesel’ come from?

One key ingredient has linked the dish to Massachusetts—and it isn’t the actual beans themselves.

Pumpkin spice can be a mix of more than 300 flavors.

Pumpkin spice can contain more than 300 flavors—and no actual pumpkin. Here’s what’s really in the fall favorite.

Legal eagles like adding “Esquire” to their letterhead. But does it actually carry any meaning?

School buses don't always come with seatbelts.

Drivers are constantly being reminded to buckle up. The same rule doesn’t seem to apply to busloads of children.

Labor Day falls on September 1 in 2025. While the exact date changes each year, its position in the week has stayed the same since the 19th century.

Wearing white after Labor Day? Oh, the horror!

The unofficial—but widely known—fashion rule can be traced back more than 100 years to some snobby millionaires.

Car horns don't work quite how you might think.

Can honking at too much traffic actually deplete your car’s horn? The answer might surprise you.

A litmus test is an idiom for a challenge. But why?

When a politician, sports team, or anyone else faces a defining challenge, it's referred to as a “litmus test.” What's litmus, and why is it being tested?

Many pregnant people struggle with nausea and vomiting, especially during the first trimester.

Nausea and vomiting are the bane of many a pregnant person’s first trimester. And despite the name, the symptoms aren’t just limited to the morning.

A hiker crosses a ravine on a log through Olympic National Park’s rainforest.

Two factors explain why Seattle, Portland, and surrounding areas get all that precipitation.

No one wants to go through a nuclear war.

Cockroaches have a reputation for being indestructible. But they may not be as totally immune to radiation as people think.

A 15th-century queen might have something to do with it. Plus, why the heck vampires have them.

Houses can have a lot of architectural quirks.

These little spaces often spark curiosity and nostalgia, though few people know their history.

Though the gray band is safe to eat, it’s not particularly appetizing.

Counterintuitively, pouring water over yourself on a humid day might not cool you off.

While 100 percent humidity might seem to suggest there should be pure rain showers, there may not even be a hint of drizzle. So what does it mean to reach peak humidity?

The stringy white glob hanging off an egg yolk is a chalaza. Here’s what it does and when you should remove it.

Not everyone enjoys classical music blaring out of gas station loudspeakers. And that's the point.

Gas stations know what they’re doing when they play Bach at the pump.

Cracking your car’s rear window can be a highly unpleasant experience—and physics is to blame.

You deserve a bowl full of non-spoiled ice cream.

No one wants to discover a freezer full of spoiled ice cream. Here’s how to tell if the creamy treat is still good—and how to make sure it’s safe to eat for as long as possible.

Digital blood pressure monitors allow people to check their systolic and diastolic numbers at home.

You can’t actually feel your blood pressure, but it’s one of the body’s most important indicators of cardiovascular health. Here’s the lowdown on how blood pressure works—and what it means for your overall wellness.

Calling police officers “cops” dates to the 19th century.

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’

BIG QUESTIONS

What Is a Scientific Theory?

Why Do We Call Psychiatrists “Shrinks”? The Reason Is Surprisingly Gruesome

Why Do We Call It a “Diesel” Engine?

How Did Boston Baked Beans Get Their Name?

What Exactly Is Pumpkin Spice?

Legal Brief: The Arbitrary Reason Some Lawyers Use “Esquire”

Why Don’t More School Buses Have Seatbelts?

Why Is Labor Day Always Celebrated on a Monday?

Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?

Do Cars Ever Run Out of Honk?

Why Is It Called a “Litmus Test”?

Why Is It Called “Morning Sickness” If It Can Last All Day?

Why Is the Pacific Northwest So Rainy?

Could Cockroaches Really Survive a Nuclear War?

Why Is a V-Shaped Hairline Called a “Widow’s Peak”?

What Are Those Little Doors in Old Houses For?

What’s the Tough, Gray Band Inside My Steak?

Why Isn’t 100 Percent Humidity Always Rain?

What’s the Little White Thing in an Egg?

The Surprisingly Harsh Reason Gas Stations Play Classical Music

Why Does Driving With a Car’s Rear Windows Down Hurt Your Ears?

How Do You Know If Ice Cream Has Gone Bad?

How Does Blood Pressure Work?

Why Are Police Officers Called “Cops”?