Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Alaska and Hawaii avoid changing their clocks back and forth for specific reasons.

An open road winds through colorful autumn trees in the mountains of Tennessee.

Leave it to nature to cushion the onset of cold weather with a literal golden lining. In exchange for red ears and runny noses, come fall, we get a sight for so

Skeletons and witches' feet decor in Utah

Discover the surprising history of Halloween decorations, from ancient Celtic traditions and carved turnips to the elaborate displays that adorn homes today.

FunTwo young boys screaming as they take the Ghost Train ride at the funfair August 1954

A scream is built to cut through every other sound around it, but plenty of people scream when they aren’t scared at all.

"A Black and a White Witch with a Devil Animal"

Why are witches depicted with pointy hats? Uncover the surprising history behind the iconic headwear, from 1600s fashion and Quakers to Hollywood.

Learn what causes static electricity, why it's worse in cold weather, and how to prevent painful shocks.

FRANCE-CLERMONT-FERRAND-THUNDERSTORM-LIGHTNING

The origin of the phrase "steal someone's thunder" comes from an incident involving a stolen invention on the London stage in 1709.

The "butterfly effect" may not mean exactly what you think. Here's the story behind the phrase's creation, along with an explanation of how it has become oversimplified in pop culture.

Before it became everyday advice for staying alert, "keep your eye on the ball" had a much more literal origin. Here’s where the phrase really came from.

The next time you feel a burning desire to torch your Benjamins, think twice. Burning money—or intentionally damaging it in any way—is illegal.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Milwaukee

The week of September 15 includes the anniversaries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico, and Chile's independence from Spain, which is why Hispanic Heritage Month starts at this time.

Prophet Ezekiel. Vision. Colored engraving.

From the seraphim and cherubim to Archangel Michael and the famous many-eyed wheels, angels take many forms—and many names—in the Bible.

Man thinking with question mark drawing above head

These hard would you rather questions will seriously spice up game night while helping you learn a whole lot more about your friends...and yourself.

Confederate and Union soldiers fighting during the Battle of Allatoona Pass: the high-stakes battle that popularized "hold the fort."

Discover the Civil War origin behind the phrase "hold the fort," from General Sherman’s battle signals to popular gospel hymns.

A German educator in the 1800s compared children to plants, and kindergarten was born!

Antique image from University of Rochester yearbook (1893).

Discover where the phrase “back to the grind” came from, and how “grind” went from college slang for hard work to an everyday expression.

How did personal injury lawyer billboards become so common across America? The answer is a combination of factors, including a nationwide spike in spending on legal advertising and the power of trends.

The small metal latch has been a familiar part of gas pump nozzles for decades, but why is it there?

Ever wondered why a secret advantage is called an "ace in the hole"? Discover the 19th-century poker origins behind this iconic idiom.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, first installed in 1410.

Ever wonder why we say "o'clock"? Discover the medieval origin of the phrase, how mechanical clocks changed timekeeping, and why the contraction stuck.