Big Questions Answered, How and Why

This classic fall-time activity poses more risks than you may think, but there are things you can do to mitigate them.

One indication you're in a dive bar: a neon sign.

The moniker for your favorite type of rancid watering hole, explained.

Eadray isthay articleyay otay indfay outyay! (For the uninitiated, that’s “read this article to find out!”)

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?