BIG QUESTIONS

It wasn't always associated with the holidays.

Why Is Holly a Symbol of Christmas?

The hardy plant’s ability to stay vibrant through the winter made it a natural choice for pre-Christian winter festivals, but why is holly now associated with Christmas?

Can You Bring Knitting Needles On a Plane?

Traveling with two sharp sticks can get a little tricky.

HSAs and FSAs don’t work in exactly the same ways.

HSA vs. FSA: What’s the Difference?

The differences between HSAs and FSAs include how they’re set up, how much you can contribute, and who qualifies.

“Now bring us some figgy pudding... maybe.”

What Is Figgy Pudding Anyway?

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

Where the ‘nog’ came from is a bit of a mystery.

How Did Eggnog Get Its Name?

The ‘egg’ part of ‘eggnog’ is obvious. The ‘nog’ is a little more mysterious—possibly involving noggins and/or grog.

That sound you hear isn't just in your head.

Why Does Snow Squeak When You Step On It?

Snow crunches underneath your feet during the winter months and makes a loud sound. Turns out, science is the reason why it does.

Prunes are a constipated person’s friend.

Why Do Prunes Make You Poop?

Prunes—the shiny, sweet dried fruits—are both exploited and ridiculed for their laxative properties. But do they really make you poop?

What Are Frankincense and Myrrh, Anyway?

Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?

What Are Urinal Cakes, Anyway?

Don't let the name fool you: Urinal cakes are most definitely not meant to be eaten. So what are they, and what do they do?

These barriers weren’t born in New Jersey.

Why Are Road Partitions Called “Jersey Barriers”?

They might be called “Jersey barriers,” but they weren’t born in the Garden State.

Even a pair of siblings might not really know the difference.

Eldest vs. Oldest: What’s the Difference?

We often use ‘eldest’ and ‘oldest’ interchangeably, but the words shouldn’t be swapped out so easily. Here's how to use each.

Relaxing for some, headache-inducing for others.

Why Does Red Wine Give Some People Headaches?

Some people can drink a lot of wine without ill effect. Others are on the couch after a glass. Science might know why.

Confused as to why ‘will not’ gets shortened to ‘won’t’? Blame Old English.

Why Does ‘Will Not’ Become ‘Won’t’?

Most contractions in English are pretty straightforward. Put it together, and shorten it up. But that isn't the case for ‘will not.’

How Much Would It Cost to Live on Sesame Street in Real Life?

A home on Sesame Street may have been affordable when the show premiered, but that's no longer the case.

Not something a driver wants to see in their rear-view mirror.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cars?

A professional dog trainer explains the instinctual reason driving the behavior and offers some expert advice on how to stop your dog from chasing cars.

Library binding is the best way to keep books in circulation.

What Is ‘Library Binding’?

A very, very specific set of standards can keep books from falling apart. But it's usually too expensive for consumers.

There's a reason we favor these hues around the holidays.

Why Are Red and Green the Colors of Christmas?

While there may be no definite consensus on how red and green became the official colors of Christmas, there are a few interesting explanations.

Why Does Santa Claus Give Coal to Bad Kids?

The tradition of giving misbehaving children lumps of coal predates the Santa Claus we know and love today.

Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?

Don't worry: It's not because sirens hurt dogs’ sensitive ears.

What ‘Sic’ Means—And How To Use It Correctly

The literal meaning of ‘sic’ is ‘so’ or ‘thus.’ But the way writers use it is a little more nuanced.

Doesn't the traffic light itself already cover this?

What’s the Point of a “Wait for Green” Traffic Sign?

The meaning of the “wait for green” traffic sign is less redundant than it seems.

Why Do We Only Say “Merry” for Christmas?

Americans favor 'Merry Christmas,' while Brits opt for 'Happy Christmas.' Here's how we got here.

The Truth About Olive Garden’s “Unlimited“ Breadsticks Deal

Olive Garden makes good on its promise of unlimited breadsticks, but the deal does come with some unpublicized caveats.

(It might have something to do with sick days.)

How Did Black Friday Get Its Name?

The day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, has a rather sinister label: Black Friday. How did that happen?

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