BIG QUESTIONS

Damaged mirrors can certainly make one distraught.

Why Do Mirrors Have Black Spots?

Those unsightly black marks even have a name: mirror rot.

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

Fable vs. Folktale vs. Myth: What’s the Difference?

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?

These planned communities became popular in the U.S. after World War II.

How Do Cats Purr?

We know cats purr for a variety of reasons. But the actual mechanics of how they make their signature sound remains unclear.

How Does Duty-Free Work?

Let’s take a look at a few of the rules regarding duties and declarations, and see what's up with the duty-free shop.

The UK is stricter about its bottled water than the U.S., as it were.

Why Can’t You Buy Dasani Bottled Water in the UK?

Dasani bottled water was poised to take the UK market by storm, but shortly after it was released in 2004, Coca-Cola yanked it off shelves. Discover the real reasons why here.

How else would cats know how handsome they are?

How Do Mirrors Work?

Considering the near-magical function mirrors perform, their construction is surprisingly simple.

A revolving security door is a common sight at airports.

Why Do We Need to Pass Through Three Glass Doors at Airport Exits?

Leaving an airport involves getting briefly stuck between glass doors. There's a reason for that.

Why Are There 9 Supreme Court Justices?

The U.S. Constitution doesn't specify how many Supreme Court justices are necessary—and there weren’t always nine on the bench.

Why Do Basketball Players Wear Arm Sleeves?

The sleeves might be performance enhancers. Or not.

What Do the Lines on Starbucks Cups Mean?

They’re mostly for the barista, not the customer.

Karaoke is a beloved pastime (for some people).

Who Created Karaoke?

We have two innovators to thank for our ability to scream-sing Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” in front of a group of strangers.

How Do Cars Get Their Names?

Naming a car is like naming a baby, only with a few hundred million dollars at stake.

The addictive ’80s game might also have psychological benefits.

What Is the Tetris Effect?

Anyone who has ever played ‘Tetris’ knows how addictive the ’80s video game can be. Scientists say the Tetris Effect may even have psychological benefits for people coping with PTSD.

The far-fetched plots were designed to keep viewers wanting more.

Why Is It Called a “Soap Opera”?

How did daytime dramas like “Guiding Light” and “General Hospital” become known as “soap operas”? It's all thanks to commercials.

Antiques vs. Memorabilia vs. Collectibles: What’s the Difference?

Do you often mix up antiques, memorabilia, and collectibles? If so, it‘s about time you learned the difference.

Beef tallow (not the best for an apple pie).

What Exactly Is Beef Tallow?

What it is, what it's used for, and whether it lives up to the hype.

What Happens If You Shoot a Gun in Space?

Space shootouts are possible. The Soviets proved it.

Why Did Toys Disappear From Cereal Boxes?

The days of police badges and lightsaber spoons lurking in boxes are over. Kids now get QR codes. What happened?

Astronauts Piers J. Sellers (left) and David A. Wolf in the midst of a pre-breathe exercise in preparation for a spacewalk.

How Do Astronauts Breathe in Space?

Engineers have had to come up with some interesting ways to generate oxygen for astronauts in the vacuum of space.

St. Patty’s Day vs. St. Paddy’s Day: Which Is Correct?

You can always avoid the issue by spelling out “St. Patrick’s Day,” but here’s how to properly abbreviate it.

The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests, but what‘s the difference between the two?

ACT vs. SAT: What’s the Difference?

Learn about the SAT and ACT differences, including test format, scoring systems, and duration.

Everybody gets to be Irish after they smooch this stone.

Where Does the Phrase ‘Gift of Gab’ Come From?

This St. Patrick’s Day, discover the origins of this old Irish idiom and how it all ties back to the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

Why Does Easter’s Date Change Every Year?

Easter always happens sometime in March or April—but the date is never the same each year.