BIG QUESTIONS

Why Is Depression Sometimes Called “The Black Dog”?

Everyone from lexicographer Samuel Johnson to Prime Minister Winston Churchill has used the phrase—but where does it come from? Why a black dog?

Why Are Dairy Products Usually at the Back of a Grocery Store?

Grocery stores are intentionally designed in a way that makes you want to spend more money. The long trek to the dairy section is part of it.

“Shoot, did that plant have leaves of three?”

Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy?

Dogs can potentially have an allergic reaction to poison ivy, and they can also transmit the irritating oils to people. Here's what to do if you pet encounters the plant.

Centipedes and millipedes are actually quite different.

Millipedes vs. Centipedes: What’s the Difference?

They have many more legs than any arthropod should need, but millipedes and centipedes are different in almost every other way.

Every color in the Pride Flag stands for something—and here's what it all means.

What Do All the Colors in the Pride Flag Stand For?

The Pride Flag first appeared in 1978, but it's evolved a lot since its initial conception. Here's what all the colors really stand for.

Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?

The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.

Having second thoughts about not wearing socks.

Why Do We Say People Get ‘Cold Feet’ Before a Wedding?

Brides or grooms with second thoughts are said to have chilly extremities. The origin of the phrase has a little something to do with poker.

Land Sickness can be just as unsettling as seasickness.

What Is Land Sickness—and Why Does it Happen?

Seasickness happens when a person’s body struggles to grow accustomed to a boat’s motion patterns, causing them to feel unsteady and often nauseated. But land sickness happens in reverse.

Why Are Birds Attacking My Windows?

Nothing says “springtime” like the maddening, irregular percussion of a bird’s beak rapping repeatedly against your window.

Just looking at this makes your skin crawl.

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch So Much?

The telltale itch of a mosquito bite doesn’t actually come from the bite itself. It comes from something that’s a fair bit worse: literal blood-sucking.

Break out the dictionary and start counting.

How Many Words Are There in the English Language?

It’s complicated—and there are more questions than answers.

Why Is It Called a “Hamburger” If It Doesn’t Contain Ham?

Here's how the hamburger came by its misleading name.

A major thunderstorm is about to blow over this vineyard.

Scattered vs. Isolated Thunderstorms: What’s the Difference?

Meteorologists convey the chance of cloud cover or rain in percentages, but what those numbers mean in the real world isn’t always clear—so you’ll often hear terms like ‘scattered’ and ‘isolated’ to describe thunderstorms.

The open road is the last place you want to be during a tornado.

Should You Ever Park Under an Overpass During a Tornado?

Overpasses are widely seen as safe shelters during a severe weather event. In reality, they're deadly.

Why Is It Called an “Elevator Pitch”?

A quick sales attempt is said to be an “elevator pitch.” But does it actually have anything to do with elevators?

Can a Dead Body Still Get a Suntan?

So, you're dead. Do you still need sunscreen?

Why Are My Shoes Squeaky?

Squeaky shoes can happen for a number of reasons, including friction and moisture. But whether they fart or squeak, here are a few things you can do about that noisy footwear.

Alpacas vs. Llamas: What’s the Difference?

They’re both in the camel family and live in South America, but alpacas and llamas aren’t the same species.

Space has a starting point, but where it begins is still a topic of debate for experts.

Where Does Space Begin?

Some experts believe the Kármán Line is the deciding factor, but others aren't in agreement about where the frontier of space really begins.

Ice Cream vs. Frozen Dairy Dessert: What’s the Difference?

There's an ice cream impostor lurking in grocery stores. Here's why it matters.

Why Do We Call Things “Hot Button” Issues?

The phrase dates back to the 1960s, and has more than one meaning.

Did Humphrey Bogart Really Hog Joints? (And If Not, Why Do We Say ‘Bogart’?)

This weed slang originated in the 1960s and yep, you can thank Humphrey Bogart for it, but not for reasons you might expect.

Chipmunks vs. Squirrels: What’s the Difference?

Here's some helpful information about where chipmunks and squirrels live, what they eat, what sounds they make, and how to tell them apart visually.

Why Do Babies in Medieval Paintings Look So Scary?

If you’ve ever found yourself chuckling at the angry man-heads on human babies in medieval art, the joke is actually on you.

PREV NEXT