BIG QUESTIONS

Why Wendy’s Quietly Got Rid of Its Elegant Sunrooms

Solariums are nostalgic for many customers, but Wendy's thinks they’re dated.

There’s no doubt about it—rotting food is gross.

How Did ‘Gross’ Become a Term of Disgust?

The word ‘gross,’ which came to English from French, took on a variety of senses in English related to size. But the ‘gross of today is different from the ‘gross’ of the past thanks to teens.

What’s the Difference Between Yams and Sweet Potatoes?

Ever wondered if yams and sweet potatoes are the same thing? Read this before sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.

The face that launched a thousand memes.

Where Does the Word ’Meme’ Come From?

The word predates social media.

Why Do We Eat Pumpkin Pie on Thanksgiving?

Pumpkin pie was actually born in Europe—until American colonists claimed it as their own in the late 18th century.

Why Are Elections Held on Tuesdays?

There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Find out more about the history of Election Day.

What Does the ‘Ty’ on Beanie Babies Tags Mean?

The "Ty" on the iconic heart-shaped Beanie Babies tag isn't an abbreviation. It's the name of the toy brand and its notorious founder.

Some male lions simply don’t have manes. What’s up with that?

Why Do Some Male Lions Lack Manes?

Climate can cause a big difference in how much hair a lion grows.

Why Is an Informant Called a ‘Stool Pigeon‘?

Pigeons aren’t known to be particularly talkative birds.

The ‘tow’ in ‘towhead’ doesn't refer to transporting a vehicle with a flat tire.

Why Do We Call Blonde Kids ‘Towheads’?

The origin of ‘towhead’ has roots in 14th-century England, when ‘tow’ often referred to textile fibers.

Cleaning a porta potty is no walk in the park.

How Are Porta Potties Cleaned?

To keep porta potties (relatively) clean, sanitation workers require special equipment and a strong stomach.

Why Is Opening an Umbrella Indoors Supposed to Be Bad Luck?

When it comes to superstitions about bad luck, indoor umbrellas are right up there with broken mirrors and black cats.

Why Is the First Episode of a TV Show Called a ‘Pilot’?

Getting a concept onto the big screen is a difficult process, and the pilot episode is what can make—or, more often, break—a series. By why is it called that?

Modern office machines are made to fit a certain size of paper.

The Reason Why a Standard Piece of Paper Is 8.5 Inches by 11 Inches

The letter-sized standard actually has roots in the 1660s, when paper was made by hand—and Herbert Hoover had something to do with it, too.

Use of the word ‘placebo’ in a medical context is more recent than you might think.

Why Is It Called the “Placebo Effect”?

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

Hawaii is home to a number of lava tubes.

What Is a Lava Tube, and Where Can I Find One?

Caves and volcanoes don’t often go hand-in-hand in our imaginations, but the second most common type of cave in the world is made from the power of volcanoes.

Do Scarecrows Actually Work?

Scare crows may deter crows and blackbirds, but you'll have to make some modifications for them to really work.

What Is an Oreo Cookie's "Creme" Filling Made Of?

The "creme" in Oreo cookies isn't really cream at all, but does that make Oreos vegan? The answer is complicated.

Disinformation vs. Misinformation: What’s the Difference?

The difference between misinformation and disinformation boils down to the intent behind it (or lack thereof). Plus, a handy trick for knowing which term to use when the time comes.

How Does Sword Swallowing Really Work?

The ancient art of sword swallowing may seem like some sort of elaborate trick—but it’s very, very real (and very, very dangerous).

Watching a scary movie can definitely send shivers down your spine—but why?

Why Do We Get Shivers Down Our Spines?

You’re watching a scary movie or the music swells during your favorite song—the shiver up and down your spine is your body responding to a range of emotions.

When Did Vampires and Werewolves Start Hating Each Other?

Their (often literal) blood feud is a relatively modern creation. So how did vampires and werewolves end up at each other’s throats?

Why Do Airplanes Feel Like They’re Moving So Slowly?

You know planes cover hundreds of miles per hour. So why doesn't it look like they do?

How and when to wash jeans is a debate for the ages.

How Often Should You Wash Your Jeans? The Levi's CEO Has an Answer

Some denim devotees never wash. Others find that disgusting. The head of Levi's weighs in.

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