Big Questions Answered, How and Why

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

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

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.

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?

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

A revolving security door is a common sight at airports.

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

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

The sleeves might be performance enhancers. Or not.

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

Karaoke is a beloved pastime (for some people).

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Space shootouts are possible. The Soviets proved it.

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.

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

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?

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

Everybody gets to be Irish after they smooch this stone.

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.

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

A mass of shipping containers at the port of Shenzen, China.

Tariffs are a means for one country to wrangle better trade terms with another country and to protect domestic manufacturing. Unfortunately, they don’t always deliver.

Room temperature is a frame of reference.

Misunderstanding room temperature can have some surprisingly serious consequences.

BIG QUESTIONS

Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?

How Do Cats Purr?

How Does Duty-Free Work?

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

How Do Mirrors Work?

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

Why Are There 9 Supreme Court Justices?

Why Do Basketball Players Wear Arm Sleeves?

What Do the Lines on Starbucks Cups Mean?

Who Created Karaoke?

How Do Cars Get Their Names?

What Is the Tetris Effect?

Why Is It Called a “Soap Opera”?

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

What Exactly Is Beef Tallow?

What Happens If You Shoot a Gun in Space?

Why Did Toys Disappear From Cereal Boxes?

How Do Astronauts Breathe in Space?

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

ACT vs. SAT: What’s the Difference?

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

Why Does Easter’s Date Change Every Year?

How Do Tariffs Work?

What Exactly Is ‘Room Temperature’?