BIG QUESTIONS

What Is the Wilhelm Scream?

The Wilhelm Scream sound effect has been heard in everything from 'Star Wars' to 'Avatar.' But why do so many filmmakers use it?

Electrolytes are important, yes. But you don't necessarily need drinks full of them.

What Are Electrolytes, and Why Do We Need Them?

Sports drinks are full of them. But are they good for you, or just really expensive pee?

What would our thoughts be without language?

Is It Possible To Think Without Language?

Language is so deeply embedded in almost every aspect of the way we interact with the world. What would our thoughts be like without it?

'Psst. You hear about Ed in accounting?'

Why Do We Say We 'Heard It Through the Grapevine'?

No, it's not because of Marvin Gaye.

It had a little something to do with syphilis.

The Reason People Wore Powdered Wigs

For nearly two centuries, powdered wigs—called perukes—were all the rage. The chic hairpiece would have never become popular, however, if it hadn't been for a venereal disease, a pair of self-conscious kings, and poor hair hygiene.

Why Are Horseshoes Considered Lucky?

Horseshoes are said to bring in good fortune and keep evil out.

Can Plants Die of Old Age?

Houseplants can die of old age, but likely not within your lifetime.

The phrase '86' may have originated in restaurants.

Where Did the Term '86' Come From?

There are a few schools of thought. Some have more legs than others—such as those of the restaurant industry—but to this day, there is still no official etymology. Here are a few possibilities.

There's a good reason dogs sniff each other's butts.

Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other's Butts?

Chemicals from special glands on a dog’s rear end tell other dogs a lot about them. Here’s why dogs sniff each other's butts.

A young woman gets tested for syphilis in a "trailer-laboratory" in Washington, D.C. in 1937.

Why Did States Require Blood Tests for Marriage Licenses?

Requiring blood tests to get a marriage license had nothing to do with an Oedipal fear of accidentally marrying a close relative.

We have some bad news about your ‘hypoallergenic’ pet.

Is There Such Thing as a Hypoallergenic Pet?

We asked some allergy experts if a truly hypoallergenic animal actually exists.

Ever wondered how the front passenger seat of a car came to be called "shotgun"?

Why is the Passenger Seat Called "Shotgun"?

John Wayne had a little to do with it.

'Equity' and 'equality' are not quite the same.

What’s the Difference Between Equity and Equality?

The dictionary definition of ‘equity’ seems similar to that of ‘equality,’ but there’s an important distinction between the two.

What Ever Happened To Waterbeds?

Waterbeds were once a coveted "fluid fixture" of bedrooms—until, suddenly, they weren't. So who or what led to their demise?

Why Does Squinting Help You See Better?

Why does using less of your eye help you see something more clearly? There's a pretty simple explanation.

Ireland: Come for the Guinness, stay for the lack of snakes.

Why Are There No Snakes in Ireland?

Legend tells of St. Patrick using the power of his faith to drive all of Ireland’s snakes into the sea. It’s an impressive image, but there’s no way it could have happened.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

Council vs. Counsel: What’s the Difference?

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

This woman's shirt is green and blue, probably to symbolize the complicated history of colors associated with St. Patrick.

Why Do We Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day?

Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a tradition that has been around for a few centuries, but it didn’t start with St. Patrick.

What Causes Red Tides?

The phenomenon might look like a biblical plague, but the source is far more mundane.

Can Catholics Eat Meat This St. Patrick’s Day? It’s Complicated

For practicing Catholics, meat is off limits on Fridays during Lent. But they might be able to make an exception this March 17.

Macaroon vs. Macaron: What’s the Difference?

‘Macaron’ and ‘macaroon’ aren’t just two versions of the same word. These days, anyway.

Can You Really Laugh Yourself to Death?

In 1975, a woman found her husband dead in a chair after watching a BBC sitcom. He had been laughing for almost a half-hour. Was it merriment that killed him?

Why Is It Called “Corned Beef” If It Doesn’t Contain Corn?

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

Queen vs. Queen Consort: What’s the Difference?

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

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