The expression—which can be used for all things adorable—dates back to the early 20th century.

BIG QUESTIONS
The amount of gold in Olympic medals is regulated, and there’s a lot less than there used to be.
Deodorant sticks often come with one outer cap and one inner cap, but the purpose of that extra inner cap isn’t really clear.
Beach volleyball's hand signals are a handy way for a blocker to clue their teammate into their next move.
There's a reason why two caps are better than one.
You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? It may have actually been a different type of palm tree.
Fencing body cords aren't a safety measure.
The sophisticated cephalopods have highly evolved vision and can use jet propulsion to escape predators, but there are a few key differences between squid and cuttlefish.
People often confuse funnel clouds with tornadoes, but they're not the same. Learn how to tell the two apart.
It's to get the blood flowing—or is it?
In events where success or failure can be measured in tiny increments, it’s not surprising athletes will turn to any potential advantage. But does cupping actually work?
The idiom for demanding payment doesn’t quite have the equine origins one would think.
There’s a lot of cultural and religious significance attached to this enduring Jewish wedding tradition. Plus, it’s just plain fun.
The fabric strawberry is more than just a cute accessory to an already cute accessory. It also serves as an important tool.
There’s a historical reason, but there may be a social one as well.
The most popular Chinese takeout dish in the U.S. is a sweet, spicy, saucy chicken entree named after a famous Hunanese general who actually preferred pork.
Consumer tastes have shifted over the past 20 years.
Suggestions for what to call the period of time from 2000–2009 ranged from ‘the nillies’ and ‘the oh-ohs’ to ‘the double zeroes’ and ‘the noughties.’ So how’d we land on ‘the aughts’?
Some dogs lift their leg to pee as a way of marking their territory. But they also do it as a way of letting other dogs know they're the baddest canine in town.