Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Swine don‘t really sweat much. So why do we associate them with being nervous?

A map of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 showing where the fire burned.

Many believed the origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a cow kicking over a lantern. A map of the fire’s path suggested otherwise.

Are wallabies kangaroos? Learn about the family connection and physical traits that set them apart in the animal kingdom.

Is your neighbor acting strangely? Must be a full moon.

Along with Mercury in retrograde, the full moon is a pretty popular scapegoat for bad luck and bizarre behavior. Is it warranted?

There’s more to frogs versus toads than meets the eye.

Are frogs and toads really that different? Get the facts on their appearance, habitats, and breeding habits and learn how to tell them apart.

Uncover the intriguing history of how the seasons got their names and the meanings behind them.

Both cats live in North America. Here's how to tell the difference between the two wild felines.

The Super Bowl has a unique numbering system.

The National Football League doesn’t want to confuse you.

This person is literally feeling their oats—but is that where the phrase came from?

The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

Would a smell by any other name evoke such delight?

Discover the science behind that irresistible “new car smell”—and whether it need to roll down your windows.

Why in tarnation do we think Yosemite Sam always said "tarnation"?

The origins and meaning of 'tarnation' are simple; its 'Looney Tunes' legacy is anything but.

A pirate flag with the distinctive eyewear.

Did pirates wear eye patches to see better in the dark? Find out the truth behind the iconic style choice.

Those mysterious white lines you often see on the road right before a storm aren't just for show.

In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “FEB-yoo-air-ee.” Both Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries consider the common pronunciation correct, along with the less common, more traditional standard “FEB-roo-air-ee.”

You've probably been within spitting distance of a nuclear warhead without even realizing it.

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.