Big Questions Answered, How and Why

It may be hard to tell foxes and coyotes apart from far away, but there are several key differences distinguishing them.

The historic—and historical—grand opening of New York City's Brooklyn Bridge in May 1883.

Learn when to use historic vs. historical in English language. Find out the differences and similarities between the two terms.

Shellshocked? Nah. Shell-curious? Oh absolutely.

Discover the fascinating ways eggs provide everything a baby bird needs, including oxygen through a sophisticated system of membranes and air pockets.

Paying to access your own money seems wrong, but it's how everyone from your bank to your local bar cashes in.

Uncover the secrets of the dawn chorus and why birds choose to sing in the early hours.

You can tell this is a Cooper’s hawk by its finger-like wing feathers and menacing red eyes.

Uncover the key features that set hawks and falcons apart, including their flight patterns, eye color, size, and hunting techniques.

Are black cats bad luck? Uncover the fascinating myths and legends surrounding these enigmatic creatures and learn why they've been both feared and revered throughout history.

The apostrophe in Presidents Day—or President's Day or Presidents's Day—is all over the place ... or nowhere to be found at all.

This picture contains clues to the big cat’s identity.

Learn how to “spot” the differences between jaguars and leopards based on their anatomy, behavior, and geographic ranges.

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.

BIG QUESTIONS

Coyotes vs. Foxes: What’s the Difference—and How to Tell Them Apart

Historic vs. Historical: What’s the Difference (And Which Should I Use)?

How Do Baby Birds Breathe Inside Their Eggs?

Why Do I Have to Pay ATM Fees?

Why Do Birds Sing at Dawn?

Hawks vs. Falcons: What’s The Difference?

Why Are Black Cats Considered Bad Luck?

Presidents Day vs. President’s Day vs. Presidents’ Day: Which One Is It?

What’s the Difference Between Jaguars and Leopards?

Why Do We Say ‘Sweat Like a Pig’?

Did a Cow Really Cause the Great Chicago Fire of 1871?

Wallabies vs. Kangaroos: What’s the Difference?

Does the Full Moon Really Make People Act Strangely?

What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Why Do We Call the Seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter?

What’s the Difference Between Bobcats and Lynx?

Why Does the Super Bowl Use Roman Numerals?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Feeling One’s Oats’ Come From?

What Exactly Is ‘New Car Smell’?

What in Tarnation Is ‘Tarnation’?

Why Did Pirates Wear Eye Patches?

What Are Those Weird White Stripes You See on the Road in Winter?

What’s the Correct Pronunciation of ‘February’?

See How the U.S. Government Transports Its Nuclear Weapons