BIG QUESTIONS

Taco Bell's Nacho Fries often pull a disappearing act.

Why Does Taco Bell Keep Taking Nacho Fries Off Its Menu?

When it comes to making their wildly popular Nacho Fries widely available, Taco Bell is nacho friend.

ZIP codes hold the answer to getting you your junk mail as quickly as possible.

Why Do We Use ZIP Codes?

The five- to nine-digit code that gets letters to their destinations started with a man who would become known as "Mr. Zip."

Why Does My Cat Sit in Sunny Spots?

Cats never look more majestic than when they're sunbathing, but there's a practical reason for this behavior.

Why Do Dogs Spin Around Before They Poop?

Dogs have a tendency to preface their bowel movements with a bit of rotating before getting down to business. Is there evolution behind their revolution?

Unclear whether this is a memoir or an autobiography.

What’s the Difference Between a Memoir and an Autobiography?

What’s an autobiography? The story of someone’s life as told by them—which isn’t exactly the same thing as a memoir.

What's the Difference Between White Cheese and Yellow Cheese?

Cheesemakers have been adding yellow and orange food dye to their cheese products since the 17th century.

Kissing is a New Year's Eve tradition. But...why?

Why Do People Kiss at Midnight on New Year's Eve?

End-of-year smooching has roots in the parties of ancient Rome, but Thomas Edison had a part to play, too.

New Year's countdowns are everywhere, but they haven't been around long.

Why Do We Count Down to the New Year?

The ritual of marking time until the new year hits is a relatively recent phenomenon. It also has a lot to do with NASA.

How Long Does a Bottle of Wine Generally Last Once It's Opened?

It's true that wine starts to oxidize the moment you uncork it, but that's no reason to pour the leftovers down the drain.

Queen Elizabeth II doesn't consider this a stack of flapjacks.

What’s the Difference Between a Flapjack and a Pancake?

What is a flapjack? If you’re in England, it’s not a fluffy round cake made from batter and fried in a pan.

Why Is It Considered Good Luck to Eat Black-Eyed Peas on New Year's Day?

The humble black-eyed pea has become a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Southern New Year's traditions.

Why Is It Called a 'Semi Truck'?

The names ‘18-wheeler,’ ‘big rig,’ and ‘tractor-trailer’ aptly convey the size and scope of the vehicle. ‘Semi’ seems a little misleading. What gives?

Why Do Semi Trucks Have Spikes On Their Wheels?

Semi trucks’ tire spikes mainly protect the wheels’ lug nuts. They also offer drivers a chance to give their trucks a bit of personality.

Are Zebras Black With White Stripes or White With Black Stripes?

What color are a zebra's stripes? Though it may sound like a philosophical query, it is possible to answer this question with science.

Turkey is good enough for your holiday dinner, but the eggs are a bit too pricey for your omelet.

Why Don't We Eat Turkey Eggs?

Turkey eggs are perfectly edible, but you definitely won't find them at your local grocery store. Here's why.

Why Do We Say 'Have a Chip on Your Shoulder'?

What does ‘chip on your shoulder’ mean? These days, nothing literal. But actual chips and shoulders used to be involved.

Queen Victoria visits the HMS Resolute, a British naval ship used for Arctic exploration, in December 1856.

When Exactly Was the Victorian Era?

The Victorian era brought changes that reached far beyond England’s borders. In fact, England’s borders also reached far beyond what we now know as England’s borders.

Why Do Car Rides Make You Feel Tired?

You're excited to set out on a road trip. By hour two, you're nodding off. The answer may have something to do with "highway hypnosis."

Good thing Napster's Sean Parker wasn't around to tell Bronx officials to drop the the.

Why Is It Called “The Bronx” Instead of Just “Bronx”?

The Bronx’s appellative history began with Jonas Bronck, an intrepid Swedish settler who didn't even live there for that long.

Not all dogs drool, but when they do, bring a towel.

Why Do Dogs Drool?

Dogs have a tendency to soak furniture and shirt sleeves in their saliva. In humans, this would be cause for concern. So why do dogs do it?

Sunny D Isn't Orange Juice—Here's What It Really Is

The drink may be orange and it may be juice-like, but Sunny D isn't orange juice. After reading the ingredients list, you might never drink it with breakfast again.

Jealousy vs. Envy: What’s the Difference?

The difference between jealousy and envy comes down to what’s motivating your feelings—but there’s often overlap.

Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's (green) Monster in James Whale's Frankenstein (1931).

Why Is Frankenstein’s Monster Green?

In the more than 200 years since Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' helped shape the horror genre as we know it today, there have been dozens of interpretations of Frankenstein’s Monster. But when and why did he become green?

Bobbing along on the bottom of the beautiful briny sea is often easier said than done.

Just How Deep Is the Ocean? Watch and See

MetaBallStudios is helping you visualize ocean depths and other underwater spots, from the ‘Titanic’ shipwreck to the Mariana Trench.

PREV NEXT