Big Questions Answered, How and Why

There's a multitude of pencil types out there.

Almost every syllabus, teacher, and standardized test requires a No. 2 pencil. Are there other choices out there?

Where does this literary device come from, and why is it named after a fish?

The figurative phrase is more than 200 years old, but the obscure etymology of a 'red herring' is a fishy story that is itself a red herring.

Unpacking the reason hyperlinks are blue requires dipping into early internet history.

Ever wonder what your dog finds so tasty about grass?

A dog that eats grass frantically may be trying to vomit—but the behavior doesn't automatically warrant a trip to the vet.

And how does a range fit into all this?

The baton has been a law enforcement tool for close to two centuries. But did anyone named Billy actually have anything to do with it?

Speeders on targeted stretches of road are monitored from the ground and from the sky.

If your dog follows everywhere you go, don’t be too worried about it. The behavior indicates they see you in a positive light.

Stick to listening to your pre-downloaded podcasts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bars the use of all transmitting devices in the off chance that transmissions could interfere with a plane’s navigation and communications equipment and cause system malfunctions.

The differences between garden soil and potting soil shouldn’t be ignored.

Know the difference between the bubble waters.

They all sparkle. They all bubble. And they’re all water. But they're not interchangeable.

Cats do fart—but their flatulence is usually quiet. Veterinarians explain why.

Pranksters claim putting someone’s hand in warm water while they sleep will make them wet the bed. Does this actually work?

This little symbol has a fascinating history.

From what an ampersand symbol is to where it came from, here's what you need to know about this little symbol's surprisingly long history.

There's a good reason you don't see baby pigeons.

To city dwellers, it might seem that pigeons multiply magically: All the birds swooping down at us, or scurrying out of the way when we walk, are fully grown. How come we never see baby pigeons anywhere?