BIG QUESTIONS

Do Politicians Need a Musician's Permission to Play One of Their Songs at a Campaign Event?

Plenty of musicians complain when a political candidate uses their work as part of a campaign event. How did they manage to play it in the first place?

Wax paper is great for keeping your counter space clean (as seen above).

Wax Paper vs. Parchment Paper: What’s the Difference for Cooking?

These two paper goods are a common sight in kitchens, but there's an important—and potentially flammable—distinction to make between them.

A stand at the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

Herb vs. Spice: What’s the Difference?

Simon and Garfunkel sang about herbs, not spices—but that’s not the only difference between the two.

There's no law requiring you to spend every other holiday with your in-laws.

Why Do We Call Our Spouse's Relatives 'In-Laws'?

It all started as a reminder about which relatives the Catholic Church prohibited you from marrying.

Father's Day was invented to honor a single father of six—but it didn't catch on right away.

Who Invented Father’s Day?

Father’s Day started with a loving daughter in 1910, but it wouldn’t become a holiday for more than half a century.

This dog would like to turn off Netflix's autoplay feature.

What Do Pets See When They Watch Television?

Dogs and cats can sometimes seem very intrigued by your latest binge-watch. But are they seeing what we're seeing?

This woman systematically drinks orange juice while her creative juices are flowing.

Systemic vs. Systematic: How to Use Each Word Correctly

Something systemic—like a disease—means it’s present throughout a system. ‘Systematic’ refers to how a system is operated.

Tear Gas vs. Pepper Spray: What’s the Difference?

For one thing, tear gas grenades are usually used for crowd control—pepper spray is more for personal safety.

The Insurrection Act gives the president the authority to address domestic disturbances using the military.

What Is the Insurrection Act?

Introduced in 1807, the Act affords the president the power to intervene in state law enforcement efforts. But debate rages over when it's appropriate to do so.

Graves in potter's fields are sometimes marked with blank headstones or crosses.

Why Are Common Graves Called Potter’s Fields?

After a remorseful Judas returned his payment for betraying Jesus, the high priests used it to buy the very first potter’s field.

3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

Why Did Noon Used to Mean 3 p.m.?

We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.

The phrase 'green thumb' has an interesting history.

Why Are Gardeners Said to Have a ‘Green Thumb’?

If our hands turn into a mess of smeared dirt when gardening, how come we have green thumbs? Why not green fingers?

General Winfield Scott, the original great Scott (probably).

Who’s the 'Scott' in Great Scott?

"Great Scott!" was around long before it became the go-to expression of Doc Brown in ‘Back to the Future.’

Why Are So Many Farmhouses Painted White?

The reasons why whitewashing farmhouses became a popular trend among colonial homeowners, especially those who lived in humid climates, go far beyond aesthetics.

Why Is the White House White?

The White House looks lovely against the lush green lawn, but that’s not why it was originally painted white.

News anchors have mastered the art of being linguistically neutral.

Why Do So Many News Anchors Sound Alike?

No matter where you are in the country, local and national news anchors have the same vocal delivery. There's a good reason why they learn it.

Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a great addition to any herb garden.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What’s the Difference?

They’ll both leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, but one type of mint might do a better job than the other.

Cats can live large thanks to pet trusts.

What Happens When a Pet Is Left Money in a Will?

Mr. Mittens could inherit millions from a generous owner, but it takes some legal planning to make sure jealous humans don't come looking for the dough.

Why Does Hand Sanitizer Have an Expiration Date?

One of the most in-demand household items is now scarce. If you find an old and expired bottle, here's what you should know about its effectiveness.

Sloths have little problem holding still for nature photographers.

Why Are Sloths So Slow?

Sloths can take as long as one minute to move just 12 inches. It seems like a chill existence, until you consider what a glacial pace means for their pooping habits.

Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong left the first footprint on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

Are Any of the Scientific Instruments Left on the Moon By the Apollo Astronauts Still Functional?

The retroreflectors left as part of the Apollo Lunar Ranging Experiment are still fully functional, though their reflective efficiency has diminished over the years.

Hotels often offer a complimentary pastry and fruit breakfast.

What Makes a Hotel Breakfast 'Continental'?

Hotels offer pastries, fruit, and coffee as a guest perk. But what makes it a 'continental' breakfast?

Can Farts Spread Disease?

A couple of long-suffering scientists from Australia donated their time—and their gas—to figuring out whether farts can spread disease.

Why Do We Call the NCAA Basketball Tournament 'March Madness'?

The story of March Madness has everything: Chaucer, sex-crazed hares, Alice in Wonderland, lawsuits, and a basketball coach-turned-poet from Illinois.

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