BIG QUESTIONS

Spots on eggs are a common--and usually harmless--occurrence.

Why Do Eggshells Sometimes Have Weird Bumps and Spots?

Despite rigorous quality control, eggs can sometimes arrive in stores with strange bumps or discolorations. Here's how to tell when it's cause for concern.

An image of the March equinox taken by the GOES-13 satellite in 2013.

Solstice vs. Equinox: What’s the Difference?

‘Vernal equinox’ isn’t just the technical term for the first day of spring, and 'summer solstice’ means something beyond ‘first day of summer.’

The Smart Reason There Are Black Lines on Basketballs

Those black lines do more than give a basketball its distinctive look—they actually make the sport easier to play.

Can Bird Poop Damage Cars?

Bird droppings on cars are not only unsightly, they're actually little chemical attacks that can seriously damage the paint finish.

He's a little lukewarm about baths in general.

How Warm Is Lukewarm?

If you’re talking yeast activation or baby bath temperatures, ‘lukewarm’ might be more specific than “not hot or cold.”

Is It Possible to Burp and Fart at the Same Time?

Some call it a 'furp,' or the passing of air and gas from both ends simultaneously. Can it happen, or has nature forbidden it?

Naming a cat "Whiskers" is like naming a baby "Fingertips."

Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

Apart from being the feline equivalent of a fancy mustache, what are cat whiskers for? As it turns out, multiple things.

Why Do We Say 'Cut to the Chase'?

“Cut to the chase” is a slightly friendlier way of telling someone to get to the point, but old Hollywood filmmakers meant it literally.

Why Are Bathtubs So Small? The Answer Is More Complex Than You Might Imagine

If you're a human of average size, taking a bath isn't always as relaxing as it sounds—especially when your legs are sticking halfway out of the water. The problem? Bathtubs are too small. But why?

Sympathy vs. Empathy: What’s the Difference?

Empathy’s definition originally described the relationship between humans and objects. Now, it’s much less straightforward.

Can Honey Go Bad?

Honey can spend years in a pantry without spoiling because bees are very diligent when it comes to food safety.

Rock salt can damage concrete driveways.

The Reason You Should Never Spread Rock Salt on Concrete Driveways

Millions of people treat slippery surfaces with rock salt, but it can wind up doing your driveway a lot more harm than good.

If they're not sitting at a desk all day, they might be a blue-collar worker.

Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs: What’s the Difference?

White collar jobs are purportedly better paying and more respectable than blue collar jobs—here’s how that came to be.

JLGutierrez/iStock via Getty Images Plus

What's the Difference Between Copyright, Trademark, and Patents?

When you have a great idea, do you copyright, trademark, or patent it? Well, it all depends on what kind of idea it is.

As potholes go, this one is pretty photogenic.

How Do Potholes Form?

Potholes are the bane of drivers everywhere. Unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent them from forming.

What Exactly Is White Noise?

Your favorite ASMR playlist probably isn’t true white noise—or brown noise or pink noise, for that matter.

A medical professional does the vaccination; your body does the immunization.

Vaccination vs. Immunization vs. Inoculation: What's the Difference?

If we’re being pedantic here (and we are), ‘vaccination’ and ‘immunization’ shouldn't be used interchangeably.

Screaming out "gimme!" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Why Do Quarterbacks Say 'Hut'?

American football is home to a lot of nonsensical terminology, but 'hut' has a fairly clear origin.

Are You Legally Required to Shovel Your Sidewalk?

Even if the sidewalk outside your home isn't your property, you still may have to shovel it after a snowstorm.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), NOAA

What Exactly Is a Nor’easter?

Nor’easters have earned their reputation for wreaking havoc on land. But what qualifies a storm as a nor’easter?

This man does not appear to be occupying a wagon.

Where Did the Phrase 'Fall Off the Wagon' Originate?

'Fall off the wagon,' which is typically used to describe someone who has begun drinking alcohol after a period of abstinence, does not actually involve anyone tumbling off a horse-drawn carriage.

What's the Difference Between Buzzards and Vultures?

If you call a buzzard a vulture in the UK, be prepared to get some strange looks. There is a difference between the two birds of prey.

Miranda is an important character in Shakespeare's The Tempest, but she's not the titular role.

Titular vs. Eponymous: What’s the Difference?

The definition of ‘eponymous’ has changed over time, and ‘titular’ has more than one. Here’s how to use each word correctly.

Why Does Our Hair Grow Darker as We Get Older?

You can chalk it up to hormone changes, but your genes aren’t so innocent when it comes to hair color.

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