BIG QUESTIONS

Why Do Cowboys Say “Yee-Haw”?

Even though it’s a classic cowboy trope, you have to wonder: Did cowboys actually say that popular phrase?

What’s the Difference Between a Bull and a Bear Market?

The economic terms get tossed around a lot these days, but one market is clearly better for investors.

Where Does Astronaut Poop End Up?

It burns up in the atmosphere like a fecal shooting star.

White makes a surprising amount of sense for a painter.

Why Do Professional Painters Wear White?

Here’s why the seemingly worst color to use for a messy job is actually the best.

Where Does the Phrase ‘Going to Hell in a Handbasket’ Come From?

A popular myth says that the phrase originated due to the use of the guillotine during French Revolution—but here’s the real deal.

The passenger's side-view mirror serves an important function, too.

Why Are Objects in a Car’s Side-View Mirror Closer Than They Appear?

Learn more about the safety benefits of side-view mirrors while driving, plus why objects are so much closer than they actually seem.

Tomatoes can be either fruit or vegetable, depending on who you talk to.

Is a Tomato a Fruit?

One vendor’s dispute against a 19th-century import tariff led the U.S. Supreme Court to classify the tomato as a vegetable. But botanists disagree.

Passengers aren’t always referred to as passengers.

Why Do We Refer to Airplane and Ship Passengers as ‘Souls’?

Hearing the phrase ‘souls on board’ usually portends bad news. Why do we use it?

Not quite a Brundlefly, but still too close for comfort.

What Happens When a Fly Lands on Your Food?

Learn more about how common house flies eat (and poop), plus what’s really going on when one of them ends up in your dinner.

Why Did Ronald McDonald Disappear?

The McDonald’s mascot has been keeping a low profile for years. Some people think they know why.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a wash routine that‘s best for you.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Find out how factors like age, hair type, and lifestyle influence your ideal shampoo routine.

Why Is the Vlasic Pickles Mascot a Stork?

Vlasic has used a stork to market its pickles for decades. But how did a bird known for bringing babies suddenly start selling pickles?

Can We Have Babies in Space?

If humans ever become a multi-planet species, some would have to spend years in space. And researchers have definitely speculated whether space travel would allow for reproduction.

Damaged mirrors can certainly make one distraught.

Why Do Mirrors Have Black Spots?

Those unsightly black marks even have a name: mirror rot.

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

Fable vs. Folktale vs. Myth: What’s the Difference?

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Why Are Some Towns Called “Bedroom Communities”?

These planned communities became popular in the U.S. after World War II.

How Do Cats Purr?

We know cats purr for a variety of reasons. But the actual mechanics of how they make their signature sound remains unclear.

How Does Duty-Free Work?

Let’s take a look at a few of the rules regarding duties and declarations, and see what's up with the duty-free shop.

The UK is stricter about its bottled water than the U.S., as it were.

Why Can’t You Buy Dasani Bottled Water in the UK?

Dasani bottled water was poised to take the UK market by storm, but shortly after it was released in 2004, Coca-Cola yanked it off shelves. Discover the real reasons why here.