BIG QUESTIONS

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.

Height isn't the only difference between horses and ponies.

What's the Difference Between Horses and Ponies?

Knowing your equines is no mere horseplay. Here's how to tell the difference between horses, ponies, and even miniature horses.

Why Are Hardcover Books Published Before Paperbacks?

Paperbacks are more popular with readers, but they're rarely the first version of a book that gets published.

Looks like these stickers were handed out at a primary, not a caucus.

What’s the Difference Between a Primary and a Caucus?

Primary elections help us decide which presidential candidates will compete in the general election, but the processes vary by state.

Why Are Shower Doors in Hotel Rooms Getting Smaller?

In lieu of hanging shower curtains or providing full shower doors, many newer hotels are opting for glass panels that cover only half the length of the shower. Why?

Pressing this crosswalk button may or may not do something.

Does Pushing the Button at a Crosswalk Actually Do Anything?

No need to jaywalk—your crosswalk signal will appear eventually. But it might not be because you pressed the button.

Why Are CVS Receipts So Incredibly Long?

The transaction receipt printed off by the chain pharmacy CVS can exceed the height of an adult. What are they thinking?

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek chats with the show's contestants.

What Happens During a Jeopardy! Commercial Break?

While 'Jeopardy!' fans are at home wishing the commercial break was over so they can get back to the trivia action, the contestants are preparing for the next stage of the game.

Bychykhin_Olexandr/iStock via Getty Images

Why Is There a Leap Day?

Happy leap year! You can thank Julius Caesar and his buddies for bringing them to Europe more than 2000 years ago.

Why Do We Give Chocolate For Valentine’s Day?

Chocolates have become the default Valentine’s Day gift, but the treat didn't earn its romantic reputation overnight.

Where Do Churches Get the Ashes for Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday's surprisingly eco-friendly ash stash comes from another Christian observance known as Palm Sunday.

Why the Iowa Caucus Comes First

The Iowa caucus doesn’t always predict the presidential nominee, but it’s been an important part of the process since the 1970s.

How Much Damage Does Marine One Cause to the White House Lawn When It Lands?

You might be surprised to learn that a few bent blades of grass are about the only damage that occurs when Marine One takes off and lands at the White House. But your ego could get bruised if you don't hold onto your hat—or any other garment that could go

What's the Difference Between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor?

The two real estate professionals are often confused for one another, but there are some significant differences that prospective homebuyers should know about.

Has An Element Ever Been Removed From the Periodic Table?

The short answer is: yes, elements have been removed from the periodic table. The longer answer is that what constitutes an 'element' can be complicated.

Can You Ever Truly Lose Your Accent?

If you're an adult, the accent you use to speak now is likely the accent you'll have for the rest of your life.

Inventor Elijah McCoy is may or may not be "The Real McCoy."

Who Is 'The Real McCoy'?

The popularity of the surname McCoy makes it difficult to pinpoint one origin on the phrase, but here are the leading theories.

Why Can You Sometimes See Your Breath?

Seeing your breath isn't a cold weather phenomenon. It can also be visible when it's as warm as 60°F outside!

When Does a New Decade Actually Begin?

Nobody can seem to agree on whether the new decade began on January 1, 2020, or if it actually begins on January 1, 2021.

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