BIG QUESTIONS

Why Do We Bite Our Nails?

It doesn't always mean you're anxious.

At What Point is a Human Considered Officially Dead?

You can be pronounced or declared dead, but only a few people can do the former.

Why Do Orchestras Tune to an A Note?

Before the 20th century, concert musicians might tune their instruments to wildly different pitches, depending on where they were playing.

Why Do Astronauts Use Space Pens Instead of Pencils?

One technological breakthrough left the common pencil in the dust.

Can Wild Animals Really 'Sense' Fear in Other Animals?

It's not a sixth sense kind of thing.

How Does Blood Pressure Work?

Your doctor may tell you that your BP is “120 over 80.” You may very well not know what that means.

What's Really Inside a Hot Dog?

You've probably wondered what's really inside a hot dog before. We have the answer—though we don't recommend reading it before your next cook-out.

How Do Fireworks Actually Work?

Most of us just know to light the fuse and stand back.

How Does a Pool Table Recognize the Cue Ball?

There's a lot going on under the felt.

Why Do Americans Call It ‘Soccer’ Instead of ‘Football’?

It may rankle purists, but American English isn’t the culprit.

How Did Ancient Medics Determine the Medicinal Properties of Substances?

At the dawn of the age of scientific medicine, there were only a handful of remedies that we would recognize today as safe and effective.

Do 'Close Door' Buttons in Elevators Actually Do Anything?

Everything you know is a lie.

What Do Morticians Do With the Blood They Take Out of Dead Bodies?

The answer is more simple, and less morbid, than you probably think.

Why Did Russia Sell Alaska to the United States of America?

The decision to purchase the territory was much derided at the time.

Is There Any Point in Letting Red Wine Breathe?

At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is wait 30 minutes to pour a fresh glass of wine.

Is There Any Point in Letting Red Wine Breathe?

At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is wait 30 minutes to pour a fresh glass of wine.

Why Do We Call Some People 'Type A'?

You can thank two Californian cardiologists from the 1950s.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Crapo, NOAA Corps, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Which is the Largest National Park in the World?

The answer's not as straightforward as you might expect.

Why Do Dogs Crouch Forward When They’re Playing?

Here's what the "play bow" really means.

Why Do Fire Stations Still Use Sirens?

And why do they have to be so loud?

Do Pilots See Anything During a Night Flight?

A lot, it turns out.

Why Is the American Flag Displayed Backwards on Military Uniforms?

According to the U.S. Flag Code, you shouldn’t let the flag touch the ground or hang it upside-down. While there’s no express prohibition about reversing the image, it’s probably a safe bet you shouldn’t do that, either.

What Causes Sinkholes?

Why the ground sometimes just opens up.

How Are Speed Limits Set?

Don't blame the government if you're unhappy with a speed limit—blame your fellow drivers.

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