BIG QUESTIONS

Squid vs. Cuttlefish: What’s the Difference?

The sophisticated cephalopods have highly evolved vision and can use jet propulsion to escape predators, but there are a few key differences between squid and cuttlefish.

A few yards of clear air means the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud.

Tornado vs. Funnel Cloud: What's the Difference?

People often confuse funnel clouds with tornadoes, but they're not the same. Learn how to tell the two apart.

Great Britain's Kieran Bird at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why Do Olympic Swimmers Slap Themselves?

It's to get the blood flowing—or is it?

An Olympic swimmer sports circular bruises from cupping therapy.

Why Are Some Olympic Swimmers Covered In Dark Circles?

In events where success or failure can be measured in tiny increments, it’s not surprising athletes will turn to any potential advantage. But does cupping actually work?

Why Do We Say “Pony Up” When We Want Money?

The idiom for demanding payment doesn’t quite have the equine origins one would think.

Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris.

What Do the Olympic Rings Mean?

Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, intended the rings to represent nations “united by Olympism.”

Whitewater rafters carry the Olympic torch on its way to Paris.

How Is the Olympic Flame Lit—and How Does It Stay Lit?

This year, the Olympic torch made a symbolic journey from Greece to Paris for the Summer Games.

Why Won’t Team USA Dip the Flag at the Olympics Opening Ceremonies?

America is the only country that refuses to do so.

Why Do Grooms Break a Glass at Jewish Weddings?

There’s a lot of cultural and religious significance attached to this enduring Jewish wedding tradition. Plus, it’s just plain fun.

Impress your crafty friends by actually knowing how their sewing equipment works.

What's the Purpose of the Little Strawberry Attached to Pincushions?

The fabric strawberry is more than just a cute accessory to an already cute accessory. It also serves as an important tool.

Everyone here is someone's late someone.

Why Does ‘Late’ Mean “Dead”?

There’s a historical reason, but there may be a social one as well.

Who Was General Tso, and What Does He Have to Do with Chicken?

The most popular Chinese takeout dish in the U.S. is a sweet, spicy, saucy chicken entree named after a famous Hunanese general who actually preferred pork.

This American icon has become a rare sight.

Why Are Convertible Cars Disappearing From American Roads?

Consumer tastes have shifted over the past 20 years.

You ‘aught’ to know the answer of this question.

Why Do We Call the 2000s “the Aughts”?

Suggestions for what to call the period of time from 2000–2009 ranged from ‘the nillies’ and ‘the oh-ohs’ to ‘the double zeroes’ and ‘the noughties.’ So how’d we land on ‘the aughts’?

He's spreading one helluva message, alright.

Why Do Dogs Lift Their Leg to Pee?

Some dogs lift their leg to pee as a way of marking their territory. But they also do it as a way of letting other dogs know they're the baddest canine in town.