BIG QUESTIONS

What Makes #2 Pencils So Special?

... and your other burning, pencil-related questions answered.

Why is New York City Called The Big Apple?

The City That Never Sleeps has lots of nicknames, but this one might be the most ubiquitous.

How Do You Get an Invite to the Royal Wedding?

Getting on the guest list for any royal affair is no easy feat, but this list is even more exclusive than most.

If Earth is Always Moving, Then How Do We See the Same Constellations Every Night?

6700 mph is nothing in cosmological speeds and distances.

Does a Royal Need the Queen’s Permission to Get Married?

There would be no royal wedding this month without an important statement from Queen Elizabeth.

Do Big Cats Love Catnip, Too?

You bet they do!

Do Fire Stations Ever Catch Fire?

Of course, the answer is of course.

Why Do Optometrists Blow Puffs of Air Into Your Eye?

Even more importantly: Is it really necessary?

How Do Astronauts Reenter Earth's Atmosphere Without Burning Up?

Fortunately, NASA likes to plan ahead.

How Do Eyes Get Their Color?

It's not exactly thanks to Mom and Dad.

Where Did the Myth That Radiation Glows Green Come From?

Probably from radium.

How Are Royal Babies Named?

If they're keeping with tradition, Will and Kate have a limited pool of monikers from which to choose.

Why Is a Pineapple Called a Pineapple?

To figure it out, we have to go back and look at how Europeans first encountered the fruit in question.

Why Do They Build Oil Rigs in the Middle of the Ocean?

We put the rigs where the oil is!

How Can Live PD Show Suspects' Faces Without Consent?

People stopped by police on the popular A&E program often say they don't consent to be filmed. So how does the show find a way to do it?

Do Media Outlets Write Obituaries for Old or Ill Celebrities in Advance?

In a word: absolutely—though not just the old or ill.

Why Is the Drinking Age 21?

Ronald Reagan had something to do with it. FDR, too.

What's the Difference Between a Church, a Cathedral, and a Basilica?

It's complicated.

Why Do College Basketball Teams Cut Down the Nets?

North Carolina State coach Everett Case didn’t realize he was starting a trend in 1947. He just wanted a souvenir.

Sir Francis Chichester is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1967.

How Does One Become A Knight?

Here are the answers to some of your most pressing knighthood-related questions.

Why Do Onions Make You Cry?

Many of us burst into tears when we cut into one, too. It's the price we pay for onion-y goodness. So why and how can we make it stop?

What is the Riot Act, and Why Don't I Want It Read to Me?

In the 1700s, unlawful assemblies were forced to listen as the Riot Act was read aloud. If they didn't disperse, the punishment was—quite reasonably—death.

Why Do Radio Stations Begin With 'K' or 'W'?

Bureaucracy works in mysterious ways.

What Is ‘gh’ Doing in So Many English Words?

Once upon a time, the "gh" did stand for a specific sound—one we don’t have in English today.

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