BIG QUESTIONS

Napoleon in His Study, Jacques-Louis David

Why was Napoleon Usually Painted with A Hand in His Coat?

No, he didn’t have heartburn or an unsightly hangnail. Just like low-slung jeans and pet rocks, posing with one hand hidden was a fad, and was considered a symbol of good breeding.

What If You Survive the Apocalypse and Only Have One Pair of Contacts?

Our biggest fear.

Crossing your fingers for luck has a long history.

Why Do We Cross Our Fingers For Good Luck?

Why do we cross our fingers when we’re hoping for a lucky break? Dig into the theories and symbolism behind this age-old gesture.

Why Does Inhaling Helium Make Your Voice Sound Funny?

Helium's atomic number is 2 and its atomic weight is 4.002602. Its boiling and melting points— -452.1°F and -458.0°F, respectively—are the lowest among the elements. It is the second most abundant element in the known universe (after hydrogen). And it mak

Can Dogs Understand Human Emotions?

Whenever I cry, my beagle, Sadie, jumps into my lap and nudges me with her nose. Is Sadie’s intuitiveness unique, or can dogs really understand human emotions?

What’s the Point of Decorative Patterns on Mattresses?

When you get home, you cover those fancy patterns up with a sheet. But those graphics are there to catch your eye in the showroom, not at home. The mattress business is extremely competitive and very confusing for the average consumer.

Why is Delaware's Mascot a Fighting Blue Hen?

The image of a hen, fighting or otherwise, is not really evocative of strength, or intimidation, or any other attributes sports teams aspire to embody.

Do Flies Really Have 24-Hour Lifespans?

“I’ve only got 24 hours of living, and I ain’t gonna waste ‘em here!” groans a disgruntled housefly during a hilarious scene in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. But do those pesky insects really brandish a day-long life expectancy?

Do Cows Moo in Different Accents?

Reader Erica emailed to say, “I heard on Twitter, from one of those 'amazing facts' accounts, that cows moo in regional accents. Is that true?”

Why Is Pee Yellow?

Let’s part the underpants-shaped veil surrounding urination information. Let’s learn about peeing.

Which Came First: Airplanes or Paper Airplanes?

Sean Hutchinson answers today's Big Question.

What's the Difference Between Antlers and Horns?

Why Do We Call Parrots "Polly"?

The generic name “Pol” for a parrot can be traced back to England since at least the early 1600s. In his 1606 comedy Volpone, Renaissance playwright—and close friend of William Shakespeare—Ben Jonson assigned many of the characters animal personas which r

What’s the Oldest Trick in the Book?

Magicians have been practicing their craft for ages, but what’s the first magic trick that was recorded for posterity?

Why Were the Oscars Created?

"I found that the best way to handle [filmmakers] was to hang medals all over them."

Why Are There Two Dakotas and Two Carolinas?

It’s possible you’ve heard of North and South Dakota. You may have also heard about North and South Carolina. If so, then you already know that these states are strong, independent honeys makin’ money.

Why Are Some Letters Missing From NYC Subways?

The explanation for the missing letters falls (mostly) into two categories.

What New Sports Will Debut at the Next Olympics?

We might be two and four years away from the next set of Olympic Games, but the process to add new events is well underway.

Did the Pentagon Really Ban Furbys?

Furbys were all the rage in the late nineties—1998 alone saw the sale of a whopping 27 million units—and remain popular to this day. But did you know that they’ve actually been cited as a national security threat?

Are Humans Still Getting Taller?

You've probably noticed, either from museum exhibits or visits to colonial houses, that humans these days are generally taller than we used to be.

What’s the Difference Between a Stalactite and a Stalagmite?

Well-meaning geologists ended up confusing plenty of folks when they named stalactites and stalagmites. Both of these similar-sounding structures—typically formed in limestone caves—are capable of stretching over 27 feet in length. But what's the differen

Why Do Speed Skaters Use Such Weird Ice Skates?

If you watch the speed skaters during this year’s Winter Olympics, you’ll certainly notice something strange about the footwear they’re sporting. With a hinged blade that moves independently from the boot, modern speed skates look nothing like hockey or f

How Does A Honeybee Colony Think?

As any kid with a mason jar can tell you, the honeybee isn't the smartest animal on the planet. But oddly enough, a honeybee colony is actually pretty intelligent. How does the group make decisions when the individuals can't?

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