BIG QUESTIONS

Why Do People Drink Mint Juleps at the Kentucky Derby?

How the bourbon-mint concoction took the horse-racing world by storm.

Wolves vs. Coyotes: What’s the Difference?

Coyotes can sometimes look like wolves from a distance—but there are some key differences between the two species.

Your gut's microbiome can influence everything from digestion to immune health.

Prebiotic vs. Probiotic: What’s the Difference?

Supplements that promise to restore your gut health are everywhere. But not everyone can stomach them.

Why Do Some Songs Fade Out at the End?

Taylor Swift is just the latest in a long line of musicians who like to employ a “fade-out,” where the song gets gradually quieter in the closing seconds.

‘Burned’ vs. ‘Burnt’: What’s the Difference?

‘Burnt’ and ‘burned’ are both acceptable, but they serve different purposes (at least, they do in American English).

What Is Ed Balls Day?

A simple mistake on social media has turned into an internet event celebrated around the world for more than a decade.

Wetness is a battle between cohesive and adhesive forces.

Is Water Wet? The Answer is Surprisingly Elusive

It depends on the properties of water, the definition of wetness, and whether you can trust when your senses inform you if something is wet or not.

Labrador vs. Golden Retriever: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to telling the differences between yellow labradors vs. golden retrievers, it comes down to coat length and colors, body type, and few other key factors.

Why Do Some People Sneeze So Darn Loudly?

Personality and anatomy play a role in determining sneeze volume.

According to some depictions of her, Mother Goose isn't even a bird.

Who Even Is Mother Goose?

Many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. But was Mother Goose even a real person?

'Flash in the pan' doesn't mean a literal fire in a pan. But good guess.

Why Do We Call Something a “Flash in the Pan”?

The phrase used to describe a has-been reality star or trend originated on the battlefield.

Red vs. Gray Fox: What's the Difference?

Here's how to identify red and gray foxes, plus some helpful information about where the foxes live and what they eat.

Is Mercury retrograde really the reason you computer crashed? Here's what an expert has to say about it.

What Is Mercury in Retrograde, and Why Do We Blame Things on It?

Mercury retrograde will make the planet appear to move backwards. No, that doesn’t mean your electronics or your relationships will fail.

What the @%$!! is the oldest known curse word?

What‘s the Oldest Curse Word in English?

The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.

Why Does Weed Make You Hungry?

Marijuana really does give you the munchies—here's the science behind why.

Why Do Kids Eat Their Boogers?

Catching a kid picking their nose isn’t too unusual, but have you ever wondered what makes them want to actually eat their boogers? Discover more about the science behind mucophagy and its enduring appeal to youngsters.

'Organic' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy.'

What Does 'Organic' Mean?

To be certified as organic, farmers can’t use prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones for three full years before applying. Further, any animals they have must be raised on organic foods.

Don't let this sweet face fool you: Arctic foxes eat anything that moves.

What Do Arctic Foxes Eat?

Adorable Arctic foxes will eat anything they can catch on the snowy tundra.

Why Is It So Common to See Just One Shoe, Not Two, On the Side of the Road?

You may not have given it much thought in the past, but you've most definitely seen a single shoe hanging around the side of the road. How did it get there?