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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.
the mag|Apr 17, 2024

21 Words Created by Shakespeare (And 4 That Weren’t)

Shakespeare is the first known citation for over a thousand words and even more meanings—but new research occasionally shows that Shakespeare actually didn't originate some phrases, a trend that will likely continue over time.
Roma Panganiban, Austin Thompson|Apr 16, 2024

How Much Horsepower Does a Horse Have?

If you thought the answer was "one," we were right there with you. But we'd both be wrong.
Jake Rossen|Aug 11, 2022

Why Do We Tell People to Take Something “With a Grain of Salt”?

‘Take it with a grain of salt’ all (probably) started with Pliny the Elder, but he was talking about literal poison.
Ellen Gutoskey|Apr 12, 2024

What Legal Authority Does Judge Judy Have?

While Judith Sheindlin was once a real, live judge, she’s not acting as one on her show.
Matt Soniak|Apr 17, 2023

How One Grieving Father Got Lawn Darts Banned

Lawn darts were banned in 1988, but not before seriously injuring many children and killing at least one.
Matt Soniak|Oct 24, 2023

11 Facts About the Astor Family

For more than a century, the Astors were the richest family in America, and their shrewd marriages linked them to some of the most politically powerful families.
Samantha Arrowsmith|Jul 11, 2022

11 Facts About the Animals of Chernobyl

Researchers thought the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster was unable to support life. But a bunch of wolves, deer, wild boars, bears, and foxes disagreed.
Claudia Dimuro, Jon Mayer|Jun 7, 2023

Adam Rainer, The Little Person Who Became a Literal Giant

Under 5 feet tall as an adult, Adam Rainer had the growth spurt to end all growth spurts.
Jake Rossen|Apr 14, 2023

How Many Rings Does Saturn Have?

It’s hard to know exactly, but suffice it to say, a lot.
Shaunacy Ferro|Jul 21, 2017

Why Do We Call It a ‘Cottage Industry’?

The term is often applied to everything from Etsy shops to trendy businesses. But what does ‘cottage industry’ really mean?
Jake Rossen|Mar 14, 2024

How to Use Worse vs. Worst Correctly in 6 Common Phrases

What's the 'worse' or 'worst' that could happen if you use the wrong form of this commonly used word? Here's what to know.
Ellen Gutoskey|Mar 4, 2022

Where Did the Phrase "Goody Two-Shoes" Come From?

“Goody Two-Shoes” was a real person—or at least, a real fictional character. It was the nickname of the title character in a nursery tale called "The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes," published anonymously around 1765 by John Newbery.
Bess Lovejoy|Sep 15, 2015

A Brief History of JNCO Jeans

When were JNCO jeans popular and how did they come to be? Discover more about the history of these ultra wide-legged pants and why they were created in the first place.
Jake Rossen|Feb 12, 2024

How the 5 Fingers Got Their Names

You use your hands every day to do thousands of things, but have you ever wondered why you refer to your fingers by names like 'thumb' and 'pinky'?
Andrew LaSane|Jan 6, 2023

What’s the Difference Between Bobcats and Lynx?

Both cats live in North America. Here's how to tell the difference between the two wild felines.
Lorna Wallace|Feb 22, 2024

10 Hefty Facts About Moose

Explore some big facts about moose, from their antler combat to the mystery behind their declining populations.
Rebecca OConnell|Jan 25, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About Generation Alpha—The Children of Millennials

Generation Alpha—the children of Millennials and the kid siblings of Generation Z—was born the same year the iPad was released.
Michele Debczak|Jan 2, 2024

Where Did the Term ‘Up to Snuff’ Originate?

Are you not up to snuff when it comes to knowing the origin of ‘up to snuff’? We can help you with that.
Ellen Gutoskey|Sep 25, 2023

The Science Behind Why People Hate the Word ‘Moist’

You may think you detest the word ‘moist’ because of the way it sounds, but research indicates that that’s not the full story.
Shaunacy Ferro|Jun 26, 2023
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