

Matt Soniak
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Matt writes about science, history, etymology and Bruce Springsteen for both the website and the print magazine. His work has also appeared in print and online for Men’s Health, Scientific American, The Atlantic, Philly.com and others. He tweets as @mattsoniak and blogs about animal behavior at mattsoniak.com. He lives in Philadelphia with his girlfriend, two cats and a large collection of bourbon whiskeys.


Does the ‘Hand in Warm Water’ Trick Really Make People Pee in Their Sleep?

When Did Americans Lose Their British Accents?

What's the Difference Between Ketchup and Catsup?
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.
Anglerfish Mating Is Horrific—and Here’s How It Works
If you thought modern-day dating was rough, just wait until you find out how these deep-sea dwellers get it on.
What Came First: The Color Orange or the Fruit?
The story behind which orange came first involves Arab trade routes and a bunch of old phrases that mean 'orange apple.'
Why Are Flea Markets Called That?
It’s another in a long line of etymologies that doesn’t have one clear-cut answer, but a few plausible (and interesting) possible explanations.
What Does “SOS” Stand For?
You know it's a distress signal, but what does it actually stand for? A lot of people think it's an abbreviation for “save our souls.” (It's not.)
Why Can't Some People See Magic Eye Pictures?
Magic Eye pictures have been called “the world’s most famous—and infamously frustrating—optical illusion.” Here’s what might be going on if you can’t see them.
What Happens to the Losing Team’s Pre-Printed Championship Shirts?
For each year’s Super Bowl showdown, manufacturers and retailers will produce and stock two sets of T-shirts, hats, and other merchandise that declares each team the champ. So who gets the losing team’s stuff?
Why Some Civil War Soldiers Glowed in the Dark
They called it “Angel’s Glow.”
Why Do We Have Eyebrows?
Eyebrows are the Swiss Army knife of the human face.
When Corn Flakes Were Part of an Anti-Masturbation Crusade
In the 18th and 19th centuries, much of the world worked itself into a tizzy over the idea of people touching themselves.
Why Do We Yawn? Science Has Some Theories
The short answer is that no one really knows why we yawn. But people have theories.
How Are Hurricane Categories Determined?
In order to assign a numeric category value to a hurricane, meteorologists look to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.