BIG QUESTIONS

Gourds (left) and squash (right) are similar, but one shouldn’t be eaten.

Gourd vs. Squash: What’s the Difference?

Matters become more confusing when you add pumpkins to the mix.

If you ever freeze after hearing something go ‘bump’ in the night, you’re not alone.

Why Do We Freeze When We’re Scared?

You’ve likely heard of fight or flight, but a third reaction—to freeze—is misunderstood by many.

Does a Realtor Have to Disclose That a House Is Supposedly Haunted?

The answer depends on where you hope to live.

They may look weird, but they are perfectly fine to eat.

Why Do Some Pumpkins Have Warts?

Some gourds are bred to have a bumpy appearance.

A face no one with coulrophobia wants to see.

Why Are We So Scared of Clowns?

Clowns have a long and spooky history.

Linguine vs. Fettuccine vs. Spaghetti: What’s the Difference?

The three types of pasta are all long, but when and how you use them will make all the difference for your meals.

What’s the Origin of the Jack-O’-Lantern?

The first jack-o'-lanterns were made with turnips, not pumpkins.

Old age may precede dying, but it doesn’t directly cause it.

Do People Really Die of ‘Old Age’?

Can an octogenarian really just collapse from the wear and tear of life?

The crescent wrench has helped DIYers for decades.

Why Is It Called a “Crescent Wrench”?

A Swedish immigrant changed the face of wrenches forever.

Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell Funny?

Not everyone experiences funny-smelling urine after eating asparagus, but it's common enough that it poses one very big question: why does it happen in the first place?

Why Do Cats Knock Things Over?

According to experts, this behavior has a few explanations, but being a bully probably isn’t one of them. We also offer a few solutions for how to stop cats from knocking things over.

Stainless steel is rust-resistant, but not quite rust-proof.

What Stops Stainless Steel From Rusting?

Stainless steel has a secret ingredient that makes it highly resistant to rust.

These days, we use ‘GOP’ to refer to Republicans—but that wasn’t always the case.

What Does ‘GOP’ Stand For?

What ‘GOP’ means isn’t complicated—but its history is.

Like all great things, this classic snack doesn't last forever.

Does Popcorn Ever Go Bad?

Discover whether or not popcorn expires, plus how long you can keep that bag you took home from the movie theater before it’s time to toss it out.

He wants you to learn about the symbol’s history.

Who Was Uncle Sam, and Why Did He ‘Want’ You?

Uncle Sam is an easily recognizable piece of wartime propaganda. And legend says he was based off a real person—though that may not actually be the case.

Legionella in a Petri dish under UV light.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

The unusual respiratory illness was named for a 1976 outbreak among attendees of an American Legion conference.

Why Do We Laugh When We’re Scared?

Laughter is a surprisingly common reaction to being scared out of your mind.

It’s kind of weird that ‘ghost’ is spelled with a ‘gh.’

Why are ‘Ghost,’ ‘Ghastly,’ and ‘Ghoul’ Spelled with ‘gh’?

Only a handful of English words start with ‘gh’—what gives?

You better knock, knock, knock ... on wood.

Why Do We Knock On Wood?

Discover the origins of the classic phrase 'knock on wood,' which could be tied to a Victorian-era children's game or have more direct ties to old pagan traditions.