BIG QUESTIONS

Living Room vs. Family Room vs. Den: What’s the Difference?

You can binge Netflix in any room you like, but there are some key differences between these living areas.

Fences have a little something to do with it.

Where Does the Phrase ‘Beyond the Pale’ Come From?

To get to the answer, we need to discuss Latin, wooden stakes, Catherine the Great, and, of course, Shakespeare.

The meaning behind “phony“ has to do with fake jewelry.

Why Does ’Phony’ Mean Fake?

The origins of the term come from the Irish word for “ring.”

As far as cucumbers go, they're getting the royal treatment.

Why Do English Cucumbers Come Wrapped in Plastic?

English cucumbers have a few qualities that make them superior to regular cucumbers, but one causes some problems, too.

How Many Continents Are There?

You may have been taught that Earth has seven continents. Or is it six? Or eight?

Returns can be a costly proposition for retailers.

Where Do Online Orders Go When You Return Them?

The fate of your unwanted air fryer, explained.

Members of Robert Falcon Scott's 1910-1913 expedition to reach the South Pole.

Frostbite vs. Hypothermia: What’s the Difference?

Here's how to tell frostbite symptoms from hypothermia symptoms.

They are several differences between the two.

Tsunami vs. Tidal Wave: What’s the Difference?

Tsunamis and tidal waves may look similar, but they differ in crucial ways.

They come in handy in more ways than one.

What Do Dryer Sheets Actually Do?

Whether you’re trying to get rid of wrinkles or reduce static electricity, dryer sheets can be useful in more ways than you might expect.

Should You Remove Your Dog’s Collar When at Home?

There are several important factors to take into consideration. And if your dog does wear a collar, you need to make sure it fits well and is safe.

A dish of homemade cranberry deliciousness.

Why Do We Eat Cranberry Sauce on Thanksgiving?

Your Thanksgiving cranberry sauce—be it homemade or Ocean Spray’s canned classic—is all part of America’s history.

Why Do Cats Cover Their Faces While Sleeping?

There are several reasons why cats have this adorable habit.

What Do Referees Do Between Periods of a Game?

Spoiler alert: They’re not just sitting around.

Can You Really Get Your Tongue Stuck to a Metal Pole?

As anyone who has seen ‘A Christmas Story’ knows, licking a cold metal object can be dangerous. Here’s why you should never stick your tongue to a metal pole in winter.

How Did Mary Jane Shoes Get Their Name?

Mary Janes have an early-20th-century comic strip to thank for their name.

A 1920 mural by paleoartist Charles Robert Knight depicting Cro-Magnon people painting on cave walls at Font-de-Gaume, France.

Neanderthal vs. Cro-Magnon: What’s the Difference?

These prehistoric members of our genus, ‘Homo,’ occupy different branches of the human family tree.

Why is 12 of Something Called “a Dozen”?

As with many words, we have Latin to thank.

Grandfather clocks often become family heirlooms.

Why Is It Called a ‘Grandfather Clock’?

The imposing clocks have an origin story, but it doesn't have much to do with any actual grandfathers.

Why Do We Call Dogs Fido?

“Fido” is a name that has become synonymous with all things dog. But where did the name come from?

Why Do Supreme Court Justices Serve for Life?

Alexander Hamilton argued that lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court were the only way, but some modern scholars disagree.

Here are the differences between green onions or scallions (left) and chives (right).

Scallion vs. Chives. vs. Green Onion: What’s the Difference?

One of these things is not like the others.

‘Boo’ didn’t originate as a ghostly saying.

Why Do Ghosts Say “Boo”?

If linguistics is any indicator, it would appear that everybody in the spirit realm speaks Scots English.

A hearse with S-shaped bars in place of back windows.

Why Do Hearses Have Metal S-Shaped Scrolls Where the Back Windows Should Be?

Those evocative scrolls you see on hearses actually have a name—and going back in the 1800s, they actually served an important purpose.

Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?

It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.

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