BIG QUESTIONS

It’s easy to recognize these political symbols.

How Did the Donkey and Elephant Become Political Mascots?

Andrew Jackson’s 1828 political campaign kicked it off, and cartoonist Thomas Nast made the political symbols really gain traction.

Why Do Some Road Signs Have Holes in Them?

Yes, they‘re often bullet holes. No, that‘s not the only explanation.

The official beverage of fall (sorry, PSL.)

What's the Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider?

They’re both fruit beverages, but apple juice and apple cider are not quite the same thing.

“God” and “Jesus” are the only Simpson characters that have five fingers.

Why Do So Many Cartoon Characters Have Four Fingers?

It‘s normal for cartoon characters to be missing a digit, but how did the style originate?

Keep a look out for the origins of this weird phrase.

Where Does the Expression ‘Keep Your Eyes Peeled’ Come From?

Popular theories involve pirates—and police.

May want to think twice about drinking straight from the faucet, too.

Why Does My Tap Water Taste So Funny?

Depending on how weird your home’s tap water tastes, it could be due to the pipes or an old water heater, or be a problem with the water itself.

Do You Really Need to Separate Your Laundry?

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t usually need to separate your laundry—though it can still be beneficial in certain cases.

Why Do We Say “Make a Beeline”?

Making a beeline for the buffet table? You’re buying into some bee stereotypes.

What Exactly Is a ‘Wild Goose Chase’?

No wild geese were harmed in the making of this idiom.

Why Do We Say “Cold, Hard Cash”?

The meaning behind the money.

What’s the Word for When You Can’t Remember a Word?

There's a fancy term for forgetting a word—'lethologica.'

President George Washington delivering his inaugural address.

Why Do Presidents Serve Four-Year Terms?

Here’s the history behind four-year presidential term limits, plus answers to all your other questions about presidential terms.

A wiggly tape measure isn't to blame for any mistaken measurements.

Why Are the Ends of Measuring Tapes So Loose?

There's a good reason the metal hook on a tape measure wiggles, and it has to do with why the first inch is actually 1/16th of an inch short.

Why Did Synchronized Swimming Change Its Name?

Synchronized swimming now goes by the name ‘artistic swimming.’ Here's why.

Why Does One Volleyball Player Wear a Different Color Than Their Teammates?

Volleyball doesn’t have goalkeepers, but it does have liberos—and the rules are a little different for them.

Léon Marchand at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why Does the Olympic Host Country Win So Many Medals?

There are several reasons why a host country might see a boost in the Olympics medal count.

Some Olympic athletes still sport paper bibs.

Why Do Some Olympic Athletes Wear Paper Numbers?

The big paper tags seen on Olympic track and field athletes are both high-tech tracking devices and sentimental souvenirs.

Tourists will notice something different about their soda cans when visiting Hawaii.

Why Do Hawaiian Soda Cans Have Ridges Around the Top?

Sodas in the Aloha State look a little different from what you’re probably used to.

Why Do We Say Things Are “Cute as a Button”?

The expression—which can be used for all things adorable—dates back to the early 20th century.

Olympic individual neutral athlete Daniil Medvedev is one of the Russian competitors at the Paris Games.

What Song Is Played If a Stateless Olympian Wins a Gold Medal?

No, they can’t pick their own anthem for their medal ceremony.

Red eyes are a hallmark of many albino creatures.

Why Do Albino Animals Have Red Eyes?

It has nothing to do with red pigment.

An athlete holds up a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

How Much Gold is in a Gold Medal?

The amount of gold in Olympic medals is regulated, and there’s a lot less than there used to be.

Why Does Deodorant Have Two Caps?

Deodorant sticks often come with one outer cap and one inner cap, but the purpose of that extra inner cap isn’t really clear.

Italy's Laura Bruschini at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

What Do the Hand Signals Mean in Olympic Beach Volleyball?

Beach volleyball's hand signals are a handy way for a blocker to clue their teammate into their next move.

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