Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Illustration of people enjoying wassail, circa 1800.

Here‘s everything you need to know about this beloved Christmas tradition, from how it evolved to a fun guide for doing it yourself.

The origins of Hanukkah’s blue and white color scheme are in the Bible and 19th-century poetry.

In 1864, the Jewish poet Ludwig August Frankl named blue and white “the colors of Judah” in a poem not so surprisingly called “Judah’s Colours.”

A stack of gifts ... or are they presents?

Those brightly wrapped packages we exchange around the holidays and other special occasions: Sometimes we call them “gifts,” sometimes “presents.” Is there a difference?

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

Jack Frost pops up in a number of wintery tales.

Most iterations of Jack Frost see him clad in icy blue and white, and as well as being responsible for nose-nipping, he’s also credited with creating frost. But where exactly did this mythical cold-weather figure originate?

Those little packets keep your flowers fresh.

Three ingredients in the “flower food” packet stapled to the cellophane around your bouquet can help the blooms stay vibrant.

Up to 70 percent of people have experienced hypnic jerks, but they’re usually nothing to worry about.

Cultural values have changed a lot since ancient Greece.

The six-sided tool helped make IKEA a household name. But did anyone named Allen have anything to do with it?

On Earth, compasses always point north—but when you’re drifting outside our planet’s magnetosphere, things get more complicated.

If they were in separate glasses without their cans, could you tell them apart?

Are Diet Coke and Coke Zero really that different? Here are the differences and health factors in the diet soda vs. zero-sugar soda debate.

These two tiny titans of folklore might appear similar, but they couldn't be more different.

Whether you’re at a hotel on a business trip or crashing at a relative’s house for the holidays, getting quality sleep on the first few nights can be a challenge. Here’s why.