Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Jelly beans are a staple of Easter baskets, but how did they get there?

Some languages capitalize several of their pronouns. Some don’t capitalize any of them. English just capitalizes ‘I’—but why?

The Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building

The ”world’s largest public library,” the Library of Congress holds more than 160 million items.

Is there a right way to eat a chocolate Easter bunny? For candy enthusiasts, there’s a clear favorite among the many ways to devour one.

Chocolate bunnies have an unexpected origin.

As far as holidays go, Easter is second only to Halloween in American candy sales—that’s a lot of chocolate bunnies.

Here's how to tell your hamsters from your gerbils and your gerbils from your guinea pigs.

Total solar eclipse mania is gripping the United States. Should the wide-eyed and unprotected hazard a peek at this rare phenomenon?

Rats and mice are vastly different in appearance and behavior, though they have one thing in common: scaring the heck out of you.

A beautiful barn owl sneaks up on its prey.

Owl feathers’ special structures help the wise birds sneak up on their meals.

Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.

As the thinking goes, sharks don’t get cancer, so the pills will keep you from getting it, too. But there’s a problem with that theory.

Where did the idea for a rabbit that gives away eggs really come from? Trace the origins of the Easter bunny, from pagan festivals to the influence of 18th century German immigrants in America.

The term is often applied to everything from Etsy shops to trendy businesses. But what does ‘cottage industry’ really mean?

Parrots are among the longest-living birds.

A single number for birds’ lifespans is difficult to pin down, but the ability to fly is one of the keys to their longevity.

Travelers can be superstitious. So can airlines.

Superstition isn't the only reason you can't sit in 13A.

Flat white coffee is a relatively recent addition to coffee menus.

Flat white coffee combines the best of a cappuccino and a latte.

The popular piece of workout gear has a pretty insulting name, and it's all thanks to a poet and scholar.

It's easy to pinpoint how the Baby Boomer generation got its name.

Creating generation names like the Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z isn't always a straightforward process.

Back in the day, the box office was everything.

The origins of the term ‘box office’ will probably surprise you—it's more about box seats than those old-fashioned detached booths that look like glorified boxes.