BIG QUESTIONS

Where Do Hamsters Come From?

Even if you've never owned one, you've surely seen Golden Hamsters available for sale in pet stores, or scurrying around in a glass tank in a grade school classroom. But how did they get there?

What's the Origin of the Phrase "The Eleventh Hour"?

Why Do Some Trucks Have an Extra Set of Wheels?

The wheels attached to “tag axles” or “lift axles” on a dump truck aren’t spare tires—and they don’t always float above the road.

Nothing says love like a gift that will wilt and die in a few days.

Why Do We Give Red Roses for Valentine's Day?

The tradition of handing out roses that will die in a few days to express everlasting love is the result of 19th-century flower theory, class status, and good old commerce.

Why Do Dogs Have Tails?

Dogs wag their tails to show you how happy they are that you’re finally home from work. But the furry appendages serve other purposes, too.

A circumhorizontal arc, or "fire rainbow," in Japan.

What Causes a Rainbow If There Isn’t Any Rain?

As the saying goes, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain. But you can have parhelia and circumhorizontal arcs.

How do I tell if thee is a sonnet? Let me count the lines.

Poem vs. Sonnet: What’s the Difference?

Plenty of poems are love poems. Why aren’t all of them considered sonnets? In short, rhyme scheme, length, and structure.

Why Are Online Scams Called ‘Phishing’?

‘Phishing’ has become a catch-all term for basically any internet scam. When it was coined in the ’90s, that wasn’t the case.

This is actually frosting—not icing—on the cake.

What's the Difference Between Frosting and Icing?

There’s a reason people refer to “buttercream frosting” but don't often say “buttercream icing.”

Is Catnip Bad for Dogs?

Cats on catnip can be quite fun to watch. Can dogs get in on the action? Yes, but it probably won’t be as entertaining.

Why Does Fake Jewelry Turn Your Skin Green?

Learning how to stop a ring from turning your finger green is easy. So is understanding why it happens in the first place.

Taco Bell's Nacho Fries often pull a disappearing act.

Why Does Taco Bell Keep Taking Nacho Fries Off Its Menu?

When it comes to making their wildly popular Nacho Fries widely available, Taco Bell is nacho friend.

ZIP codes hold the answer to getting you your junk mail as quickly as possible.

Why Do We Use ZIP Codes?

The five- to nine-digit code that gets letters to their destinations started with a man who would become known as "Mr. Zip."

Why Does My Cat Sit in Sunny Spots?

Cats never look more majestic than when they're sunbathing, but there's a practical reason for this behavior.

Why Do Dogs Spin Around Before They Poop?

Dogs have a tendency to preface their bowel movements with a bit of rotating before getting down to business. Is there evolution behind their revolution?

Unclear whether this is a memoir or an autobiography.

What’s the Difference Between a Memoir and an Autobiography?

What’s an autobiography? The story of someone’s life as told by them—which isn’t exactly the same thing as a memoir.

What's the Difference Between White Cheese and Yellow Cheese?

Cheesemakers have been adding yellow and orange food dye to their cheese products since the 17th century.

Kissing is a New Year's Eve tradition. But...why?

Why Do People Kiss at Midnight on New Year's Eve?

End-of-year smooching has roots in the parties of ancient Rome, but Thomas Edison had a part to play, too.

How Long Does a Bottle of Wine Generally Last Once It's Opened?

It's true that wine starts to oxidize the moment you uncork it, but that's no reason to pour the leftovers down the drain.

Why Is It Called a 'Semi Truck'?

The names ‘18-wheeler,’ ‘big rig,’ and ‘tractor-trailer’ aptly convey the size and scope of the vehicle. ‘Semi’ seems a little misleading. What gives?

Why Do Semi Trucks Have Spikes On Their Wheels?

Semi trucks’ tire spikes mainly protect the wheels’ lug nuts. They also offer drivers a chance to give their trucks a bit of personality.

Are Zebras Black With White Stripes or White With Black Stripes?

What color are a zebra's stripes? Though it may sound like a philosophical query, it is possible to answer this question with science.

Turkey is good enough for your holiday dinner, but the eggs are a bit too pricey for your omelet.

Why Don't We Eat Turkey Eggs?

Turkey eggs are perfectly edible, but you definitely won't find them at your local grocery store. Here's why.

Why Do We Say 'Have a Chip on Your Shoulder'?

What does ‘chip on your shoulder’ mean? These days, nothing literal. But actual chips and shoulders used to be involved.

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