BIG QUESTIONS

Spoilers in movie trailers can frustrate film fans.

The Reason Movie Trailers Give So Much Away

Movie previews can reveal big plot points or moments that can spoil everything. So why do studios do it?

Notable southpaw Tommy John pitching for the New York Yankees in the 1980s.

Why Are Left-Handed People Called Southpaws?

Southpaws are most often talked about in baseball and boxing. But which sport (if either) coined the term?

Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee: What's the Difference?

Cold brew and iced coffee are often lumped together, but there are major differences between the recipes that affect the taste and the price of the drink.

Margarine vs. Butter: What’s the Difference—and Which Is Healthier?

Butter and margarine are made from different ingredients, but that doesn't automatically make one product healthier than the other.

Why Do Restaurants Serve Free Bread?

Many restaurants keep a basket full of carbs on the table. Why are so many eateries eager to serve up filling—and free—food?

View of the World, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

What Are Those Domes on the Side of the Highway Used For?

The shingled, domed-shaped salt storage structures you see on the side of the highway are an example of clever design.

Coats and jackets living together in harmony.

Coat vs. Jacket: What’s the Difference?

Though not everyone recognizes the technical difference between coats and jackets, Lands’ End definitely does.

Brown Eggs vs. White Eggs: What’s the Difference?

The color of an egg's shell says nothing about its quality. The only difference between brown eggs and white eggs lies in the breed of the chicken that laid them.

What's the Difference Between Men's and Women's Razors?

Men's razors aren't necessarily better than women's razors, but they are different (and not just because they aren't pink).

In March 2021, digital artist Beeple sold a JPG of Everydays: The First 5000 Days for a record-setting $69.3 million.

What Are NFTs Anyway?

There are three kinds of people in the world: those who know what an NFT is, those who don't, and those who don't care.

A hairy situation in more ways than one.

Hair in Your Food Is Gross—But Is It Dangerous to Your Health?

The FDA Food Code recommends food service employees wear “hair restraints,” but it might be more for appearance’s sake than safety.

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

A big yawn doesn't necessarily mean your pup is ready for a nap. If your dog yawns excessively, they could be signaling stress.

Spots on eggs are a common--and usually harmless--occurrence.

Why Do Eggshells Sometimes Have Weird Bumps and Spots?

Despite rigorous quality control, eggs can sometimes arrive in stores with strange bumps or discolorations. Here's how to tell when it's cause for concern.

An image of the March equinox taken by the GOES-13 satellite in 2013.

Solstice vs. Equinox: What’s the Difference?

‘Vernal equinox’ isn’t just the technical term for the first day of spring, and 'summer solstice’ means something beyond ‘first day of summer.’

The Smart Reason There Are Black Lines on Basketballs

Those black lines do more than give a basketball its distinctive look—they actually make the sport easier to play.

Can Bird Poop Damage Cars?

Bird droppings on cars are not only unsightly, they're actually little chemical attacks that can seriously damage the paint finish.

He's a little lukewarm about baths in general.

How Warm Is Lukewarm?

If you’re talking yeast activation or baby bath temperatures, ‘lukewarm’ might be more specific than “not hot or cold.”

Is It Possible to Burp and Fart at the Same Time?

Some call it a 'furp,' or the passing of air and gas from both ends simultaneously. Can it happen, or has nature forbidden it?

Naming a cat "Whiskers" is like naming a baby "Fingertips."

Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

Apart from being the feline equivalent of a fancy mustache, what are cat whiskers for? As it turns out, multiple things.

Why Do We Say 'Cut to the Chase'?

“Cut to the chase” is a slightly friendlier way of telling someone to get to the point, but old Hollywood filmmakers meant it literally.

Why Are Bathtubs So Small? The Answer Is More Complex Than You Might Imagine

If you're a human of average size, taking a bath isn't always as relaxing as it sounds—especially when your legs are sticking halfway out of the water. The problem? Bathtubs are too small. But why?

Sympathy vs. Empathy: What’s the Difference?

Empathy’s definition originally described the relationship between humans and objects. Now, it’s much less straightforward.

Can Honey Go Bad?

Honey can spend years in a pantry without spoiling because bees are very diligent when it comes to food safety.

Rock salt can damage concrete driveways.

The Reason You Should Never Spread Rock Salt on Concrete Driveways

Millions of people treat slippery surfaces with rock salt, but it can wind up doing your driveway a lot more harm than good.

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