BIG QUESTIONS

X marks the spot for lots of saturated fat.

The Surprising Inspiration Behind In-N-Out's Crossed Palm Trees

The trees make an 'X' at almost every In-N-Out location. And yes, it's by design.

A stereotypical depiction of a witch, wart and all.

Why Do Witches Often Have Warts?

The reason they’re often associated with the growths goes hand in hand with the same centuries-old superstitions that gave witches an undeservedly bad rap.

“Who, me?” This goat, hearing about the word ‘scapegoat.’

The Reason We Call People Blamed for Things “Scapegoats”

History is filled with figures who were single-handedly—yet often undeservedly—held responsible for epic societal failures. But what do goats have to do with it?

Bison grazing in Grand Teton National Park.

What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?

In the U.S., the terms ‘bison’ and ‘buffalo’ are used interchangeably—but they’re actually two different animals. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Corned beef? Or pastrami? Let's hash it out.

Pastrami vs. Corned Beef: What's the Difference?

The two brined meats are both delicious, but they're prepared in very different ways.

Serena Williams at the 2014 U.S. Open, which she won.

Why Are Tennis Tournaments Called “Opens”?

Tennis’s U.S. Open has only been an “open” since 1968. Here’s why.

Why Do Older People Grunt or Moan While Sitting Down or Standing Up?

It's known as "middle-aged groan," and it afflicts millions who dare try to get off the couch.

What Is Pumpkin Spice?

Sound the alarm: PSLs have officially arrived at Starbucks!

British vs. English: What’s the Difference?

First, you have to understand the difference between England and Britain (and the UK, while we’re at it).

Did the Bouncing DVD Logo Ever Actually Hit the Corner of the Screen?

Dunder Mifflin employees aren't the only people curious about whether that now-iconic DVD logo ever really does hit the corner of the screen.

Can You Actually Suck the Poison Out of a Snakebite?

You may have been taught the old cowboy trick of applying a tourniquet and using a blade to cut the bite wound to suck out the poison. It looks dramatic, but does it really work?

Why Do We Like to 'Nip It in the Bud'?

The idiom goes back centuries. And no, it's not 'nipping it in the butt.'

There are some key differences between the two devices.

What’s the Difference Between a Router and a Modem?

You need to set up both a router and a modem if you want Wi-Fi internet in your home, but there are major differences between the two devices.

Are You Really More Likely to Die on Your Birthday? The ‘Birthday Effect,’ Explained

“We concluded that birthdays end lethally more frequently than might be expected."

There probably isn't any brandy in there.

Why Are St. Bernards Always Depicted With Barrels Around Their Necks?

The barrels we see around St. Bernards' necks in paintings and cartoons is the invention of an artist named Edwin Henry Landseer.

Chicken fingers or chicken tenders? It's complicated.

Chicken Tenders vs. Chicken Fingers: What's the Difference?

All fried chicken tenders qualify as fingers, but not all chicken fingers are tenders.

Wearing white after Labor Day? Oh, the horror!

Why Can’t You Wear White After Labor Day?

The unofficial—but widely known—fashion rule can be traced back more than 100 years to some snobby millionaires.

Phone numbers with letters look like gibberish to most people making a phone call today.

Why Did Old Phone Numbers Start With Letters?

You may have noticed these weird phone numbers while watching reruns of your favorite ’50s-era TV show—and though they look like gibberish to modern phone-users, they were perfectly normal at the time.