BIG QUESTIONS

Gabe Kapler, manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, talks with home plate umpire Ryan Blakney during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Why Do Baseball Managers Wear the Same Uniforms as Their Players?

For many years, a baseball team's “manager” wore a player’s uniform simply because he was also a player.

Has Tobacco Ever Been Cultivated as a Food Source?

People have been growing tobacco for thousands of years, but never as food. That doesn't mean it can't be used as a protein source in the future.

IHC monogram: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain. Background: iStock/vectortatu

Why Do People Say "Jesus H. Christ," and Where Did the "H" Come From?

Where did people get the idea that Jesus had a middle name? Well, Mark Twain has a funny story about that.

Who Has Jurisdiction for Crimes Committed in Space?

With privatized space travel growing, it's inevitable we'll one day find ourselves faced with a space murder. How would the law deal with it?

Big Questions: 44 Things You Didn't Know You Needed to Know

Browse our dossier of questions that have probably come to you in the shower. (Including why thoughts often come to you in the shower.)

How Do Airplanes Land in Water?

Seaplanes and floatplanes can both be amphibious, but there are certain steps pilots must take to make sure their landing doesn't include sinking or swimming.

Is There An International Standard Governing Scientific Naming Conventions?

For animals, the 18th-century naturalist Carl von Linné introduced the system of binominal nomenclature, where animals have names composed of two parts.

What's the Difference Between a Killer's Signature and M.O.?

If you're a fan of true crime—or crime-based TV—chances are you've heard the terms 'signature' and 'M.O.' thrown around. We asked former FBI agent and author John Douglas to break down the difference for us.

What's the Difference Between An Attorney and A Lawyer?

The two terms seem interchangeable, but historically, there was a clear difference between a lawyer and a practicing attorney.

What Makes a Pet an Emotional Support Animal?

An animal doesn't need to be a pig, a peacock, or something just as unconventional to qualify. What constitutes an emotional support animal has little to do with the pet itself and more to do with its owner.

The Reason We Celebrate Flag Day

Support for Flag Day, a sometimes-overlooked holiday, was ignited during the Civil War. But there was a commercial purpose behind it.

What's the Difference Between A Dead and Live Virus?

A virus straddles the fuzzy boundary between living and dead, which is why biologists and doctors talk about "inactivated" viruses, not "dead" viruses.

What Is the Kitchen Like on the International Space Station?

The ISS doesn't have a full-fledged kitchen like we picture here on Earth, but there are sections designated for the astronauts to prepare food and eat.

What Do the Numbers and Letters on a Boarding Pass Mean?

They may seem like a random jumble of letters and numbers, but they contain key information about your flight. Here's how to read your boarding pass like a pro.

What's the Difference Between Pool and Billiards?

Sinking a ball in a side pocket is usually referred to as pool, but is a billiard game the same thing? We investigate.

How Can Cockroaches Survive Nuclear Attacks If They Can Be Killed By Insecticide?

We've all heard the old saying that the only thing that would survive a nuclear winter would be cockroaches (and maybe some Twinkies). So then why are they susceptible to bug sprays?

Why Were Dinosaurs So Large and Why Don't Animals of That Scale Exist Today?

Why aren't elephants and giraffes the size of brontosauruses and other dinosaurs that we know were enormous?

What Caused Pangea to Break Apart?

The ocean basins are constantly opening and closing, so what caused Pangea to break apart is slowly putting the next supercontinent together.

What Do the Terms on Energy-Saving Light Bulbs Mean?

Hardware store aisles are filled with light bulbs that promise cost savings. But what do these terms really mean?

What's the Difference Between a Rabbit and a Hare?

They're both cute and fluffy with big ears, but that's where the similarities end. It gets even more complicated when bunnies and jackrabbits are thrown into the mix …

Do Cats Understand Their Own Name?

Cats are undeniably smart, but do they have an understanding of their own identity? Researchers in Tokyo may have found the answer.

What Is The Difference Between An Inc., Ltd., Co., and LLC?

Incorporated. Limited. Company. Limited Liability Company. Essentially, the difference comes down to who is in charge and who assumes responsibility for any liabilities.

What Is One Hour Martinizing?

A New York chemist found a way to make dry cleaning safer and faster, so of course he named the process after himself.

If the Moon is Gradually Moving Farther Away From Us, Will Its Gravitational Pull Ever Cease on Earth?

Theoretically, the Moon could move far enough away to no longer have a hold on Earth. But quite a number of other big events would likely take place first.

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