Big Questions Answered, How and Why

This woman systematically drinks orange juice while her creative juices are flowing.

Something systemic—like a disease—means it’s present throughout a system. ‘Systematic’ refers to how a system is operated.

For one thing, tear gas grenades are usually used for crowd control—pepper spray is more for personal safety.

The Insurrection Act gives the president the authority to address domestic disturbances using the military.

Introduced in 1807, the Act affords the president the power to intervene in state law enforcement efforts. But debate rages over when it's appropriate to do so.

Graves in potter's fields are sometimes marked with blank headstones or crosses.

After a remorseful Judas returned his payment for betraying Jesus, the high priests used it to buy the very first potter’s field.

3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.

The phrase 'green thumb' has an interesting history.

If our hands turn into a mess of smeared dirt when gardening, how come we have green thumbs? Why not green fingers?

General Winfield Scott, the original great Scott (probably).

"Great Scott!" was around long before it became the go-to expression of Doc Brown in ‘Back to the Future.’

The reasons why whitewashing farmhouses became a popular trend among colonial homeowners, especially those who lived in humid climates, go far beyond aesthetics.

The White House looks lovely against the lush green lawn, but that’s not why it was originally painted white.

News anchors have mastered the art of being linguistically neutral.

No matter where you are in the country, local and national news anchors have the same vocal delivery. There's a good reason why they learn it.

Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a great addition to any herb garden.

They’ll both leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, but one type of mint might do a better job than the other.

Cats can live large thanks to pet trusts.

Mr. Mittens could inherit millions from a generous owner, but it takes some legal planning to make sure jealous humans don't come looking for the dough.

One of the most in-demand household items is now scarce. If you find an old and expired bottle, here's what you should know about its effectiveness.

Hotels often offer a complimentary pastry and fruit breakfast.

Hotels offer pastries, fruit, and coffee as a guest perk. But what makes it a 'continental' breakfast?

A couple of long-suffering scientists from Australia donated their time—and their gas—to figuring out whether farts can spread disease.

The story of March Madness has everything: Chaucer, sex-crazed hares, Alice in Wonderland, lawsuits, and a basketball coach-turned-poet from Illinois.

Height isn't the only difference between horses and ponies.

Knowing your equines is no mere horseplay. Here's how to tell the difference between horses, ponies, and even miniature horses.

Paperbacks are more popular with readers, but they're rarely the first version of a book that gets published.

Looks like these stickers were handed out at a primary, not a caucus.

Primary elections help us decide which presidential candidates will compete in the general election, but the processes vary by state.

In lieu of hanging shower curtains or providing full shower doors, many newer hotels are opting for glass panels that cover only half the length of the shower. Why?