BIG QUESTIONS

Do Media Outlets Write Obituaries for Old or Ill Celebrities in Advance?

In a word: absolutely—though not just the old or ill.

Why Is the Drinking Age 21?

Ronald Reagan had something to do with it. FDR, too.

What's the Difference Between a Church, a Cathedral, and a Basilica?

It's complicated.

Why Do College Basketball Teams Cut Down the Nets?

North Carolina State coach Everett Case didn’t realize he was starting a trend in 1947. He just wanted a souvenir.

Sir Francis Chichester is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1967.

How Does One Become A Knight?

Here are the answers to some of your most pressing knighthood-related questions.

Why Do Onions Make You Cry?

Many of us burst into tears when we cut into one, too. It's the price we pay for onion-y goodness. So why and how can we make it stop?

What is the Riot Act, and Why Don't I Want It Read to Me?

In the 1700s, unlawful assemblies were forced to listen as the Riot Act was read aloud. If they didn't disperse, the punishment was—quite reasonably—death.

Why Do Radio Stations Begin With 'K' or 'W'?

Bureaucracy works in mysterious ways.

What Is ‘gh’ Doing in So Many English Words?

Once upon a time, the "gh" did stand for a specific sound—one we don’t have in English today.

Why Do Canada Geese Fly at Night?

There are a couple of reasons, all of them very smart.

How Did English End Up With There/They're/Their?

It's OK, we all confuse them sometimes.

Why Do Awards Shows Have a Red Carpet?

The answer has quite a lot to do with crushed insects.

How Are Each Year's Oscar Presenters Chosen?

It all comes down to star power, tradition, and perhaps even a relationship between the presenter and the recipient.

Why Does the Leaning Tower of Pisa Lean?

Soft soil is only the beginning of the story.

How Do Hummingbirds Sleep?

A little shut-eye comes with some risk.

What Are Curlers Yelling About?

There's a strategy to all that shouting.

Why You Should Never Take Your Shoes Off On an Airplane

First: Eww!

What's the Origin of the “Sometimes, Always, Never” Rule?

Sometimes, always, never. If you’re a man wearing a three-button blazer, those are the only three words you need to know. But where did this fashion edict originate?