Big Questions Answered, How and Why

Bright ideas come to us in the shower for a reason.

The shower creates the perfect conditions for a creative flash, coaxing out your inner genius.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 2023 premiere of 'FUBAR,' season 1.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger–starring Netflix series takes its title from World War II military slang. Here’s what 'fubar' means.

The first soccer balls weren't even made out of rubber.

Dive into the history of soccer balls, including how they evolved from their earliest form, when they were made out of pig bladders, into the hexagon design we see today.

Here’s the invisible etymology that turned Johns into Jacks.

Lemonade kickstarted the trend. But there’s more to the story than that.

Air is a free resource—unless you need it for your tires.

We know brownie points are something we can earn with spouses or superiors. But where did the term come from?

Prettier to look at than they are to actually swim with.

When it comes to jellyfish stings, urine is often cited as an effective remedy. But does it really work as a first-aid treatment?

On June 19, 2025, the United States will celebrate Juneteenth and the anniversary of Black emancipation. Here’s the meaning behind the holiday’s official flag.

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?

You‘ll never guess how big this creature is.

Think the shark in ‘Jaws’ was huge? Find out how big great white sharks really get and how they compare to megalodons and whale sharks.

Here’s a hint: It has a little something to do with hunting.

The Pride Flag first appeared in 1978, but it's evolved a lot since its initial conception. Here's what all the colors really stand for.

Make sure you know how to properly fly your flag.

Ingloriously crammed between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Flag Day tends to get overlooked. Here’s a brief history of the patriotic day.

Ginger ale is a go-to for a lot of people when they start feeling green.

Ginger is a proven anti-nausea remedy. But ginger ale (or any soda, really) probably won’t do you much good.

Magnetic north is shifting towards Siberia, but that doesn't quite explain why maps put north at the top.

The etymology of the ironworking tool comes with a slight twist.

When life gives you lemons, return to the dealership.

Cars aren’t a piece of fruit, so how did they come to be associated with lemons? Discover how this slang term got adopted in the automotive world and what it really means.

The lore behind America's favorite ballpark snack is pretty fascinating.

Discover the curious origins of America’s favorite ballpark snack and why it’s called a “hot dog” to begin with. (Spoiler: It doesn’t involve any literal dog meat.)

The dish really doesn't have anything to do with primates.

Monkey bread—a sticky pull-apart pastry that’s typically made from canned biscuit dough—is a sugary, cinnamony treat that has nothing to do with primates.

Costco keeps limited hours for a reason.

The popular warehouse chain won't let customers in until 10 a.m. Early birds want answers.

This scene probably wouldn’t be enough to claim ownership of the moon in space court.

The question of who has a claim to the moon and its resources is less a speculative fiction subject and more one for lawyers. Specifically, space lawyers.

The little pinprick spots on apples, pears, and potatoes are called lenticels, and they’re very important.

While they’re ubiquitous in pop culture, there’s one place where you won’t find great white sharks, and that’s behind glass.

BIG QUESTIONS

The Reason Why Our Best Ideas Come to Us in the Shower

What Does ‘Fubar’ Mean?

Why Are Soccer Balls Made of Hexagons?

Why Is ‘Jack’ a Nickname for ‘John’?

Why Are Fruity Drinks Called “Ades”?

Why Do Gas Stations Charge for Air?

Where Did the Term ‘Brownie Points’ Come From?

Does Peeing on a Jellyfish Sting Actually Help?

What Does the Juneteenth Flag Symbolize?

Who Has Jurisdiction for Crimes Committed in Space?

What‘s the Biggest Shark?

Where Did the Phrase ‘Beat Around the Bush’ Come From?

What Do All the Colors in the Pride Flag Stand For?

What Is Flag Day?

Should You Drink Ginger Ale for an Upset Stomach?

Why is North Always At the Top on a Map?

Why Is It Called a “Spud Wrench”?

Why Do We Call Defective Cars “Lemons”?

Why Is It Called a “Hot Dog”?

Why Is It Called “Monkey Bread”?

Why Does Costco Open So Late?

Does Anyone Own the Moon?

What Are Those Tiny Spots on Apples?

Why Don't You See Great White Sharks in Aquariums?