How Do Trick Candles Work?

How Do Trick Candles Work?

  Even the most nuanced and worldly prankster can still appreciate the simple pleasure of watching someone blow out their birthday candle – and then blow it out again – and again – and again, before finally realizing there is some trickery afoot. Of course, the fun wears thin after Grandma Betty’s sixth wheezing attempt,…

Why Do Dogs Love To Smell Each Other’s Butts?

Why Do Dogs Love To Smell Each Other’s Butts?

  Dogs may not have the best eyesight, but with a sense of smell up to 100,000 better than a human’s sense, who needs to see anything? Dogs have such a powerful sense of smell because their olfactory membrane is much larger than ours; the olfactory membrane is located in the snout and can be…

What’s So Special About Truffles?

What’s So Special About Truffles?

How much would you pay for a white truffle weighing in at 4.16 pounds? At least one person is willing to pay $61,250 for what has been called the “World’s Largest” truffle – that was the winning bid at a Sotheby’s auction. Vittorio Giordano, of Urbani Truffles USA, has some insight into why, exactly, truffles…

What Does The Emergency Brake On The Subway Do?

What Does The Emergency Brake On The Subway Do?

  If you’re one of those people for whom a big sign saying “DO NOT PUSH”, pointing to a red button, makes you want to do nothing but push the hell out of that button, you’ve probably been tempted by the enticing allure of big, red emergency brakes. They’re standard on all New York City…

What’s With Huge Clown Shoes?

What’s With Huge Clown Shoes?

  Whether you think they’re a great addition for your child’s birthday party or demons sent from hell to keep you awake at night, clowns have been around for ages and are imminently recognizable, from their red noses to their comically oversized shoes. But where does the tradition of clown-size shoes come from? If you…

Is There Such A Thing As The Second World?

Is There Such A Thing As The Second World?

  Everyone knows that the Third World could use a little help, and that the First World is probably where they should turn for that help, but what about those guys in the middle? Is there such a thing as a Second World? Much to the relief of the anal retentive, the answer to that…

Who invented the Brownie, and when?

Who invented the Brownie, and when?

  One bite of a delicious, warm, gooey, chocolate-y brownie fresh from the oven is enough to send most people to food heaven; but where did brownies come from, and who do we have to thank for one of the most delicious indulgences on the dessert menu? Who invented the Brownie? The answer isn’t a…

Will Adding Salt Actually Speed Up Boiling Time?

Will Adding Salt Actually Speed Up Boiling Time?

  It’s a common belief that adding salt to water will make it boil faster; you might believe it yourself, or if not you definitely know someone who does. It’s one of those age-old adages that gets passed down from generation to generation, eventually becoming a staple of kitchen wisdom that people believe without ever…

Why do Limbs Fall Asleep?

Why do Limbs Fall Asleep?

Ever wondered why do your Limbs Fall Asleep? This article esplains the science behind the pins and needles sensation of limbs falling asleep.

Where Does the Term Poindexter Come From?

Where Does the Term Poindexter Come From?

  If you’ve ever been called a poindexter, you know what a backhanded compliment it can be: it means you’re smart, but in a very un-cool way. Where did the term come from? Believe it or not, we can thank the antics of a cartoon cat for this not-quite-a-compliment. In 1919, Felix the Cat began…

Where Does the Term “OK” Come From?

Where Does the Term “OK” Come From?

  How many times a day do you use the term “OK”? If you were to count all the times you use the expression, whether it’s to show enthusiasm, agree with someone, describe something, or to change the topic of conversation, you’d probably be taken aback by how important those two little letter are. They’re…

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