There are a few reasons why people cross their fingers, but in the Western world one of the main reasons is to bring good luck, or to show support and solidarity for someone else. “I’ll keep my finger’s crossed” means “I’m rooting for you” or “I hope you have good fortune.” It’s one of…
Ever wondered why sometimes you get a headache after eating an ice cream? This article explains this phenomenon and why it happens.
What’s going on with exploding whales? Is it just whales, and do whales explode in the ocean, or just when they’re on land? As it turns out, just about any decomposing animal will explode if given the right conditions; the difference with whales is that it’s a much, much bigger explosion, and beached whale corpses…
For teenage boys around the world, those first few stubbly hairs on the chin or upper lip are a reason to rejoice and consider oneself suitably grown-up. Grow a sufficient beard and you might even be able to get into a bar without being carded, and don’t forget that ladies love a nice scruffy…
Have you ever wondered about whether or not your favorite newscasters are just hiding their regional accents, or if they really don’t have any distinguishing inflections? In reality, they’re probably just using a neutral-sounding accent, known in the US as the General American accent. The General American accent is the tone of choice for nightly…
If you ask your typical American which state is the flattest, there’s a good chance they’ll respond with Kansas. In fact, 1/3 of participants in an American Geographical Society claimed just that. Kansas, the Sunflower State, has the happy distinction of being “flatter than a pancake”: but just how flat is it? In 2003,…
Farmers have been putting trust in the future-predicting properties of their cattle for generations; when the cows lie down, it’s time to prepare for a storm. But is it a real phenomenon, or just an old wives’ tale? Can Cows Tell When A Storm Is Coming? The answer is a bit murky. Studies have found…
If you’re a denizen of the Youtube community, or even just browse videos once in a while, you’ve probably found yourself watching some absolutely baffling videos, from parodies to rants to art school films. A perennial favorite for Youtubers across the globe is footage from Russian dash cams. For Americans, dash cams are usually…
It’s tempting to believe that koalas cling to trees so emphatically because they just love trees so, so much; however, the reason these oh-so-cuddly critters are such enthusiastic tree huggers has more to do with staying cool than genuine affection. Koalas, which are a species of marsupial native to Australia, will spend most of their…
In 2013, a poll revealed that 65% of Americans who were questioned on the subject actively believed that humans only use 10% of their brains. But this simply isn’t true. At all. It’s one of the most pervasive and widely-believed myths of modern psychology; it’s so popular that it’s a plot point in major Hollywood…
If you’re locked in a debate-to-the-death over whether that nice, large body of water on the side of the highway is a lake or a pond, be prepared to throw down your weapons. The truth of the matter is: it’s both. Or, it’s neither, if that suits you better. The fact is that there…
Ask anyone and they can attest to the fact that of all the things we feel like doing when someone tickles us, laughing is probably one of the last on the list. Even if you don’t find being tickled downright unpleasant, you probably still feel that the sensation gets old pretty quick. Yet, tickles make…
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