Answers »
Is it “Racking Your Brain” or “Wracking Your Brain”?
Stevo asks: Is “racking your brain” or “wracking your brain” the correct way to write that expression? There are some language guides, generally the ones that pay a lot of attention to the etymology
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How the Tradition of Trick or Treating Got Started
Amit Bhatnagar asks: Where did the American tradition of trick or treating come from? The vast majority of the traditions commonly associated with Halloween today are borrowed or adapted from four different festivals, namely:
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Why Did People Once Think the Moon was Made Out of Cheese?
Ron asks: Why did people think the Moon was made out of green cheese? Because it was formed in the Milky Way? -badop-ting-… *crickets* In fact, nobody ever thought the Moon was made of
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Why are Carved Pumpkins Called “Jack O’ Lanterns”?
Scott T. asks: Why are carved pumpkins called “Jack O’ Lanterns”? The name “Jack O’ Lantern” was originally one of the numerous names given to ignis fatuus (Medieval Latin for “foolish fire”), another of
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Where Did the Phrase “Take a Gander” Come From?
S.Belsky asks: Where did the phrase “take a gander” come from? What the hell is a “gander” and why would I want to take it? As you are no doubt aware, but for those
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What is the Origin of the Word “Tip”, as in Leaving a Tip
Frank Hintz: What is the origin of the word “tip” (as in leaving a tip)? You may have heard that the few hundred year old definition of “tip”, as referring to gratuity, comes from
Read More »Why Do They Call Grandfather Clocks by That Name?
J.Kaus asks: Why are Grandfather clocks called Grandfather clocks? At first glance, the answer seems obvious. Think about it- when was the last time you saw a grandfather clock in the house of anyone
Read More »Why Do Women Go to the Lady’s Room in Groups?
Byron asks: Why do women always seem to like to go to the bathroom in groups? Why do women go to the ladies room in groups? You might as well ask “What did John
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Why are Women Called Sluts, Dames, and Broads?
Rinni asks: Why are women sometimes called “sluts”, “dames”, and “broads”? Where did these words come from? Origin of the Word “Slut” “Slut” originally didn’t mean at all what it means today. For instance,
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How the Game “Poker” Got Its Name
Danimal27 Asks: Why is Poker called Poker? The card game “Poker” first was called such around the early 19th century. Despite this happening fairly recently, it isn’t directly known how Poker got its name,
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