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In Technology , Computers , Computer Hardware

What is the difference between a hard drive and a solid-state drive?

Both devices provide non-volatile storage, which means they’re capable of storing data even when a computer loses power (as opposed to something like random access memory, which requires a constant source of electricity). Hard disk drives (HDDs) use mechanical components…

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In Video Games , The Elder Scrolls , The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

When is the next Elder Scrolls game coming out?

We probably won’t get the next game in the Elder Scrolls series until at least 2021. The game series, which has spawned massive hits including Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim is notorious for long development times. Skyrim, the fifth game in…

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In Friday the 13th , Superstitions , Holidays and Traditions , Calendar

What odd occurrences have taken place on Friday the 13th?

While we’re not especially superstitious, Friday the 13th has certainly held bad luck for some people. Here are a few of our favorite coincidences: An author’s ship suffered a strange fate. Author Thomas William Lawson was a businessman and author…

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In Horror and Suspense Movies , Superstitions , Friday the 13th

Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?

Nobody knows for sure, but we’ve got some pretty good theories. It’s likely that Friday the 13th is seen as unlucky for multiple reasons. While the number 13 has been seen as unlucky for centuries (at least in the Western…

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In Animal Life , Rainforests , Deforestation and Habitat Loss , Climatology and Climate Changes

Why is the Amazon Rainforest so important?

Many scientists believe the Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in moderating global temperatures. That’s the primary reason to be concerned about deforestation efforts, but here’s a more detailed breakdown of the Amazon’s importance: 1. It removes carbon dioxide from…

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In Spider-Man , Marvel Comics , Sony Corporation , Disney

Who owns the rights to Spider-Man?

Marvel owns the rights to the character, but intellectual property rights get complicated quickly. Print rights are different than film rights, for instance—Marvel can still produce Spider-Man comics, but the character Spider-Man can no longer appear in Marvel Cinematic Universe…

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In Water Cycle , Earth Sciences , Groundwater and Well Water

What are the steps in the water cycle?

Most science resources focus on four main steps of the water cycle—evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection—but some resources get more granular. Here’s a breakdown: 1. Evaporation - Heat from the sun (or another source) comes into contact with water. The…

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In Digital Television , Netflix , Disney , Disney Channel

What are the Disney+ exclusives and when are they scheduled to be released?

Disney’s new streaming service, Disney+, will debut Nov. 12, 2019, and the studio is busy whipping up tons of original content. That’s a major development in the entertainment world, since, in addition to their historical stranglehold on animated children’s fare…

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In Credit and Debit Cards , Accepting Credit Cards , Technology

What is the difference between magnetic strip credit cards and chip cards?

Chip cards are generally considered to be more secure than magnetic strip cards. To understand why, we need to understand how the two technologies work. A magnetic strip holds information about the card and the cardholder’s account. This is static…

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In Asteroids , Astronomy , Comets

Will the Apophis "God of Chaos" asteroid hit the Earth in 2029?

Nothing is 100 percent guaranteed in astronomy, but scientists don’t expect the asteroid 99942-Apophis to come into contact with the Earth (or any other celestial bodies in our solar system, for that matter). A blog post from NASA’s Jet Propulsion…

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In Marriage , Relationships , Divorce

People whose marriages made it less than a year, why did you get divorced?

“I went to school with someone who found out on the honeymoon [that] her new husband had been having a long-term affair,” wrote PhantomTireBuyer. “She was surprisingly cool with everything and never seemed upset.” “She even said she was happy…

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In Constellations , Astronomy , Stars

What are the largest constellations?

Modern astronomers break the sky into 88 designated star groups known as constellations. Here’s a quick breakdown of the five largest. Constellations are typically measured in square degrees of the night sky; for comparison, a full moon covers about 0.2…

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In Amelia Earhart , History of the United States , Airplanes and Aircraft

What really happened to Amelia Earhart?

Amelia Earhart, the first woman to pilot a non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, disappeared on July 2, 1937, during her attempt to fly around the globe. She was legally declared dead on Jan. 5, 1939, but nobody knows precisely…

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In Calligraphy and Hand-Lettering

What are some interesting facts about left-handed people?

Here are a few of the most interesting facts about lefties (and by the way, this answer was written by a lefty): Four of the last six U.S. presidents were lefties. Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack…

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In Thanksgiving , Native American History , History of the United States , Education

What is true, half true, or a complete fabrication we tell students about the first Thanksgiving?

We all know by now—or at least we should—that what our history textbooks told us in school is not exactly the gospel truth. Time and centuries’ worth of oral and written tradition tend to distort and reshape the facts to…

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In Children's Books , Books and Literature , Parenting and Children

What are the best books from your childhood that every kid should read?

You might say the books you read when you were a child are some of your fondest memories growing up. You may even go on to say these tales you enjoyed with loved ones or by yourself contributed to the…

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In Domestic Dogs , Veterinary Medicine

How do we get our dog to stop passing gas?

Dog farts are no joke. Canine flatulence can clear out a room and ruin a sweet, cuddly moment in an instant. Your pet might not seem to be bothered by their gas, but if you're reading this, you probably are…

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In Statue of Liberty , Poetry , New York City , History of US Immigration

Who wrote the Statue of Liberty poem?

Emma Lazarus wrote the sonnet “The New Colossus” on Nov. 2, 1883 as part of a fundraising effort for the construction of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal. Lazarus was born on July 22, 1849, into a wealthy Sephardic Jewish family…

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In United States of America

What are some things about Americans that make non-Americans cringe?

Tourists adventuring in America are losing their appetites over conversations about tipping. After all, what's the fun of facing off against an absurdly-sized triple cheeseburger that could feed a family of four if you're focused on remembering the guidelines of…

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In English Language , Word and Phrase Origins

Where does the saying "bite the bullet" come from?

The exact origins of the phrase are difficult to pin down, but it’s generally attributed to the practice of biting on a bullet during warfare to deal with pain or discomfort. According to one theory, soldiers would bite bullets during…

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In Laundry , Household Hints , Cleaning

What is the best way to fold a fitted sheet?

There’s really only one way to fold a fitted sheet without succumbing to the frustration that usually accompanies the task. The elastic bands do present an issue, see, and most of us end up shoving unfolded linens into our closets…

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In Word and Phrase Origins , English Language

Where does "bury the hatchet" come from?

It comes from a tradition followed by some Native American tribes. At the end of a war, the tribes' chiefs would literally bury a hatchet as a symbolic gesture of their new peace. Not all tribes followed this tradition. However…

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In Word and Phrase Origins , English Language

Where does the phrase "run the gamut" come from?

It’s based on a musical notation system used in the Middle Ages. First, let’s look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of the phrase: “To encompass an entire range of something. Ex: Her emotions ran the gamut from joy to despair.” To put…

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In Insects , Food & Cooking , Woodlice (Roly-Poly and Pill bug)

What do roly polies taste like?

If prepared well, they taste similar to shrimp. And yes, they’re edible. Contrary to popular belief, roly polies (also known as pill bugs, doodle bugs, potato bugs, and by their scientific order name, Armadillidiidae) aren’t insects or arachnids. They’re land…

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In Coins and Paper Money , Magic and Illusions , Statistics

How do you flip a coin?

Here’s the basic process. After you’ve got this down, we’ll look at a few ways to influence the outcome of the coin flip. Step One - Make your hand into a fist, wedging your thumb against your index finger or…

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In Movies

Is the person who types up movie credits in the movie's credits?

Sometimes, but not typically. The film’s producer makes that decision. Many film productions outsource it to a motion graphics company like Scarlet Letters, which claims to be the number one company in the world specializing in end titles. The company…

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In Card Games , Magic and Illusions , Board Games , Statistics

How many shuffles does it take to randomize a deck of cards?

The answer depends on the type of shuffle you use. With a bit of math, we can determine that a brand-new deck will be effectively randomized after seven traditional (or “riffle") shuffles. First, a quick definition of a riffle shuffle…

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In iPhone , Mobile Phones

Why did Apple remove the headphone jack?

Apple’s position is that the headphone jack is an old technology, and that its removal allows the company to produce better phones with more features. Specifically, the removal of the headphone jack allows Apple engineers to do more with the…

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In Fashion , Men's Clothing

What are some crazy ways to tie a necktie?

We’re not here to talk about your Windsors, Half-Windsors, Prince Alberts, or Kelvins. No, we’re here to show off some of the craziest necktie fastenings out there so you can really step up your tie game. Check out this diverse…

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In Food Spoilage , Grocery Shopping , Food Storage and Preservation , Food & Cooking

How long can I eat food after its expiration date?

You can eat most foods after their expiration date, but dozens of factors can affect food spoilage. Contrary to popular belief, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require manufacturers to list an “expiration,” “use by,” or “sell by" date…

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In Clouds , Meteorology and Weather , Rain and Flooding

What is cloud seeding?

Imagine a world where drought-ridden areas can get the rain they need, on demand. A place where airports can eliminate dangerous fog that could potentially lock thousands of passengers on land and compromise the safety of those in the air…

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In Lemons and Limes , Rhetorical Questions , Paradox and Antithesis , Jokes and Riddles

How come lemonade mixes use artificial lemons, but furniture polish uses the real thing?

To put it simply, you want lemonade mixes to taste good, and you want furniture polish to actually clean your stuff. First, one issue with the question: Some furniture polishes don’t use lemon, even if they’re advertised as “lemon scented.”…

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In Relationships

Can you ever really be friends with an ex?

Yes, you can be friends with an ex. Whether or not that's a good idea depends on your personality, your ex's personality, the nature of your relationship, and a host of other factors. For many people, the idea of staying…

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In Credit , Civil Lawsuits , Improving Your Credit Rating

Will Equifax really pay $125 to every American affected by its data security breach?

No. Equifax will issue payouts to those affected by the company’s 2017 data breach who file a claim, but the amount of those payouts will be much, much less than $125. Here’s the deal: In July 2019, Equifax reached a…

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In Education , School Subjects

What are some facts you were taught in school that are no longer true?

If you hold your face like that, it’ll get stuck that way. At least, that’s what your elementary school teacher probably told you. (Also, why were you pulling so many goofy faces when you were supposed to be focusing on…

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In Donuts , Dunkin' Donuts , Bakeries

Do you call little donut balls "munchkins," "timbits," or "donut holes"?

You can call them whatever you’d like, as all three names are acceptable. However, if you’re trying to order them from a bakery, you might have better luck with one of these names, depending on where you’re at. First, a…

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In The Moon , Borders and Boundaries

Does any country own the moon?

Not officially. While the United States planted a flag on the moon, the astronauts' intention wasn’t to claim ownership, and there’s actually an international treaty that forbids any country from claiming the moon (or other celestial bodies) as its own…

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In Eyes , Colors , Color Blindness

Does everyone see colors the same way?

The short answer: Probably not, but most people still get the same emotional experience from looking at the same colors. To really address this question in detail, however, we need to consider two factors that affect how we see color…

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In Soups and Stews , Food & Cooking , Cereal

Is cereal a soup?

Much like the question of whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich (it isn’t, really), the answer here depends on how you define the terms. Here’s the Merriam-Webster definition of soup: “A liquid food especially with a meat…

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In Archaeology , Dead Sea

What Were The 5 Biggest Archaeological Discoveries Of The Last Decade?

Can you believe it’s been nine years since the last Indiana Jones film came out? As much as we might wish to forget Shia LaBeouf swinging from vines amidst a family of monkeys, the reality is that Harrison Ford’s scruffy-faced…

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In Health , Science , Human Anatomy and Physiology

Brain Freeze, Goose Bumps, And Other Weird Stuff Your Body Does Without Asking. What are they?

Ever wonder where “brain freeze” comes from? What about the hiccups? How about goose bumps? While you might not spend much time thinking about these strange body phenomena, they’re fairly complex neurological events. In some cases, they serve important biological…

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In Sharks , Tiger Sharks , Beaches

What's the best way to survive a shark attack?

First of all, understand that your risk of a shark attack is incredibly small unless you purposely swim around sharks. Beaches can be dangerous places, but sharks aren’t a serious risk at most of them; according to the International Shark…

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In AnswersVideo

10 Fascinating Food Photography Tricks Revealed

Everybody knows that when their food arrives at the restaurant table, it looks rather different than in the advertisements or…

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In Formula One , Auto Racing

What happens in a Formula One pit stop?

As of 2019, an F1 pit stop typically involves a tire change and a front wing adjustment. Up to 20 team members perform a perfectly choreographed set of actions to get the car back onto the track as quickly as…

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In TV Shows and Series , Actors & Actresses

What were tv moments that were almost fatal?

The Brady Bunch In the episode "The Cincinnati Kids," the script called for the cast to be filmed riding a rollercoaster. However, the camera that was mounted at the front of the coaster looked loose to Robert Reed (aka Mike…

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In Copyright Law , Legal Definitions , Intellectual Property

What is the difference between a copyright and trademark?

Both copyrights and trademarks protect intellectual property, but they differ in several significant ways: Usage - Per the United States Patent and Trademark Office, a copyright protects any original work “fixed in any tangible medium of expression.” That could include…

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In Ghosts , Haunted Houses , Paranormal Phenomena

What are the most haunted places in the world?

Čachtice Castle, Slovakia.In the early part of the 17th century, a Hungarian countess named Elizabeth Bathory was accused of murdering some 650 women across what is today known as Slovakia. Legend has it that Bathory's servants lured young women to…

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In Smartphone Apps , Social Media

Do the Russians have all my photos and data now that I've downloaded FaceApp?

The FaceApp mobile application does present some serious privacy concerns, based on a reading of its terms and conditions. However, it would be inaccurate to say that the app steals “all of your data,” or that it gives its developer…

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In Actors & Actresses , Movies , Celebrity Births Deaths and Ages

What were Rutger Hauer's most memorable movie roles?

The world lost another movie icon in Dutch actor and environmentalist Rutger Hauer at the age of 75. Known for his chilling delivering of dialogue, Hauer came to prominence in Hollywood films with his nuanced take on now classic villains…

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In Earthquakes , United States of America , History of the United States

What are the largest earthquakes to ever hit the United States?

In terms of magnitude, the largest earthquake ever measured in the United States occurred on March 27, 1964, in Alaska, registering a whopping 9.2 on the Richter scale. If you’re looking for more information, here’s a breakdown of the largest…