What exactly is the function of a rubber duck? The answer involves debtor’s prison, hunting practice, and the Billboard 100.
Author Archives: Aspen Moore
Round Robin
Why is a tournament where each team plays the other in turn called a round robin? The answer involves ribbons, religious refugees, and ringleaders.
I Threw a Wish in a Well
Why do we throw coins into fountains and wells in hopes of a wish being granted? The answer involves the law of contagion, a supermarket for the poor, and the undying hope of humanity.
Who Was St. Patrick?
Who was St. Patrick? The answer involves pirates, snakes, and revelatory dreams.
Who Was Saint Valentine?
We celebrate Valentine’s Day in honor of Saint Valentine every year on February 14th—but who is the legend behind the holiday? The answer is uncertain, really, but it involves miraculous healing, secret marriage ceremonies, and beekeeping.
The Story of “Once Upon a Time”
Why do we say “once upon a time” when beginning a story? The answer involves great time, great distance, and great imagination.
Brownie Points
What are brownie points? The answer involves military slang, wartime food rationing, and the Girl Scouts.
Spreading More Christmas Cheer: Christmas Carols Part 2
here do MORE of our favorite Christmas songs come from? Thanksgiving sleigh rides, a department store giveaway, and a pilgrimage to Israel.
The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer: Christmas Carols Part 1
Where did all of our favorite Christmas songs come from? Each one has a unique story, some of which involve a broken organ, a statue of Johannes Gutenberg, and a chain email hoax.
Where Does Pie Come From?
Where does pie come from, and why do we eat it on Thanksgiving? The answer involves a certain bird known for collecting miscellaneous objects, Queen Elizabeth I, and elaborate dinnertime entertainment.
All the Whyser 