Secret Santa: Where It Came From and the Rules That Keep It Fun
The office gift swap has roots in a Scandinavian door-knock prank and a real-life secret Santa. Here's the…
Articles
Trending stories, explainers and fun facts, with a quiz for the big ones.
Why Is Thanksgiving on a Thursday?
Thanksgiving has been a Thursday since George Washington's day, and once caused a political fight over which…
Where Did the Name "Black Friday" Come From?
It isn't really about stores going "into the black." The name started with frustrated police officers in…
How the Christmas Tree Became a Tradition
From candlelit trees in Germany to a royal engraving and the first electric lights, here's how the Christmas…
What Is Boxing Day, and Why Is It Called That?
December 26 is a holiday in the UK, Canada, Australia and beyond. The name has nothing to do with sport: it's…
New Year's Resolutions: A 4,000-Year-Old Habit (and How to Keep Yours)
People have made promises at the new year since ancient Babylon. Here's where resolutions came from and what…
Why Personality Quizzes Feel So Accurate
A 1940s classroom experiment explains why a quiz result can feel like it was written just for you, and why…
The 5 Love Languages: What the Research Actually Says
The love languages are a hugely popular way to talk about relationships. Scientists recently took a close…
Introvert, Extrovert or Ambivert? What the Science Says
Most people aren't purely one or the other. Here's how psychologists measure introversion, and why the middle…
Why Your Zodiac Sign Might Not Match the Stars
Earth's slow wobble means the Sun is no longer in the constellation your sign is named after on most…
Why Songs Get Stuck in Your Head (and How to Get Them Out)
Nearly everyone gets earworms. Scientists have studied which songs stick, and a few tricks that actually help.
Are Coin Flips Really 50/50?
A coin toss feels like the definition of fair. Hundreds of thousands of real flips show a tiny but real bias…
Is It True That No Two Snowflakes Are Alike?
A Vermont farmer photographed thousands of snowflakes and never found a match. Physics explains why, with one…
How the Super Bowl Halftime Show Became Music's Biggest Stage
It started with college marching bands. A TV rival and Michael Jackson turned it into the most-watched…
From Aztec Drink to Winter Comfort: The History of Hot Chocolate
Long before marshmallows, chocolate was a bitter, spicy drink in Mesoamerica. Here's how it became the cozy…
Why We Rewatch the Same Christmas Movies Every Year
You know every line, and you'll watch it again anyway. Psychologists say that's not a waste of time: it's…
Where Does the New Year Start First?
The new year sweeps around the planet for 26 hours. Here's who celebrates first, who's last, and the…