MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Are Liquors Called “Spirits”?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Are Liquors Called “Spirits”?

Ever wondered, while sitting at a bar or enjoying an adult beverage at home, why liquors are called “spirits”? I mean, sure…the way people act after a few shots of vodka may make it seem like they’ve been possessed by a ghost or demon. But is that the reason some refer to gin, tequila, whiskey,…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do We Observe Daylight Savings Time?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do We Observe Daylight Savings Time?

Whether it’s “Springing Forward” or “Falling Back”, you’ve probably wondered at one point or another, “What even is Daylight Saving Time? And why does it exist?” Founding father Benjamin Franklin was actually the first to suggest DST, back in 1784, as a money-saving ploy in one of his satirical essays. But, while Franklin was mostly…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Is A Placebo?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Is A Placebo?

When people heard the word “PLACEBO” back in the 1200s, there were no sugar pills or clinical trials. Actually, “placebo” had nothing at all to do with medicine back then. In reality, for members of the Roman Catholic Church (which was most folks back in those days), “placebo” would more likely have made them think…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Is A Nor’Easter?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What Is A Nor’Easter?

Whenever a forecaster says anything about a pending “nor’easter” during a weather report, stores start selling out of batteries, milk, and bread. For a lot of folks, nor’easter basically means “a really big storm”. And that’s not wrong, since nor’easters have earned their bad-boy reputation. But what makes a really big storm a nor’easter? According…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why “The Proof Is In The Pudding”

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why “The Proof Is In The Pudding”

You could definitely ask your buddy whether The Godfather Part II is as good as everyone says it is, but you’ll never know for sure unless you sit through all four hours of it & see it for yourself. After all, the best way to determine the something’s value is to experience it firsthand, right?…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: “For Pete’s Sake!”

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: “For Pete’s Sake!”

Whenever you hear an old saying, like “letting the cat out of the bag”, does it ever make you think “for Pete’s sake, what does it mean”? But then you think, “why did I just say that? What does ‘for Pete’s sake’ even mean?” Who’s this Pete character, and why should I care about his…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do We Call It A “Honeymoon”?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do We Call It A “Honeymoon”?

A honeymoon is the best part of any wedding. Heck, it’s the best part of any marriage. But where did the term “honeymoon” first come from? The word comes from the Old English “hony moone.” Honey refers to the “indefinite period of tenderness & pleasure experienced by a newly-wed couple,” and how sweet the new…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Dogs Drool So Much

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Dogs Drool So Much

We love our fur-babies. Even when they race through the house soaking wet after a bath…when they steal your spot on the couch…and, yes, even when they drool, we love them. About that drool, though. It can be a lot. All dogs do it, but some breeds can fill up an entire swimming pool with…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Jealousy Vs. Envy

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Jealousy Vs. Envy

They can be two of the most confusing definitions to understand, much less explain: what exactly is the difference between jealousy & envy? Basically, we usually use “jealousy” to describe the feeling of worry we get when it seems someone’s coming for what’s ours. “Envy”, on the other hand, is the opposite. It’s when YOU…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: The Truth About That One “Orange” Drink

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: The Truth About That One “Orange” Drink

There’s usually a good reason whenever food labels are vague. That’s exactly the case when it comes to Sunny D. Because, while it may be orange & seem like juice, it’s not actually orange juice. So, what is Sunny D really? Sunny D calls itself “orange-flavored citrus punch”. But in reality, it barely resembles anything…