Questions 501-600

Answers

501. What's the origin of miles and yards?

502. Why are races always run in a counterclockwise direction?

503. Why are Communists so fond of the color red?

504. Why do they call it a "station wagon?"

505. Why did this guy Phillips think we needed a new type of screw?

506. Why do we sleep?

507. In statues, does the number of feet the horse has off the ground indicate the fate of the rider?

508. Why is there supposed to be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

509. Where does the phrase "the dickens" come from?

510. Why is "Fido" a common name for a dog?

511. Why do bubbles stream from fixed spots in glasses of beer or soda pop?

512. Why does head hair grow indefinitely but other body hair doesn't?

513. Is the earth getting heavier or lighter?

514. Why do men's and women's shirts button on different sides?

515. What's the origin of the word "denim"?

516. Did Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII, have a sixth finger and a third breast?

517. Where did the Grateful Dead get their name?

518. Is time travel possible?

519. Do cow and termite flatulence threaten the earth's atmosphere?

520. Hitler was building the Third Reich. What were Reichs One and Two?

521. Why are moths attracted to bright lights?

522. Did somebody once go aloft in a lawn chair tied to a bunch of helium balloons?

523. What's the origin of "honky?"

524. Why are pound and ounce abbreviated "lb." and "oz.?"

525. How did Uri Geller bend spoons?

526. Where did the name "Dixie" come from?

527. Can you pay $35 to get a star named after you?

528. What's the story on Freemasonry?

529. Why is some vegetable oil "partially hydrogenated?"

530. What happens when you "see stars?"

531. Is it true men can suffer penile fracture?

532. What's the origin of the term "polka dots?"

533. How do lava lamps work?

534. Can spy satellites read the headlines of a newspaper on a park bench?

535. What are the dreams of the blind like?

536. Why aren't you supposed to use a radio receiver on an airliner?

537. You say the earth is round? Prove it.

538. How many people have lived on earth since the dawn of time?

539. Why are the floors of a building called "stories?"

540. Are ships' captains allowed to marry people at sea?

541. What's the connection between Easter and rabbits?

542. What's the origin of "the whole nine yards?"

543. Why is, um, fecal matter brown?

544. Why do outhouse doors have half-moons on them?

545. What is, or was, the purpose of men's neckties?

546. Did Hitler have only one testicle?

547. Can you write a cheque on any old piece of paper?

548. Did Marie Antoinette really say "let them eat cake"?

549. Why are yawns contagious?

550. Why does a tea kettle get quiet just before the water boils?

551. What did people use before toilet paper was invented?

552. What is the origin of the word "Yankee?"

553. What's the origin of "brand-new?"

554. What are those threads that float in your field of vision?

555. Why do we nod our heads for "yes" and shake them for "no?"

556. Who decided red means "stop" and green means "go?"

557. Did Dracula really exist?

558. How come valentine hearts don't look anything like real hearts?

559. Do you weigh more or less after you fart?

560. Can you open an airliner emergency door while the plane is in mid-air?

561. What happened to all the gold Spain got from the New World?

562. Are dogs unable to see 2-D images (mirrors, photos, TV)?

563. Is chocolate an aphrodisiac?

564. What is the origin of the peace symbol?

565. Was there really a Robin Hood?

566. What's the origin of the word "hobo?"

567. Why does my body jerk when I'm falling asleep?

568. What are the long term health effects of marijuana?

569. Does average human penis length vary among ethnic groups?

570. What's the origin of "kangaroo court"? Is "kangaroo" aborigine for "I don't know?"

571. What's actually cracking when you crack your knuckles?

572. What's the origin of the "F" word?

573. Why do we have sinuses?

574. If everyone in China jumped off chairs at once, would the earth be thrown out of its orbit?

575. Would a glass of water in space freeze or boil?

576. Will all humans one day be the same colour?

577. Does a pig really have a corkscrew-shaped penis?

578. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

579. What's the origin of "Third World"? What are the first and second worlds?

580. What, literally, makes us laugh?

581. Is it possible for someone to be tickled to death?

582. What's the best place to avoid getting killed in a nuclear war?

583. What's the deal with monks taking vows of silence?

584. How come you can see through glass?

585. Are viral infections most contagious before or after symptoms appear?

586. Is it possible to hypnotize a chicken?

587. Does Mrs. Mantis bite Mr. Mantis's head off during The Act?

588. What's the story of Schroedinger's cat?

589. Where does Muzak come from, anyway?

590. Why is the sky blue?

591. How does a gas pump know to shut itself off?

592. Why was the pirate flag called the "Jolly Roger?"

593. Who decided the day should be divided into 24 hours?

594. Why do men keep their bottom vest buttons unbuttoned?

595. In movie credits, what are the "gaffer" and the "best boy?"

596. What does the G in G-string stand for?

597. Why are thin wires strung along the tops of high-voltage transmission towers?

598. What's the origin of the suit designations on playing cards?

599. Is it true about Catherine the Great and the horse?

600. Why does hair turn gray?