0
Skip to Content
Today You Should Know
👋 About
🫁 Anatomy
🌌 Astronomy
🦠 Biology
🧪 Chemistry
🎭 Culture
🔧 Engineering
🍟 Food & Drink
📜 History
✍️ Language
🧵 Life Skills
🧮 Math
🎹 Music
🧲 Physics
🧠 Psychology
🏛️ Public Policy
⚙️ Technology
🐋 Zoology
All Articles
Surprise Me!
🤔 Submit a Question
📚 Book Recommendations
🦄 Weird Wikipedia
Subscribe
Today You Should Know
👋 About
🫁 Anatomy
🌌 Astronomy
🦠 Biology
🧪 Chemistry
🎭 Culture
🔧 Engineering
🍟 Food & Drink
📜 History
✍️ Language
🧵 Life Skills
🧮 Math
🎹 Music
🧲 Physics
🧠 Psychology
🏛️ Public Policy
⚙️ Technology
🐋 Zoology
All Articles
Surprise Me!
🤔 Submit a Question
📚 Book Recommendations
🦄 Weird Wikipedia
Subscribe
👋 About
Folder: 📝 Articles
Back
🫁 Anatomy
🌌 Astronomy
🦠 Biology
🧪 Chemistry
🎭 Culture
🔧 Engineering
🍟 Food & Drink
📜 History
✍️ Language
🧵 Life Skills
🧮 Math
🎹 Music
🧲 Physics
🧠 Psychology
🏛️ Public Policy
⚙️ Technology
🐋 Zoology
All Articles
Surprise Me!
🤔 Submit a Question
📚 Book Recommendations
🦄 Weird Wikipedia
Subscribe
Why do cartoon characters have four fingers?
History, Psychology, Culture Caitlin Olson 12/11/25 History, Psychology, Culture Caitlin Olson 12/11/25

Why do cartoon characters have four fingers?

There’s a handful of reasons

Read More
Why do cranes have flags on them?
Culture, Policy, Technology Caitlin Olson 11/6/25 Culture, Policy, Technology Caitlin Olson 11/6/25

Why do cranes have flags on them?

Lifting heavy objects (and national pride)

Read More
Why do we say "achoo" when we sneeze?
Language, Anatomy, Culture Caitlin Olson 10/30/25 Language, Anatomy, Culture Caitlin Olson 10/30/25

Why do we say "achoo" when we sneeze?

Or “AHHHH-CHOOOOO!!!!” if you’re a dad

Read More
Where does "hunky-dory" come from?
History, Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 5/29/25 History, Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 5/29/25

Where does "hunky-dory" come from?

It certainly doesn’t have a “hunky-dory” past

Read More
Why does America use a MM/DD/YY date format?
History, Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/14/24 History, Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/14/24

Why does America use a MM/DD/YY date format?

It’s like an American accent but with calendars.

Read More
Why do we call our parents "Mom" and "Dad"?
Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/13/24 Language, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/13/24

Why do we call our parents "Mom" and "Dad"?

Not many folks call their parents “Denise” and “Bill.”

Read More
Why is soccer not a popular spectator sport in the United States?
History, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/13/24 History, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/13/24

Why is soccer not a popular spectator sport in the United States?

We Americans sure do like American things.

Read More
Why are motorcycles so loud?
Engineering, Culture, Technology Caitlin Olson 9/13/24 Engineering, Culture, Technology Caitlin Olson 9/13/24

Why are motorcycles so loud?

VROOM!

Read More
Why do we eat cake on birthdays?
History, Food & Drink, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/5/24 History, Food & Drink, Culture Caitlin Olson 9/5/24

Why do we eat cake on birthdays?

Your birthday wish for birthday history has been granted.

Read More
Why is tennis scoring so weird?
History, Culture, Language Caitlin Olson 5/16/24 History, Culture, Language Caitlin Olson 5/16/24

Why is tennis scoring so weird?

You’re gonna “love” this one!

Read More
Why doesn't the U.S. use the metric system?
Science, History, Culture, Policy Caitlin Olson 4/11/24 Science, History, Culture, Policy Caitlin Olson 4/11/24

Why doesn't the U.S. use the metric system?

The metric vs. imperial debate has gone on since the inception of the United States. And it begins with pirates (seriously).

Read More
Why do harmonies sound good?
Science, Music, Math, Psychology, Culture Caitlin Olson 4/10/24 Science, Music, Math, Psychology, Culture Caitlin Olson 4/10/24

Why do harmonies sound good?

Our brains crave balance, order, and symmetry.

Read More
Why is Shakespeare still taught in high school today?
Literature, History, Culture, Policy Caitlin Olson 4/5/24 Literature, History, Culture, Policy Caitlin Olson 4/5/24

Why is Shakespeare still taught in high school today?

Plus why labor laws are the reason you were taught Romeo and Juliet in 9th grade.

Read More
GIF of Past Newsletter Articles

Curious about how the world works?

Today You Should Know is a free weekly email newsletter designed to help you learn something new every Friday in 5 minutes or less.

Subscribe today 👇

Today You Should Know is a labor of love by Caitlin.

Learn five facts about Caitlin.

Caitlin

Recent Articles

About

Book Recommendations

Privacy Policy