unresolved · 19 questions (7.8% of 245)
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Why are the floors of a building called "stories"?
Episode 191: The More You Don't Know · August 31, 2024 (00:38)
Our guess
Each level was a "store" (a shop or storage) that got spelled "story", or a Latin root shared with "story", from the 1600s.
Each level was a "store" (a shop or storage) that got spelled "story", or a Latin root shared with "story", from the 1600s.
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The answer
The origin is unclear. Theories include medieval painted windows or walls that told stories ("historia"), the Old French "estoree" meaning something built (one built on top of another), and floors used for storing goods.
The origin is unclear. Theories include medieval painted windows or walls that told stories ("historia"), the Old French "estoree" meaning something built (one built on top of another), and floors used for storing goods.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "feeling froggy" come from?
Episode 187: They Do Swimming · January 13, 2024 (00:40)
Our guess
A Navy SEAL "frogman" phrase for being jumpy, or from Florida in the 1990s or internet memes.
A Navy SEAL "frogman" phrase for being jumpy, or from Florida in the 1990s or internet memes.
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The answer
The origin is unknown. It means being jumpy or ready to act, as in "if you're feeling froggy, jump", with mentions in mountain speech in North Carolina as early as 1955 and a possible tie to a Navy SEAL ballad.
The origin is unknown. It means being jumpy or ready to act, as in "if you're feeling froggy, jump", with mentions in mountain speech in North Carolina as early as 1955 and a possible tie to a Navy SEAL ballad.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the restaurant term "86" come from?
Episode 132: Everybody Poops · March 5, 2022 (01:13)
Our guess
Restaurant ordering codes, a nautical term related to "deep six", or 1910s mobster or police code.
Restaurant ordering codes, a nautical term related to "deep six", or 1910s mobster or police code.
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The answer
The origin is unknown. Theories include 86 Bedford Street (a Prohibition-era bar with a crooked cop), the dimensions of a grave (8 feet by 6 feet), Article 86 of the military code (AWOL), the F-86 jet, rhyming slang for "nix", and 86-proof liquor.
The origin is unknown. Theories include 86 Bedford Street (a Prohibition-era bar with a crooked cop), the dimensions of a grave (8 feet by 6 feet), Article 86 of the military code (AWOL), the F-86 jet, rhyming slang for "nix", and 86-proof liquor.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "the whole shebang" come from?
Episode 131: Kazoo On Lock · February 26, 2022 (01:34)
Our guess
An explosion or "bang", from World War II bombs or the 1920s.
An explosion or "bang", from World War II bombs or the 1920s.
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The answer
The origin is unknown. The word appears for a hut in Walt Whitman in 1862 and a vehicle in Mark Twain in 1872, with "entire shebang" in print in 1872. It might come from the Irish "shebeen" (an unlicensed tavern), but Merriam-Webster calls it a puzzle with no verifiable link.
The origin is unknown. The word appears for a hut in Walt Whitman in 1862 and a vehicle in Mark Twain in 1872, with "entire shebang" in print in 1872. It might come from the Irish "shebeen" (an unlicensed tavern), but Merriam-Webster calls it a puzzle with no verifiable link.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "raining cats and dogs" come from?
Episode 121: Sharknado Break · November 27, 2021 (00:31)
Our guess
Cats and dogs fighting (chaos), animals washed off thatched roofs, or dead animals washed through medieval streets.
Cats and dogs fighting (chaos), animals washed off thatched roofs, or dead animals washed through medieval streets.
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The answer
The etymology is unknown. Theories include Norse mythology (dogs and wolves symbolized wind and storms), the Greek "katadoupe" (waterfall) or "kata doxa" (contrary to belief), and a false thatched-roof theory. Similar phrases appear in the 1650s ("dogs and polecats") and Jonathan Swift used it in 1738.
The etymology is unknown. Theories include Norse mythology (dogs and wolves symbolized wind and storms), the Greek "katadoupe" (waterfall) or "kata doxa" (contrary to belief), and a false thatched-roof theory. Similar phrases appear in the 1650s ("dogs and polecats") and Jonathan Swift used it in 1738.
Verdict unresolved
Where did fantasy races like orcs, elves and goblins come from, and why are they standardized?
Episode 117: Hobbier · October 30, 2021 (00:30)
Our guess
Oral tradition and Norse folklore, standardized by Tolkien and Dungeons & Dragons in the 20th century.
Oral tradition and Norse folklore, standardized by Tolkien and Dungeons & Dragons in the 20th century.
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The answer
No single origin was found. Many come from folklore (elves from Norse mythology), and the hosts agreed that Tolkien and D&D codified them. They appear as archetypes that have "always been in the ether".
No single origin was found. Many come from folklore (elves from Norse mythology), and the hosts agreed that Tolkien and D&D codified them. They appear as archetypes that have "always been in the ether".
Verdict unresolved
Why isn't every animal an elephant, since they are big, smart and have no real predators?
Episode 101: We, Being Elephant People? · July 10, 2021 (00:31)
Our guess
Resource limits and slow reproduction, ecosystem diversity, and humans hunting big animals.
Resource limits and slow reproduction, ecosystem diversity, and humans hunting big animals.
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The answer
No single answer. Elephants gestate for about two years and have one calf at a time, and their calorie demands cap population growth. Different species use different survival strategies (many offspring vs. few), and ecosystems depend on diversity. Humans are now the main predator of elephants.
No single answer. Elephants gestate for about two years and have one calf at a time, and their calorie demands cap population growth. Different species use different survival strategies (many offspring vs. few), and ecosystems depend on diversity. Humans are now the main predator of elephants.
Verdict unresolved
If a poisonous snake bites you, should you suck out the venom?
Episode 83: Unless You're a Porn Star · March 6, 2021 (00:30)
Our guess
No, it doesn't help and wastes precious minutes; get to medical care, and a tourniquet is a better option.
No, it doesn't help and wastes precious minutes; get to medical care, and a tourniquet is a better option.
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No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved
How did people get around before cell phones and GPS?
Episode 76: Megatron · January 16, 2021 (01:07)
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The answer
Not a researched question. The group recalled paper maps and atlases, AAA TripTik flip-books, asking strangers, memorized exit numbers, MapQuest printouts, payphones, and relying on friends with a good sense of direction.
Not a researched question. The group recalled paper maps and atlases, AAA TripTik flip-books, asking strangers, memorized exit numbers, MapQuest printouts, payphones, and relying on friends with a good sense of direction.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "face the music" come from?
Episode 63: Darth Weber · October 17, 2020 (01:04)
Our guess
Either an actor facing the orchestra pit and the audience, or soldiers marching into battle to drums and fifes (or being drummed out of the army).
Either an actor facing the orchestra pit and the audience, or soldiers marching into battle to drums and fifes (or being drummed out of the army).
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The answer
The origin is unknown. Theories include stage fright before the orchestra pit, soldiers being drummed out of the army, and peasants singing critical songs from church West Galleries. The earliest print citation found is an 1834 New Hampshire newspaper.
The origin is unknown. Theories include stage fright before the orchestra pit, soldiers being drummed out of the army, and peasants singing critical songs from church West Galleries. The earliest print citation found is an 1834 New Hampshire newspaper.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the term "cottonmouth" (dry mouth) come from?
Episode 52: Reverse Tourniquet · August 1, 2020 (00:32)
Our guess
It feels like cotton in your mouth; possibly from dentists' gauze, the Wild West, or the snake.
It feels like cotton in your mouth; possibly from dentists' gauze, the Wild West, or the snake.
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The answer
No origin was found. The medical term is xerostomia, and the term probably circulated informally until it was written down, possibly in the 1960s.
No origin was found. The medical term is xerostomia, and the term probably circulated informally until it was written down, possibly in the 1960s.
Verdict unresolved
What is a "live caviar experience"?
Episode 49: Fish Conception · July 11, 2020 (01:08)
Our guess
A sturgeon is opened up in front of you and the eggs are scooped out and eaten fresh, perhaps with locals on a dock.
A sturgeon is opened up in front of you and the eggs are scooped out and eaten fresh, perhaps with locals on a dock.
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The answer
No definitive answer was found. The hosts learned that "no-kill caviar" is a newer trend in which the sturgeon is massaged to release eggs, and that caviar was prized by Greek, Roman and Russian elites, with the priciest from a 100-year-old fish at about $1,000 an ounce.
No definitive answer was found. The hosts learned that "no-kill caviar" is a newer trend in which the sturgeon is massaged to release eggs, and that caviar was prized by Greek, Roman and Russian elites, with the priciest from a 100-year-old fish at about $1,000 an ounce.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "cat got your tongue" come from?
Episode 42: Earmuffs · May 23, 2020 (06:49)
Our guess
A hairball-like sound when you stumble over words, or lions in the Colosseum.
A hairball-like sound when you stumble over words, or lions in the Colosseum.
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The answer
Not settled. Theories include the cat o' nine tails silencing victims, ancient Egyptians feeding liars' tongues to cats, and a witch's cat stealing tongues. It first appears in print in an 1881 magazine.
Not settled. Theories include the cat o' nine tails silencing victims, ancient Egyptians feeding liars' tongues to cats, and a witch's cat stealing tongues. It first appears in print in an 1881 magazine.
Verdict unresolved
Where does the phrase "don't have a pot to piss in" come from?
Episode 37: Find a Tree · April 18, 2020 (00:30)
Our guess
Medieval chamber pots, perhaps Chaucer-era, or the Great Depression in America.
Medieval chamber pots, perhaps Chaucer-era, or the Great Depression in America.
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The answer
No firm origin was found. A popular story about selling urine to tanneries is dubious, and the Oxford English Dictionary calls the phrase chiefly American, with a first citation from a 1934 typescript of Djuna Barnes' Nightwood. One source dates it to about 1905.
No firm origin was found. A popular story about selling urine to tanneries is dubious, and the Oxford English Dictionary calls the phrase chiefly American, with a first citation from a 1934 typescript of Djuna Barnes' Nightwood. One source dates it to about 1905.
Verdict unresolved
Why do we measure rain in inches instead of by volume?
Episode 28: The Angel Sniper · February 15, 2020 (00:00)
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The answer
Not directly answered; the hosts only found that the standardized instrument is called a pluviometer (or ombrometer).
Not directly answered; the hosts only found that the standardized instrument is called a pluviometer (or ombrometer).
Verdict unresolved
Why don't basketball teams throw the ball out of bounds when a player gets hurt, like in soccer?
Episode 26: Day of the Marmot · February 1, 2020 (00:33)
Our guess
A scoring chance in basketball comes quickly, the injured team can call timeout, and the game's rough-and-tumble origins may play a role.
A scoring chance in basketball comes quickly, the injured team can call timeout, and the game's rough-and-tumble origins may play a role.
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No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved
What makes an animal domesticated?
Episode 6: Like a Chorizo · September 14, 2019 (02:50)
Our guess
Being specifically bred for domestication, not just able to survive in the wild.
Being specifically bred for domestication, not just able to survive in the wild.
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No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved
Most-Googled question in D.C.: where is Obama today?
Episode 2: Swirling Liquid Metal Oceans · August 22, 2019 (02:11)
Our guess
On the campaign trail in a swing state such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Colorado or North Carolina.
On the campaign trail in a swing state such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Colorado or North Carolina.
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No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved
Most-Googled question in Oregon: should I move to Portland?
Episode 2: Swirling Liquid Metal Oceans · August 22, 2019 (02:56)
Our guess
"Hells yes."
"Hells yes."
Reveal the answer
No answer was established.
Verdict unresolved