There are a lot of things that happen in the world that make you wonder “Why is it like that?” Kevin & Jenna are here to answer these questions and solve these Mundane Mysteries.
Tune in weekdays at 2:30pm to find out answers to questions you never knew you had.
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why are candy canes so popular during the Christmas season?
You may have already eaten a few candy canes this year. It’s certainly the season for it. But why? The National Confectioners Association (yes, a real thing) says it all started with a choirmaster in a church who originally gave the red and white peppermint sticks to young children to keep them quiet during the…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: When does the 12 Days of Christmas actually start?
I wonder this every time I hear the song. When are we supposed to start the “12 days” in the “The 12 Days of Christmas”? I always thought it was before or sometime in early December. Nope. It is actually about the 12 days AFTER Christmas, not before. The last day always ends on January…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What country is the North Pole in?
Santa is busy up in the North Pole getting ready for his big trip next weekend. But where exactly is the North Pole? Which country? Kind of a trick question since no country owns the North Pole currently. It actually exists in international waters. The closest land is the Canadian territory of Nunavut and Greenland…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we decorate with poinsettias during Christmas time?
Poinsettias are a really beautiful plant, but why are they so popular to decorate with at Christmas time? Besides the obvious fact that they are Christmas colors, red and green. The poinsettia story all goes back to plant’s native Mexico, where legend has it a little girl left some seeds from a weed as a…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What is the snow in snow globes made of?
Now that you’ve pulled all of your snow globes out from the basement to put on display for the holidays you’ve probably been wondering what the snow particles are made of? No? You’re not? Well I’m going to tell you anyway… The snow, or the technical term for it “flitter”, was originally bone chips or…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why do we say both “gift” and “present” during the holidays?
Is there a difference whether we give a “gift” or a “present?” That is today’s Mundane Mystery. Th two words came from different language families. Gift comes from the old German root word for “to give.” It refers to the act of giving but also to the thing being given. The term “present” was from…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Where did “eggnog” get its name?
One of the most festive drinks this time of year… delicious eggnog. But where did that silly name come from? Eggnog is a beverage that originated back in medieval Britain times. They would make it as a hot, milky, ale-like drink made with egg and figs. Legend has it that the “nog” comes from “noggin,”…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What exactly is “figgy pudding”?
It’s that time of year, we’ve all heard the song “please bring us some figgy pudding… please bring us some figgy pudding…” but what exactly is figgy pudding? Would I even want it? It actually does sound kind of tasty. It’s a rich boiled pudding cake made with flour, suet, figs, and other dried fruit.…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why is everything red in stores during the holidays?
Christmas is around the corner, the holiday season is here. That means you’re probably shopping nonstop lately. But why is “red” the color every store decides to use for decorations and ads this time of year? There have been research studies done by the retail industry which show that consumers spend more money when they…… Continue Reading
MUNDANE MYSTERIES: What are baby spiders called?
I don’t know about you but I always think of spiders full grown or in eggs. Never as babies. But obviously they have to grow up into adult spiders. So what does one call a baby spider? The official name for spiders that have yet to reach maturity yet is “spinderlings”. How adorable! Maybe that…… Continue Reading