Always Wondered

In this episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck.  How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate?   Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened!   We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”?  (Hint:  it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck.  How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate?   Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened!   We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”?  (Hint:  it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode, we explore why we blush.  We’ll break down the science to explain the reason your face turns the color of a fire truck every time you do something the least bit embarrassing.  Also - hear the strange but true tale of America’s very first war.  And, no, it wasn’t against the British.  This enemy was much smaller and much fluffier!   Plus - with football season here again, we tackle one of the sport’s greatest mysteries. Why do quarterbacks yell “hut”?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  Hear More Episodes at ThePodcastPlayground.com/Always-Wondered  

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we blush. We’ll break down the science to explain the reason your face turns the color of a fire truck every time you do something the least bit embarrassing. Also - hear the strange but true tale of America’s very first war. And, no, it wasn’t against the British. This enemy was much smaller and much fluffier! Plus - with football seasonhere again, we tackle one of the sport’s greatest mysteries. Why do quarterbacks yell “hut”? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?  We’ve got the minute-by-minute details.  Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far!  Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”.  (Spoiler alert:  it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?  We’ve got the minute-by-minute details.  Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far!  Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”.  (Spoiler alert:  it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl.  Is it evolution?  Culture?  Or are we just a bunch of wimps?  Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages.  It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere.  And, oh yeah, they were green!  Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this upcoming episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl.  Is it evolution?  Culture?  Or are we just a bunch of wimps?  Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages.  It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere.  And, oh yeah, they were green!  Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this episode, why do we sleep?  Is it really necessary... or are humans just the world's least efficient appliances?  We have the details.  Also - hear the unusual story of the Oreo.  It’s the sandwich cookie we know and love.    But surprisingly, it wasn’t the first!  We’ll follow the trail of crumbs to bring you the tale.  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  Saved by the Bell.  Who was the original “saver” and “savee?”  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this upcoming episode, why do we sleep?  Is it really necessary... or are humans just the world's least efficient appliances?  We have the details.  Also - hear the unusual story of the Oreo.  It’s the sandwich cookie we know and love.    But surprisingly, it wasn’t the first!  We’ll follow the trail of crumbs to bring you the tale.  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  Saved by the Bell.  Who was the original “saver” and “savee?”  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode, we explore why we kiss. It’s been the subject of countless poems, love songs, and movies. But the reason we started kissing in the first place may be much less “romance novel” and much more “evolutionary glitch”! Also - if you think you’re having a bad day, just wait until you hear the tale of what historians call the worst year to ever be alive! Plus - learn the origin of the “baker’s dozen”. We think of it today as a generous little gesture. But its roots are much stranger! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we kiss. It’s been the subject of countless poems, love songs, and movies. But the reason we started kissing in the first place may be much less “romance novel” and much more “evolutionary glitch”! Also - if you think you’re having a bad day, just wait until you hear the tale of what historians call the worst year to ever be alive! Plus - learn the origin of the “baker’s dozen”. We think of it today as a generous little gesture. But its roots are much stranger! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this episode, we delve into the wardrobe mystery that’s been battling us for generations.  Why are men’s shirt buttons on the right, while women’s are on the left?  Also - we’re serving up the confusing story of who invented the ice cream cone.  Grab a napkin, because the answer is kind of messy!  Plus - why do we call the hottest stretch of the year “the Dog Days of Summer”? Do we blame a pack of ornery Labradoodles, or is it something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we delve into the wardrobe mystery that’s been battling us for generations.  Why are men’s shirt buttons on the right, while women’s are on the left?  Also - we’re serving up the confusing story of who invented the ice cream cone.  Grab a napkin, because the answer is kind of messy!  Plus - why do we call the hottest stretch of the year “the Dog Days of Summer”? Do we blame a pack of ornery Labradoodles, or is it something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this episode, we explore how Dog became man’s best friend.  Learn how this furry little creature became our ultimate sidekick.  Also, discover the surprising history of Play-Doh.  The colorful squishy stuff that has entertained millions of kids was actually created for an entirely different reason!  Plus - when we needed a name to describe the biggest, most exciting movies, they gave us “Blockbuster”.  But the term’s origin had absolutely nothing to do with Hollywood!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we explore how Dog became man’s best friend.  Learn how this furry little creature became our ultimate sidekick.  Also, discover the surprising history of Play-Doh.  The colorful squishy stuff that has entertained millions of kids was actually created for an entirely different reason!  Plus - when we needed a name to describe the biggest, most exciting movies, they gave us “Blockbuster”.  But the term’s origin had absolutely nothing to do with Hollywood!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode, why do we have tonsils?  Are they the body’s first line of defense from infection?  Or are they just hanging out in the back of your throat catching stray popcorn kernels?  We have the answer.   Also, you’ve seen AA, C, and D batteries.  But whatever happened to B?  Did it vanish into witness protection - or was it something else?  We’ll solve the high-tech mystery.  Plus - learn the surprising (and possibly painful) origin of the phrase “light a fire under someone”.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, why do we have tonsils?  Are they the body’s first line of defense from infection?  Or are they just hanging out in the back of your throat catching stray popcorn kernels?  We have the answer.   Also, you’ve seen A, C, and D batteries.  But whatever happened to B?  Did it vanish into witness protection - or was it something else?  We’ll solve the high-tech mystery.  Plus - learn the surprising (and possibly painful) origin of the phrase “light a fire under someone”.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode of Always Wondered, why do we cry?  Humans are the only creatures who can burst into tears when we’re happy, sad, or watching a cooking competition!  We’ll explore why.  Also - there once was a time when you could sing along with all kinds of catchy TV theme songs.  But today they’ve pretty much disappeared.  Learn what happened.  Plus - while slang words like “groovy”, “rad” and “far out” have left the building, hear why “cool” has become the coolest survivor in the English language.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.    

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, why do we cry?  Humans are the only creatures who can burst into tears when we’re happy, sad, or watching a cooking competition!  We’ll explore why.  Also - there once was a time when you could sing along with all kinds of catchy TV theme songs.  But today they’ve pretty much disappeared.  Learn what happened.  Plus - while slang words like “groovy”, “rad” and “far out” have left the building, hear why “cool” has become the coolest survivor in the English language.  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.    

This week on Always Wondered, America is turning 250 years old.  So we’re celebrating two-and-a-half centuries of American ingenuity, accidental success, and just enough chaos to make it all work!  Meet some Founding Fathers who were absolute geniuses…and a wee bit eccentric.  Also - learn about Revolutionary War battles that we had no business winning, but somehow managed to pull off!   Plus, as the nation expanded, the ideas grew bolder and even weirder!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

Coming up on Always Wondered, America is turning 250 years old.  So we’re celebrating two-and-a-half centuries of American ingenuity, accidental success, and just enough chaos to make it all work!  Meet some Founding Fathers who were absolute geniuses…and a wee bit eccentric.  Also - learn about Revolutionary War battles that we had no business winning, but somehow managed to pull off!   Plus, as the nation expanded, the ideas grew bolder and even weirder!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

This week on Always Wondered, why do our stomachs growl when we get hungry?  Is it science - or is your body just trying to embarrass you in public?  Also, we explore how famous movie quotes escaped the theater, took over our brains, and somehow replaced standard human conversation!  Plus - hear the unusual origin of the frozen dinner.  Discover how we invented a meal in a cardboard box so that we never have to look each other in the eye at dinner again!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

This week on Always Wondered, why do our stomachs growl when we get hungry?  Is it science - or is your body just trying to embarrass you in public?  Also, we explore how famous movie quotes escaped the theater, took over our brains, and somehow replaced standard human conversation!  Plus - hear the unusual origin of the frozen dinner.  Discover how we invented a meal in a cardboard box so that we never have to look each other in the eye at dinner again!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode of Always Wondered, we tackle the question:  why do our fingers get all wrinkly when exposed to water?  You may be surprised to learn that evolution had a good reason for those prune-like fingertips.  Also, there was a time when we could receive almost anything by mail order.  And we’ll tell you about some of the strangest items!  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase “someone has a chip on their shoulder.”  (Spoiler alert:  Cool Ranch Doritos were not involved.)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. DORITOS® and COOL RANCH® are registered trademarks of Frito-Lay North America, Inc. (and its subsidiary Recot, Inc.) Hear past episodes of Always Wondered on ThePodcastPlayground.com/Always-Wondered

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, we tackle the question:  why do our fingers get all wrinkly when exposed to water?  You may be surprised to learn that evolution had a good reason for those prune-like fingertips.  Also, there was a time when we could receive almost anything by mail order.  And we’ll tell you about some of the strangest items!  Plus - learn the origin of the phrase “someone has a chip on their shoulder.”  (Spoiler alert:  Cool Ranch Doritos were not involved.)  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. DORITOS® and COOL RANCH® are registered trademarks of Frito-Lay North America, Inc. (and its subsidiary Recot, Inc.) Hear past episodes of Always Wondered on ThePodcastPlayground.com/Always-Wondered

This week on Always Wondered, why are we ticklish?  Is it a beautiful bonding experience, or a biological form of total betrayal?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, we live in an era of creative baby names.  But which ones are actually illegal?  We’ll explore the ultimate dos and don'ts of naming.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “giving someone the cold shoulder”?  Learn how the act of ignoring someone has less to do with a bad attitude and more to do with meat!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

This week on Always Wondered, why are we ticklish?  Is it a beautiful bonding experience, or a biological form of total betrayal?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, we live in an era of creative baby names.  But which ones are actually illegal?  We’ll explore the ultimate naming do’s and don'ts.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “giving someone the cold shoulder”?  Learn how the act of ignoring someone has less to do with a bad attitude and more to do with meat!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode, we explore why we can’t remember being a baby.  And if we could, would we really want to?  Also - learn the origin of the Popsicle®.  Hear how one kid’s accident turned into a frozen treat empire.  Plus - we explore humanity's weird fascination with acronyms.  When did every conversation turn into a high-speed game of Scrabble?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we can’t remember being a baby.  And if we could, would we really want to?  Also - learn the origin of the Popsicle.  Hear how one kid’s accident turned into a frozen treat empire.  Plus - we explore humanity's weird fascination with acronyms.  When did every conversation turn into a high-speed game of Scrabble?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this episode, learn how the telephone helped turn “Hello” into the world’s official awkward conversation starter.  It’s the surprisingly strange origins of both “Hello” and “Goodbye.”  Also, we dive into movie sound effects.  Hear how Hollywood has basically been lying to us for years!  Plus - who invented the bed?  And how did we go from sleeping on dirt to mattresses with Wi-Fi?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, learn how the telephone helped turn “Hello” into the world’s official awkward conversation starter.  It’s the surprisingly strange origins of both “Hello” and “Goodbye.”  Also, we dive into movie sound effects.  Hear how Hollywood has basically been lying to us for years!  Plus - who invented the bed?  And how did we go from sleeping on dirt to mattresses with Wi-Fi?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode, learn how some 19th-century hipsters gave us the most widely used word on the planet.  It’s the weird origin of “okay”.  Also, you may think football and hockey are brutal, but wait till you hear the story of how Americans once played polo…with cars!  Plus, we tackle the reason behind your mouth’s biggest betrayal.  Discover why orange juice tastes so bad after brushing your teeth!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.    

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this upcoming episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this upcoming episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In our upcoming episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

In this episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

In our next episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.   

This week on Always Wondered, we explore your brain’s favorite pastime - Phobias!  Why does something that seems totally harmless suddenly have our knees knocking?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, how come one of your shoelaces always comes untied before the other?  Science has actually studied this, and we’ll have the details.  Plus, we dive into one of the great mysteries of grocery shopping.  Why do hot dogs come ten to a pack, but buns only eight to a pack?  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.