Mysterious Origins- "A Bunch of Bologna" and "The Whole Ball of Wax"

Frequently Asked Questions Compendium

How far away from the lightning bolt can you hear the thunder?  Generally thunder can not be heard much farther away than 10 miles from its source.  In a crowded city with a lot of ambient noise, it is only audible from 1 to 2 miles away.

What is heat lightning? It is the reflection of regular lightning off atmospheric dust layers from distant thunderstorms below the horizon.

Hamburg, Germany

What is America's favorite cold cut?  Bologna







Why is a hamburger called a "hamburger" when it doesn't contain ham?  Because it is not named after the meat but after the city  where it was popularized--Hamburg, Germany.

What causes bags under the eyes?  Heredity; Fluid retention; Aging; Two many smiles and frowns; Shadows cast from overhead lighting.

Do the digits in a Social Security card have any particular significance?  Under the current system, the first three numbers indicate the state of residence when the number was issued.  The remaining digits now have no meaning.  Before 1973, Social Security numbers were assigned by local Social Security offices.  The first three numbers were assigned based on the location of the Social Security office rather than the residence.

Why does TV Guide start its listings on Saturdays?  When TV Guide first began in 1953, Saturday was one of the nights that attracted the greatest number of television viewers.





Where does the wax go in dripless candles?  Into the flame itself.  Dripless candles use hard paraffin wax and longer wicks, so that no wax is in direct contact with the flame and so the wax around the wick won't melt or drip.

What is the purpose of the small hole in the barrel of cheap stick pens?  If no air was allowed to enter the assembly and the parts of the pen were airtight, the pen would not write.  The hole also serves to equalize the pressure inside and outside the pen.  Without equalized pressure, sensitive ball point pens tend not to write and start leaking.
 


Why is the hot water faucet on the left and the cold water faucet on the right?  At one time, there was only cold running water in houses, and since most people are right handed, the faucet went on the right.  When hot running water was introduced, it made sense to keep the cold on the right and place the hot on the left.