Curious Questions

Curious Questions: What actually is a Blue Moon? And is it really blue?

It's a phrase which gets bandied around all the time, but what does a 'Blue Moon' actually consist of? And does it really look any bluer than a normal moon?

Curious Questions: How do you survive the Summer Season?

Potential faux pas abound in a British summer, but is it possible to find your way through to September unscathed? The answer is yes, says Rupert Uloth, so long as you always carry a brolly, know how to share a carriage with The Queen and own at least seven hats. Here are his tips.

Curious Questions: Why do we as a nation put so much faith in lucky charms?

Horatio Nelson had one, as did Capt Cook and flying ace Douglas Bader. The British Army has several. Jeremy Hobson explores the effect of horseshoes, rabbit’s feet, mascots and other lucky charms.

Curious Questions: What caused Tulipmania?

Curious Questions: Why does Easter move dates every year?

Phoebe Bath researches why exactly Easter is a called a 'moveable feast'.

Curious Questions: Why do we eat hot cross buns at Easter?

Annunciata Elwes traces the curious history of the hot cross bun in Britain.

Curious Questions: How are hailstones formed? And how big can they get?

Inspired by the recent wacky weather, Martin Fone — author of 50 Curious Questions — turns his gaze to what is undoubtedly the strangest form of precipitation: hail.

Curious Questions: Why is an artist's final performance called their 'swansong'?

Curious Questions: How do you make soufflés that don't collapse?

Soufflés have such a reputation for being difficult that many of us don’t even attempt them. Debora Robertson says we should feel the fear and cook them anyway, armed with these secrets for success.

Curious Questions: Are flamenco's finest the fastest dancers in the world?

Curious Questions: Did a double decker bus really jump over Tower Bridge?

London's most famous bridge is 125 years old in 2019, but for all the marvellous facts there's only really one story anybody wants to hear. Is it true that a double decker bus once cleared the gap as the bridge was opening?

Curious Questions: Why do brides throw their bouquets? And wear white? And wear something old, new, borrowed and blue?

Curious Questions: Why does nobody know where Christopher Columbus is buried?

He's one of the most famous human beings ever to walk the planet, but the final resting place of the Genoese explorer Christopher Columbus remains shrouded in mystery. Martin Fone, author of 50 Curious Questions, investigates.

Curious Questions: Do delicious hams from little acorns grow?

Jamón Iberico is undeniably delicious – and undeniably pricey. Martin Fone took a trip to Spain to find out how it gets that way.

Curious Questions: Why is walking down the middle of the road called 'jaywalking'?

Curious Questions: One for sorrow, two for joy – but why are we so superstitious about magpies?

Superstitions swirl around all manner of different birds, but never more so than with magpies. We take a look at why.

Curious Questions: Can a swan really break your arm?

We’ve all heard the famous old wives' tale – but is there any truth to it, or is it merely a ploy to keep small fingers away from snapping beaks? Alexandra Fraser finds out.

Curious Questions: Has the tea cosy gone forever?

Is it all over for the once ubiquitous tea cosy? Debora Robertson investigates.

Curious Questions: Why is New Year called 'Hogmanay' in Scotland?

For as long as anyone can remember, New Year – Hogmanay – has been a bigger deal to those living north of Anglo-Scottish border. Jason Goodwin explains why, and takes a look at the curious origins of this name.