Culture & Traditions

It doesn't get more awkward than the check arriving and no one knows who's paying for what. Is it rude to expect birthday guests to pay for their own meal?

By Alia Hoyt

The prosperity gospel is one of the most popular forms of Christianity in the entire world. But where did it come from and how did it get so big? And why do critics say it gives a false picture of Christianity?

By Dave Roos

Are Catholic priests more prone to becoming sexual predators because they take a vow of chastity? Or was the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the church not unique to the religious institution at all?

By Diana Brown

Which of these would you like to see on your computer keyboard?

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Parson Brown? Yuletide? Do you have a clue what the lyrics of Christmas carols are talking about?

By Christopher Hassiotis

Until now, it would be difficult to find a tattoo artist willing to ink your loved one's DNA into your skin. But times are changing in the tattoo world.

By Jesslyn Shields

Although there's no official record that the late Fats Domino and Chubby Checker ever met, these music legends have common ground.

By Laurie L. Dove

Each country has its own unique way of celebrating the Christmas season. Learn about Christmas traditions around the world, from England to Ethiopia.

By Sarah Toast

Megachurches and prosperity gospel teach parishioners if you pray for it ... it will come.

By Diana Brown

Middle names aren't a purely modern invention, so why do we still have them?

By Laurie L. Dove

Hazing is traditionally associated with college pranks, but it's gotten deadlier over the past two decades. It's also spread to high schools and other institutions. What accounts for this increase and why do people allow themselves to be hazed?

By Dave Roos

You were probably used to red squiggles showing up for spelling errors and green ones for grammatical errors in Microsoft Word documents. But why was the red usually right and the green usually wrong?

By Dave Roos

From claims of secret bank accounts created by the government to exemptions from federal law, sovereign citizen beliefs seem outlandish. But is there any truth to them?

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

What does Boston have against the letter R? Why do Minnesotans sometimes drag out the 'O' sound? And what about the Noo Yawk accent?

By Mark Mancini

Kim Jong Un called Donald Trump a dotard. Here are some equally entertaining, out-of-date options the 45th president could've thrown back in his face.

By Christopher Hassiotis

The Danish people are among the happiest on the planet. Here are 5 reasons why.

By Dave Roos

Some turn to faith healing as a last resort when ill, and others rely on it solely to provide a miracle cure. But can it really treat the sick?

By Ed Grabianowski

Women in the late Stone and early Bronze Ages in Europe probably traveled long distances and spread new ideas and objects, more so than their male counterparts.

By Jesslyn Shields

What's the meaning behind how we spell theater and theatre? And does it really matter?

By Mark Mancini

Children as young as 10 are being married (or forced into marriage) in the United States. And it's perfectly legal.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

The tradition dates back centuries, but an aging population of workers and dwindling profits endanger the free-diving culture.

By Laurie L. Dove

The world boasts about 7,000 languages. Close to half are threatened with extinction.

By John Donovan

The annual World Gravy Wrestling Championship sees grapplers go head to head in a savory meat sauce on the last Monday each August.

By Christopher Hassiotis

A segment of young men are separating themselves from society out of frustration with the poor economy and a strong feminist ethos.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Matchmakers have paired up couples for centuries, and it doesn't seem as though laxer social rules and online dating has slackened their market. From traditional shadchans to professional Cupids, what does the modern matchmaker do?

By Cristen Conger & Kathryn Whitbourne