Culture & Traditions

Underappreciated and overworked elves put in a pretty astounding amount of labor during the holidays. Then there are the other duties they must fulfill, like tending to diva reindeer like Rudolph. So do elves thrive on stress, and do they ever get disgruntled?

By John Fuller

Imagine having to deliver toys (and coal) to children all over the world - in just one night. How does the big guy do it?

By John Fuller

He's been called a diva, a hero and a misfit. He's Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. And his ruby-red honker has long been celebrated for guiding Santa and his sleigh through the night. But how does he do it?

By John Fuller

In Taoism, chi refers to the living energy in all things. Kung is a term that refers to the achievements of long practice. Together, as chi kung, these words describe a relationship between someone who cultivates the chi and the discipline they use.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Chi, the life force, is a primal substance that animates the universe in Taoism. Learn more about chi as a Taoist concept and see how chi manifests itself in human experience.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Taoist philosophy attempts to illuminate the interdependency of all things, including life, art, and language. By observing the processes of nature, the Taoists say, we can come to some understanding about the meaning of our lives and about our place in the world.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

What exactly is feng shui? Is it science or superstition? Some dismiss feng shui as Chinese myth or new age, but feng shui advocates say that it can improve everything from harmony in the home to wealth and well-being.

By Tiffany Connors

The meaning of Taoism is more subtle than most religions, arising mostly from mythology. Learn about these philophies and ideas that have survived for almost two thousand years.

By Editors of Consumer Guide

Today, many associate the holiday less with pilgrims and American Indians and more with football and turkey. What's the real story of Thanksgivig Day?

By Allison Klein

The common practice of dressing boys in blue and girls in pink is rooted in tradition. But is there science and biology in this equation, too?

By Josh Clark

The idiom says whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Is it the mysterious power of Murphy's Law, or is it simply people who give the law relevance?

By Josh Clark

From Johnny Appleseed to Paul Bunyan, figures of American folklore continue to inspire and engage. Before the invention on radio and television, people created these characters to help people cope with hard times. Learn more about these legendary figures.

There are many types of angels that make up the spiritual world. Angels are divided into nine different types within three main groups, which are then called choirs. Find out more about these angelic intermediaries for God.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

What may elicit a thumbs up from Miss Manners in the U.S. may not elsewhere in the world. Some cultures do things very different from the way Americans are used to. Learn 13 examples of good and bad manners around the world.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Palindromes are words, phrases or even dates that are spelled the same forward and backward. They don't always make tons of sense, but they're still fun.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

While Saint Peter and Saint Micheal are well-known, there are a number of little-known patron saints. Did you know that there is a patron saint for dentists, ice skaters, bachelors and difficult marriages? Find out more about obscure patron saints.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Everybody has bad days, but fortune seems to have it in for some people. You decide: Are these 10 infamous cases of bad luck coincidences or curses?

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. & Laurie L. Dove

Popular slang terms come and go - and sometimes come back again. Here are some of the most popular slang words of the last 100 years, decade by decade.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. & Desiree Bowie

Pangrams are sentences that use every single letter of the alphabet at least once. They might not all make sense, but these 14 phrases are fun for those of us who love words.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Walter Winchell not only dished the dirt on celebrities and politicians, he also coined some clever phrases. Winchell is considered the forefather of gossip columnists who had a tendency for making up words. Learn 15 terms coined by Walter Winchell.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

If you're headed to the spelling bee, here's a list of words you should have down pat. These words are some of the most common words that people spell incorrectly. Learn 48 commonly misspelled words, only at HowStuffWorks.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

You know genius is all inspiration and perspiration, but it's time to find out what creativity is really about. This list provides some of the most famous quotes that are about creativity and invention. Read 17 favorite quotes on creativity.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Much to our amusement, politicians sometimes get tongue-tied. See our list of 9 political slips of the tongue by presidents and other leaders, including slips by Ronald Reagan and Al Gore.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

People will remember a life well-lived, but a well-written epitaph will render that person unforgettable. Here are 20 of the wittiest and most memorable epitaphs ever written.

By Stephanie Watson & the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

Ron Popeil has made a name for himself by selling unique and quirky items on TV such as the Veg-O-Matic. Popeil is an inventor who has made millions of dollars selling his products through infomercials. See our list of 11 items sold by Ron Popeil.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.