Everyday Enigmas

Why Do We Say “Cheese” When Taking Photos

This episode explores the origins of the familiar command “Say cheese!” and how it became the universal cue for smiling in photos. Early portraits in the 1800s featured serious faces because long camera exposures made smiling impractical. As photography evolved into a faster, more social activity, smiling became a symbol of warmth and happiness.
The word cheese caught on in the 1940s because the “ee” sound naturally stretches the lips into a grin, creating an easy, photogenic smile. The phrase spread through media and celebrity photography until it became a global habit. Other cultures developed their own versions—like “qiézi” (eggplant) in China, “patata” (potato) in Spain, and “kimchi” in Korea—all designed to produce similar mouth shapes.
Psychologically, smiling for photos doesn’t just look pleasant—it can actually boost mood by triggering happy signals in the brain. Today, the “photo smile” has become universal, evolving from a stiff Victorian expression into a symbol of joy, connection, and shared memory.

The Science of Why We Hiccup

This episode explores the quirky phenomenon of hiccups—what causes them and why they’re so hard to stop. Hiccups begin with a sudden spasm of the diaphragm, forcing air into the lungs before the vocal cords snap shut, creating the familiar hic sound. Common triggers include eating too fast, drinking soda, temperature changes, or laughing too hard.
Scientists believe hiccups may be an ancient leftover reflex from early amphibians or a mechanism to help babies release air while feeding. Remedies like holding your breath, swallowing sugar, or getting startled all work by trying to interrupt the body’s “hiccup reflex arc.” While most hiccups are harmless, some historical cases lasted years—like Charles Osborne, who hiccuped for 68 years straight.
In the end, hiccups are one of the body’s most random glitches—annoying, amusing, and still a little mysterious.

Why Do We Kiss Under the Mistletoe

This episode uncovers the curious tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Though mistletoe is technically a parasitic plant, ancient cultures saw it as magical because it stayed green through winter, symbolizing life and fertility. In Norse mythology, it became a symbol of peace and love after the goddess Frigg vowed to kiss anyone who passed beneath it.
The practice evolved further during Roman festivals like Saturnalia, where mistletoe signaled truce and friendship. But the kissing custom as we know it truly took shape in 18th-century England, where partygoers used mistletoe as a playful excuse for holiday affection—each kiss required plucking one berry until none were left.
By the Victorian era, it had become both romantic and socially encouraged, turning awkwardness into tradition. Today, mistletoe is part flirtation, part fun, and part nostalgia—a festive reminder to embrace connection, even if only for a moment beneath a hanging sprig.

The History of the Fist Bump

This episode explores the origins and meaning of the fist bump—a modern gesture that’s both casual and powerful. Rather than coming from a single source, the fist bump evolved through multiple influences: respectful glove taps in boxing, unity symbols from the civil rights movement, quiet signals between soldiers, sweat-free greetings in basketball, and even cartoon heroes like The Wonder Twins. Its rise into pop culture peaked when Barack and Michelle Obama shared a fist bump on national TV in 2008.
Beyond style, science shows that fist bumps spread far fewer germs than handshakes and can trigger feelings of trust through physical contact. Unlike handshakes, they’re equal and effortless—no squeezing, no awkwardness. Today, the fist bump is a universal symbol of respect, connection, and unspoken understanding—all delivered in a single knock of knuckles.

Why Do We Say “God Bless You” After a Sneeze

This episode explores the long-standing custom of blessing someone after they sneeze. In ancient Greece and Rome, sneezes were seen as omens or moments of vulnerability, prompting protective words. The tradition strengthened during the 6th-century plague, when Pope Gregory I encouraged people to say “God bless you” as both prayer and protection against disease.
Over time, superstitions grew—some believed sneezes expelled the soul, requiring a blessing to guard against evil spirits. Different cultures developed their own variations, from Gesundheit in Germany to Salud in Spain and Yarhamuk Allah in Arabic-speaking countries.
Though modern science has dispelled the old fears, the phrase remains as etiquette and habit. Today, saying “Bless you” is less about warding off illness and more about kindness, acknowledgment, and continuing a centuries-old tradition.

The Psychology of Queuing – Why Do We Line Up

This episode explores the social, cultural, and psychological roots of queuing. The practice became widespread during industrialization, especially in Britain, as a fair and orderly way to manage crowds. Queues operate on the principle of “first come, first served,” making them symbols of fairness and social trust.
Cutting in line triggers anger because it violates this sense of justice. Studies show that people find waiting less stressful when progress feels steady or when distractions keep them occupied, explaining why theme parks and apps design waiting experiences carefully.
Cultural attitudes differ: Britain treats queuing as sacred, Japan emphasizes patience and respect, while in more densely populated countries, pushing or crowding may occur. Today, queues also exist online, with virtual waiting rooms and digital ticket lines.
Ultimately, queuing reflects humanity’s choice of cooperation over chaos, turning an inconvenience into a ritual of fairness and shared patience.

Why Do We Wear Black to Funerals

This episode explores the long history and meaning of wearing black as a mourning color. The tradition dates back to ancient Rome, where mourners wore dark toga pulla garments, and became deeply ingrained during the Middle Ages and Victorian era—especially after Queen Victoria wore black for forty years following Prince Albert’s death.
Black symbolizes the absence of light, a fitting metaphor for grief, but it also conveys dignity and respect, uniting mourners in a shared expression of loss. The episode also highlights cultural differences: in China and India, white is the traditional mourning color; in parts of Africa, red is used; and in Thailand, widows may wear purple.
While black remains the standard in the West, modern funerals are evolving—some families now request bright clothing to celebrate life. Ultimately, whether black, white, or red, the choice of color expresses love, remembrance, and the universal act of honoring the departed.

The Origins of the Toast – Cheers!

This episode uncovers the history and meaning of raising a glass in a toast. The tradition began in ancient Greece and Rome, where drinking together was tied to honoring the gods with libations. The word “toast” itself comes from the medieval practice of placing spiced bread into wine for flavor and symbolism. Over time, toasting evolved into a gesture of trust and goodwill, with stories suggesting that clinking glasses helped prove drinks weren’t poisoned.
Cultural variations abound: Santé in France, Prost in Germany, Kanpai in Japan, and elaborate speeches in Russia—all reinforcing connection before drinking. Psychologically, toasting builds social bonds by pausing the moment, making eye contact, and creating unity. Today, whether casual or ceremonial, the toast remains a ritual of gratitude, celebration, and human connection.

Why Do We Shake Hands with the Right Hand?

This episode explores why the right hand is the standard for handshakes across much of the world. Historically, most people were right-handed and carried weapons in that hand—so extending it showed peaceful intent and a lack of hostility. In ancient Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe, grasping hands or forearms also checked for hidden weapons, reinforcing trust.
Religious and cultural traditions strengthened the practice: in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the right hand symbolizes purity, blessing, and respect, while the left hand often carried negative associations. By the 18th and 19th centuries, etiquette manuals cemented the right-hand handshake as a symbol of trustworthiness in business and diplomacy.
Though alternatives exist—like left-handed greetings in some African cultures, or elbow bumps during the COVID-19 pandemic—the right-hand shake remains deeply ingrained as a global ritual of respect, connection, and peace.

The Science Behind Why We Cry

This episode explores the biology, psychology, and cultural meaning of human tears. Scientists classify three types of tears: basal (for eye lubrication), reflex (for irritants), and emotional—unique to humans. Emotional tears contain stress hormones, suggesting they help regulate the body during distress.
From an evolutionary perspective, crying signals vulnerability and draws empathy from others, while psychologically it can provide relief by activating the body’s calming system. Culturally, attitudes vary—some societies celebrate crying as strength, while others discourage it, especially in men.
Tears also appear in joy, laughter, and pride, showing they’re less about sadness and more about emotional intensity. Ultimately, crying is both biological and social—a universal, wordless way humans express connection, vulnerability, and release.