Greetings, Matt!: In the 1930s and 1940s, a popular radio program was Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. Jack's sidekick was Billy. What was Billy's last name? P.S.: Do flies dream? -- PSK, San Diego And …
April 21, 2005
Straight from the Hip
Archived articles
Jack Armstrong, All-American Fly
The Roman salute
Heymatt: Just one question�why the middle finger, Matt, why? -- David Sparks, New Orleans Maybe because it's the longest digit, sticks up the farthest already. But the bird is so old a gesture, there's no …
April 21, 2005
Wet dreams
Heymatt: I've noticed that when I take a nap in the afternoon, I drool all over the place. But at night nothing. I've checked with other people, and they say the same thing, sort of. …
April 21, 2005
Big puffy hats
Heymatt: Why do chefs wear those big puffy hats? Wouldn't a hair net do better if they're trying to keep hair out of the food? -- LN, Mission Hills If form follows function, the traditional …
April 14, 2005
The dryer conspiracy
Mattster: Every time I go to the Laundromat, I see this sign that says the dryer works better if you put in three loads of wash instead of one. Of course I ignore the sign …
April 14, 2005
Twin drunks
Matt: Can a Siamese twin get their connected sibling drunk? And is there such a thing as Siamese triplets? -- Just Curious, San Diego Got to say, I never considered that dilemma. One twin a …
April 14, 2005
The wind in your hair, the bugs in your teeth
Hey Matt: I've always wanted to fly in a hot-air balloon. But I was told by a friend of mine that when you are up in the sky, flying about, there are also spiders soaring …
April 6, 2005
Nail biting
Dear Mr. Alice: Why is it that so many people bite their nails? -- Michelle, the net It's been studied scientifically, so there are a few reliable things known about onychophagia. Unfortunately, "why" isn't one …
April 6, 2005
What's so risky about Jeopardy?
Matt: How did Jeopardy get its name? What does jeopardy have to do with the game and the way it's played? What's the danger? Also, why do contestants have to answer in the form of …
April 6, 2005
Hahahaha. Croak
Dear Matthew Alice: "I thought I would die laughing." When something makes you laugh so hard you can't breathe, is there a chance you'll never stop? Is this unhealthy? -- M., San Diego Well, A.M., …
March 31, 2005
Mmmm...cow meat, pig meat...
Dear Matt: Why do we call cow meat "beef," pig meat "pork," but we call chicken and fish by their names? -- SG, the beach Let's see. Who can we blame this one on — …
March 24, 2005