About 500 years ago, creating clever collective nouns for groups of animals, objects, and people was trendy, and some of those nouns of assemblage stuck. Learn the history of this quirk of the English language in today's classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/shrewdness-apes-collective-nouns-500-year-old-language-fad.htm

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The satly, buttery popcorn sold in movie theaters is nigh irresistible, but there's zero butter involved. Learn what it's made of in this classic episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/what-heck-is-in-movie-theater-popcorn.htm

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Some animals like cows can live on grass, so why can't humans? And why do dogs and cats eat it even though they can't live on it either? Learn about digesting grass in this episode of BrainStuff, based on these articles: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/why-do-dogs-and-cats-eat-grass.htm; https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/digestive/why-humans-dont-eat-grass.htm

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Yes, the sun rotates, but it does so a little differently than rocky planets like Earth. Learn how (and why) in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/does-sun-rotate.htm

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A turtle's shell grows with it throughout its life. Learn how a hard, protective shell can keep growing in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/turtle-shell.htm

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In fascism, the needs of the people bow to the needs of the State, and violent, authoritarian leaders demand unity, sacrifice, and a strict social heirarchy in order to enact constant conquest to bring glory to the State. Learn more about the past and present of fascism in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://people.howstuffworks.com/fascism-movement.htm

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Some specialized fungi can hijack the behavior of ants, wasps, and spiders in order to spread their spores. Learn about the real-life Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps fungi that inspired 'The Last of Us' in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/zombie-ant-fungus.htm

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Ever wonder if your pet is lying to you, what's inside a black hole, or whether you'd survive being cryogenically frozen? With infectious curiosity, cartoonist and former roboticist Jorge Cham makes science fun and accessible as he answers your biggest questions.

Listen here and subscribe to ScienceStuff on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Whales are some of the largest creatures on Earth -- but why? And why aren't they bigger? Learn a whale of a tale about ocean mammals in this classic episode of BrainStuff.

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