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Everyday mysteries

Is the Hole in a Spaghetti Spoon Really a Portion Measure?

Is the Hole in a Spaghetti Spoon Really a Portion Measure?

Only loosely. The hole in a spaghetti spoon lets cooking water drain, and some products, such as OXO's steel spaghetti server, de

The Real Reason Your Jeans Have That Tiny Fifth Pocket

The Real Reason Your Jeans Have That Tiny Fifth Pocket

That tiny pocket nested inside the right front pocket of your jeans was originally a watch pocket. Levi Strauss & Co. added it in 1890 so working men could keep their delicate pocket watches safe

The Real Reason Your Frying Pan Handle Has a Hole in It

The Real Reason Your Frying Pan Handle Has a Hole in It

The hole at the end of a frying pan or saucepan handle does let you hang the pan on a wall rack, but it has a second, arguably more useful job: it is a built-in spoon rest. Slot the handle of a woode

The Secret History of That Little Loop on the Back of Your Shirt

The Secret History of That Little Loop on the Back of Your Shirt

The small fabric loop on the back of a button-down shirt is called a locker loop. It was originally sewn on so sailors could hang their shirts on a peg or nail in cramped lockers without a hanger

The Real Reason Airplane Windows Have a Tiny Hole in Them

The Real Reason Airplane Windows Have a Tiny Hole in Them

The tiny hole at the bottom of an airplane window is called a bleed hole, and it is there on purpose. It sits in the middle pane, balances air pressure so the outer pane carries the load, keeps t

The Surprising Reason Your Sneakers Have That Extra Hole

The Surprising Reason Your Sneakers Have That Extra Hole

The extra shoelace hole at the very top of most running shoes and sneakers is not a mistake or a style choice. It is designed for a lacing technique called a heel lock (or a "runner's loop"), whi