Always Wondered

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Always Wondered

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Always Wondered. A podcast that takes a lighthearted look at everyday life's little mysteries. Have you always wondered who came up with the idea for mouthwash? Who invented the Slinky? Why do we bless someone whenever they sneeze? How come there are dimples on a golf ball? Or what is the origin of the phrase "heard it through the grapevine"? These are the sort of questions that stir our curiosity, and the answers may just surprise you. Join host Rick Peterson every week for a fun and breezy look at some of the things you have always wondered about!

Episodes

149 episodes · about 2 min each

23h ago
Always Wondered - Episode 77 Preview

In this upcoming episode, why do songs get stuck in our heads? What causes those earworms to book extended stays inside our brains? We’ll explain why it happens. Also - hear the story of the strangest courtroom trial in history. (Spoiler alert: the defendant was a corpse!) Plus - learn the origin of the term: deadline. As it turns out, it was called that for a very good reason! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
5d ago
Always Wondered - Why Do We Cross Our Fingers For Good Luck?

In this episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck. How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate? Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened! We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries. Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”? (Hint: it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!) Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Sep 9, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 76 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, learn why we cross our fingers for luck. How did twisting our hands into little pretzels become a way for us to cheat fate? Also - hear the strange theory that claims a big chunk of our recorded history never actually happened! We’ll untangle one of history’s weirdest mysteries. Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “flying off the handle”? (Hint: it was a lot more dangerous than just losing your temper!) Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Sep 4, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Do We Blush?

In this episode, we explore why we blush. We’ll break down the science to explain the reason your face turns the color of a fire truck every time you do something the least bit embarrassing. Also - hear the strange but true tale of America’s very first war. And, no, it wasn’t against the British. This enemy was much smaller and much fluffier! Plus - with football season here again, we tackle one of the sport’s greatest mysteries. Why do quarterbacks yell “hut”? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. Hear More Episodes at ThePodcastPlayground.com/Always-Wondered

12 min
Sep 2, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 75 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we blush. We’ll break down the science to explain the reason your face turns the color of a fire truck every time you do something the least bit embarrassing. Also - hear the strange but true tale of America’s very first war. And, no, it wasn’t against the British. This enemy was much smaller and much fluffier! Plus - with football season here again, we tackle one of the sport’s greatest mysteries. Why do quarterbacks yell “hut”? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Aug 28, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Are There 60 Minutes in an Hour.  Why not 50?  Or 100?

In this episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour. Why not 50? Or 100? We’ve got the minute-by-minute details. Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far! Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”. (Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!) Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Aug 26, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 74 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why there are 60 minutes in an hour. Why not 50? Or 100? We’ve got the minute-by-minute details. Also - if you thought the American people never agreed on anything, wait till you hear the strange-but-true story of the time the government pushed the public just a bit too far! Plus - learn the origin of the term “brownie points”. (Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with chocolate baked goods!) Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Aug 21, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Do We Say "In a Jiffy"? How Long is a Jiffy?

In this episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl. Is it evolution? Culture? Or are we just a bunch of wimps? Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages. It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere. And, oh yeah, they were green! Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Aug 19, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 73 Preview

In this upcoming episode, explore why creepy crawly things make our skin crawl. Is it evolution? Culture? Or are we just a bunch of wimps? Also - hear one of the strangest unsolved mysteries to come out of the Middle Ages. It’s the story of two kids who seemingly showed up out of nowhere. And, oh yeah, they were green! Plus - discover the origin of the phrase “in a jiffy” - and learn how long a “jiffy” actually lasts! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Aug 14, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Do We Have 10 Fingers?

In this episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Aug 12, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 72 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore the question: why do we have ten fingers? Was it evolution? Coincidence? Or did eleven just seem far too ambitious? Learn the digit details. Also - we sniff out the strange story of when Hollywood once wanted audiences to not just see the movie - but smell it as well. Plus - it’s a question that has baffled generations. Why do Superheroes wear their underwear on the outside? Yeah, they may have amazing super powers - but apparently getting dressed isn’t one of them! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Aug 7, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Do We Sleep?

In this episode, why do we sleep? Is it really necessary... or are humans just the world's least efficient appliances? We have the details. Also - hear the unusual story of the Oreo. It’s the sandwich cookie we know and love. But surprisingly, it wasn’t the first! We’ll follow the trail of crumbs to bring you the tale. Plus - learn the origin of the phrase: Saved by the Bell. Who was the original “saver” and “savee?” Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

11 min
Aug 5, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 71 Preview

In this upcoming episode, why do we sleep? Is it really necessary... or are humans just the world's least efficient appliances? We have the details. Also - hear the unusual story of the Oreo. It’s the sandwich cookie we know and love. But surprisingly, it wasn’t the first! We’ll follow the trail of crumbs to bring you the tale. Plus - learn the origin of the phrase: Saved by the Bell. Who was the original “saver” and “savee?” Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Jul 31, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Do We Kiss Each Other?

In this episode, we explore why we kiss. It’s been the subject of countless poems, love songs, and movies. But the reason we started kissing in the first place may be much less “romance novel” and much more “evolutionary glitch”! Also - if you think you’re having a bad day, just wait until you hear the tale of what historians call the worst year to ever be alive! Plus - learn the origin of the “baker’s dozen”. We think of it today as a generous little gesture. But its roots are much stranger! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Jul 29, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 70 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we kiss. It’s been the subject of countless poems, love songs, and movies. But the reason we started kissing in the first place may be much less “romance novel” and much more “evolutionary glitch”! Also - if you think you’re having a bad day, just wait until you hear the tale of what historians call the worst year to ever be alive! Plus - learn the origin of the “baker’s dozen”. We think of it today as a generous little gesture. But its roots are much stranger! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Jul 24, 2026
Always Wondered - Why Are Men’s Shirt Button on the Right, and Women’s on the Left?

In this episode, we delve into the wardrobe mystery that’s been battling us for generations. Why are men’s shirt buttons on the right, while women’s are on the left? Also - we’re serving up the confusing story of who invented the ice cream cone. Grab a napkin, because the answer is kind of messy! Plus - why do we call the hottest stretch of the year “the Dog Days of Summer”? Do we blame a pack of ornery Labradoodles, or is it something else entirely? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Jul 22, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 69 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we delve into the wardrobe mystery that’s been battling us for generations. Why are men’s shirt buttons on the right, while women’s are on the left? Also - we’re serving up the confusing story of who invented the ice cream cone. Grab a napkin, because the answer is kind of messy! Plus - why do we call the hottest stretch of the year “the Dog Days of Summer”? Do we blame a pack of ornery Labradoodles, or is it something else entirely? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Jul 17, 2026
Always Wondered - How Did Dog, Become Man’s Best Friend?

In this episode, we explore how Dog became man’s best friend. Learn how this furry little creature became our ultimate sidekick. Also, discover the surprising history of Play-Doh. The colorful squishy stuff that has entertained millions of kids was actually created for an entirely different reason! Plus - when we needed a name to describe the biggest, most exciting movies, they gave us “Blockbuster”. But the term’s origin had absolutely nothing to do with Hollywood! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min
Jul 15, 2026
Always Wondered - Episode 68 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore how Dog became man’s best friend. Learn how this furry little creature became our ultimate sidekick. Also, discover the surprising history of Play-Doh. The colorful squishy stuff that has entertained millions of kids was actually created for an entirely different reason! Plus - when we needed a name to describe the biggest, most exciting movies, they gave us “Blockbuster”. But the term’s origin had absolutely nothing to do with Hollywood! Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

2 min
Jul 10, 2026
Always Wondered - What Happened to "B" Size Batteries?

In this episode, why do we have tonsils? Are they the body’s first line of defense from infection? Or are they just hanging out in the back of your throat catching stray popcorn kernels? We have the answer. Also, you’ve seen AA, C, and D batteries. But whatever happened to B? Did it vanish into witness protection - or was it something else? We’ll solve the high-tech mystery. Plus - learn the surprising (and possibly painful) origin of the phrase “light a fire under someone”. Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

12 min