Why are dumbbells called dumbbells?

The term "dumbbell" developed in 17th century England, and it was inspired by the clappers (the weighted, swinging part of the bell) of large church bells. Since the clappers on these bells were heavy, bell-ringers would often train using weighted but soundless—hence "dumb"—clappers to build strength. The term "dumbbell" soon caught on to describe these soundless clappers. At a later date, strongmen and athletes began adding weight to the other ends of clappers for the purpose of strength training, and they kept the dumbbell name. Even though the styles and materials of dumbbells have changed through the centuries, the clapper-inspired name has persisted.

Why do we weigh less in the morning?

A common, erroneous explanation for why we weigh less in the morning is that the undigested food eaten throughout the day is absorbed into the body during sleep. The problem with this theory is that it fails to explain where the mass goes; once a meal is digested, it is still in the body. The correct explanation is that we lose water weight through breathing and sweating. Also, we constantly breathe out carbon dioxide, and the mass from the released carbon adds up throughout the night. A combination of breathing, sweating, and releasing carbon, therefore, makes us lighter in the morning.

How does Goo Gone work?

Goo Gone is an oil-based solvent mostly comprised of hydrotreated light petroleum distillates. Goo Gone also contains D-limonene, which is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon found in various citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits. Along with a small amount of orange extract, the petroleum distillates and D-limonene work to break down the bonds of the targeted sticky residue, leaving only a byproduct that can be wiped away easily.

Why are the insides of chip bags shiny?

When you open a chip bag, you'll likely notice that the inside is shiny and foil-like. This shiny material is a metallized polymer layer that is usually coated with aluminum. The metallized layer serves as an effective air and moisture barrier, playing a large role in extending the product's shelf life. The layer thus serves primarily to better preserve the chips inside.

What is the origin of "uppercase" and "lowercase"?

In the days of typesetting, compositors stored their type in different type cases. These compositors arranged the type such that capital letters were found in the upper type case while lowercase letters were in the lower case. Over time, these upper and lower designations became a method for differentiating capital and miniscule letters.

Why do shampoo bottles have French translations?

Shampoo bottles found in the U.S. typically provide both English and French translations. While not commonly spoken in the U.S., French is pervasive in Canada. In order to save on production and distribution costs, shampoo companies often use the same bottles in the U.S. and Canada. Since Canada's Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act requires both French and English translations on products sold in Canada, shampoo companies include both languages.

What does "from concentrate" mean?

The words "from concentrate" often appear on juice labels. If a juice is made from concentrate, then the water in the originally squeezed juice is extracted to allow for easier and cheaper shipping. Once the more concentrated juice reaches its destination, water is then added to create the drink that appears in grocery stores. The nutritional value is the same whether a drink is from concentrate or not, but many find that juices "not from concentrate" carry a more authentic, preferable taste.