National Ask a Stupid Question Day is Sept. 28, but it's also usually commemorated in schools on the last school day in September. The day was created back in the 1980s by teachers who wanted to encourage kids to
National Ask a Stupid Question Day is Sept. 28, but it's also usually commemorated in schools on the last school day in September. The day was created back in the 1980s by teachers who wanted to encourage kids to ask more thoughtful questions in class. The idea behind it? The only way to learn is by asking. As Stephen King wrote, "The only stupid question is the one you don't ask."
In honor of this most important holiday, we've compiled a list of six "stupid" questions that really aren't stupid at all.
1. Can you sneeze with your eyes open?
The answer to this one is no — for most people — but the question of why you can't do this is an interesting one. There's an oft-told myth that if you sneeze with your eyes open, they'll pop out of your head. While this may be a fun anecdote to share with your 7-year-old nephew at the next family reunion, it's not true. Your eyes shut when you sneeze, much like your knee jerks when it's tapped: it's a reflex, and it's one that we can't control. Find out more about the anatomy of a sneeze here.
2. Has it ever rained frogs?
Quite surprisingly to many, the answer to this one is yes! The phenomenon, though it sounds fake, happens when a waterspout occurs (basically a tornado over water). The wind picks up the water (and whatever happens to be swimming around in it) and carries it in its vor