Always Wondered

Always Wondered

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!

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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do Our Stomachs Growl When We Get Hungry?

This week on Always Wondered, why do our stomachs growl when we get hungry?  Is it science - or is your body just trying to embarrass you in public?  Also, we explore how famous movie quotes escaped the theater, took over our brains, and somehow replaced standard human conversation!  Plus - hear the unusual origin of the frozen dinner.  Discover how we invented a meal in a cardboard box so that we never have to look each other in the eye at dinner again!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:08:41
Jun 19, 2026 7:0 AM
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More Episodes

Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 64 Preview

This week on Always Wondered, why do our stomachs growl when we get hungry?  Is it science - or is your body just trying to embarrass you in public?  Also, we explore how famous movie quotes escaped the theater, took over our brains, and somehow replaced standard human conversation!  Plus - hear the unusual origin of the frozen dinner.  Discover how we invented a meal in a cardboard box so that we never have to look each other in the eye at dinner again!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:40
Jun 17, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Are We Ticklish?

This week on Always Wondered, why are we ticklish?  Is it a beautiful bonding experience, or a biological form of total betrayal?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, we live in an era of creative baby names.  But which ones are actually illegal?  We’ll explore the ultimate dos and don'ts of naming.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “giving someone the cold shoulder”?  Learn how the act of ignoring someone has less to do with a bad attitude and more to do with meat!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:11
Jun 5, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 62 Preview

This week on Always Wondered, why are we ticklish?  Is it a beautiful bonding experience, or a biological form of total betrayal?  We’ll try to make sense of it all.  Also, we live in an era of creative baby names.  But which ones are actually illegal?  We’ll explore the ultimate naming do’s and don'ts.  Plus - what’s the origin of the phrase “giving someone the cold shoulder”?  Learn how the act of ignoring someone has less to do with a bad attitude and more to do with meat!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:43
Jun 3, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - What is the True Story of the Popsicle?

In this episode, we explore why we can’t remember being a baby.  And if we could, would we really want to?  Also - learn the origin of the Popsicle®.  Hear how one kid’s accident turned into a frozen treat empire.  Plus - we explore humanity's weird fascination with acronyms.  When did every conversation turn into a high-speed game of Scrabble?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:08:31
May 29, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 61 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why we can’t remember being a baby.  And if we could, would we really want to?  Also - learn the origin of the Popsicle.  Hear how one kid’s accident turned into a frozen treat empire.  Plus - we explore humanity's weird fascination with acronyms.  When did every conversation turn into a high-speed game of Scrabble?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:40
May 27, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Do We Say “Hello” and “Goodbye?"

In this episode, learn how the telephone helped turn “Hello” into the world’s official awkward conversation starter.  It’s the surprisingly strange origins of both “Hello” and “Goodbye.”  Also, we dive into movie sound effects.  Hear how Hollywood has basically been lying to us for years!  Plus - who invented the bed?  And how did we go from sleeping on dirt to mattresses with Wi-Fi?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:53
May 22, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 60 Preview

In this upcoming episode, learn how the telephone helped turn “Hello” into the world’s official awkward conversation starter.  It’s the surprisingly strange origins of both “Hello” and “Goodbye.”  Also, we dive into movie sound effects.  Hear how Hollywood has basically been lying to us for years!  Plus - who invented the bed?  And how did we go from sleeping on dirt to mattresses with Wi-Fi?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:37
May 20, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - The Weird Origin of “Okay”

In this episode, learn how some 19th-century hipsters gave us the most widely used word on the planet.  It’s the weird origin of “okay”.  Also, you may think football and hockey are brutal, but wait till you hear the story of how Americans once played polo…with cars!  Plus, we tackle the reason behind your mouth’s biggest betrayal.  Discover why orange juice tastes so bad after brushing your teeth!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.  

 

00:09:37
May 15, 2026 10:39 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - What Are The Most Annoying Sounds Known to Humankind?

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:21
May 8, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 58 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why yawning is contagious. Is it empathy? Science? Or are you just hanging out with really boring people? Also, get ready for a countdown of the most annoying sounds known to humankind. (Warning: Your ears are going to hate you by the time this one is done!) Plus, what’s the origin of the phrase “put your best foot forward”? And more importantly, how do we know which is the best one? Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:00:30
May 6, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - How Did Cinco De Mayo Become an American Fiesta? 

In this episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:11
May 1, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 57 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we salute the Month of May.  Hear the weird story of the woman who created Mother’s Day - only to spend the rest of her life trying to cancel it!  Also, we look at Cinco De Mayo.  How did an obscure Mexican battle turn into a full-blown American fiesta?  Plus - learn the origin of the term “mayday” - a simple word that somehow means “everything has gone completely wrong.”  So celebrate May, as host Rick Peterson answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:00:34
Apr 29, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - How Did We Wake Up On Time Before The Alarm Clock?

In this episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:09:10
Apr 24, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 56 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore the origin of the Alarm Clock.  Before it was ever invented, humans used a truly bizarre way to make sure people woke up on time!  And we’ve got all the crazy details.  Also, waving is one of humanity’s oldest customs.  But how did swatting our hand in the air become our go-to greeting?  Plus - what’s the story behind the phrase “pass the buck”?  A practice that started in Old West saloons somehow became the ultimate way to shirk responsibility!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:38
Apr 22, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - When Did Hydration Became an Obsession?

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:08:54
Apr 17, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 55 Preview

In our upcoming episode of Always Wondered, we explore when hydration became an obsession.  How did we go from drinking from the garden hose to always carrying designer water bottles?  We’ll get to the bottom of this H2O mystery.  Also, can you imagine some of your favorite movies with completely different leading actors? You’ll be scratching your head as we uncover some of Hollywood’s craziest “almost” casting choices.     Plus - learn the origin of the phrase:  “Let the chips fall where they may.  Was it computer chips, potato chips, or something else entirely?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:46
Apr 15, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - How Road Signs Got Their Shapes

In this episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:09:15
Apr 10, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 54 Preview

In this upcoming episode of Always Wondered, buckle up as we decode the different shapes of traffic signs.  Learn why your daily commute feels like an eighth-grade geometry quiz!  Also, during the 1960s Space Race, the US and the Soviet Union weren’t the only players.  Hear the weird story of one country where the “right stuff” was basically “the only stuff available.”  Plus - we reveal the origin of the phrase “the handwriting is on the wall.”  It turns out that ancient doom messages didn’t come on Post-It Notes!  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

 

00:00:45
Apr 8, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean
Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Why Are Most People Right-Handed?

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about.

00:08:56
Apr 3, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 53 Preview

In this upcoming episode, we explore why most people are right-handed.  Is it evolution?  The brain?  Or is the left hand secretly plotting something?  Also, now that baseball season is here, we slide into some of the weirdest moments in baseball history.  Hear about the times when logic took the day off, and chaos put on cleats!   Plus - learn the delicious origin of the phrase “living high on the hog”.  Are we talking about luxury, or just really good bacon?  Join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:00:37
Mar 31, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - The Chocolate Chip Cookie Origin Story

In this episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

00:09:40
Mar 27, 2026 7:0 AM
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Always Wondered
Always Wondered - Episode 52 Preview

In our next episode of Always Wondered, we explore the accidental origin of the Chocolate Chip Cookie - proof that sometimes mistakes can be delicious!  Also - prepare for a mind-bending look into the Mandela Effect.  Are your memories wrong, or did we somehow shift to an alternate universe?  Plus - hear the weird story behind the phrase “the Graveyard Shift”.  It’s darker and creepier than you might expect!  So join host Rick Peterson as he answers more of the questions you’ve Always Wondered about. 

 

00:00:36
Mar 25, 2026 7:0 AM
Clean