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Wondering about a weird (or favorite) word or phrase–where it came from, or what it really means? Send your questions to:

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(Please check first to be certain that the answer to your question is not in our extensive archives. Questions already answered will usually not be answered again.)

Thanks,
Kathy Wollard

 

All questions submitted become the property of the Vast Word Detective Global Empire, Ltd.  Which is another way of saying that the question and answer may also appear in a future Word Detective book.

 

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400+ pages of science questions answered and explained for kids -- and adults!

FROM ALTOIDS TO ZIMA, by Evan Morris