Do you really know?
Episodes
What is a super-spreader?
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a super-spreader? Thanks for asking! While summer 2020 draws to an end, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from being over. Some European countri...
What is fan fiction?
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is fan fiction? Thanks for asking! Fan fiction refers to texts written by a fan using characters or storylines from another existing story, usua...
What is an authoritarian regime?
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is an authoritarian regime? Thanks for asking! An authoritarian regime is a form of government which monopolises authority and restricts politic...
What is the Istanbul Convention?
29 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the Istanbul Convention? Thanks for asking! The Istanbul Convention is an international human rights treaty which was signed in 2011 by 45 Eu...
What is OnlyFans?
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is OnlyFans? Thanks for asking! OnlyFans is a digital content platform which operates on a subscription model. As with social media platforms, w...
What is an oil spill?
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is an oil spill? Thanks for asking! An oil spill is a form of pollution whereby petrol is released into the sea or ocean due to human activity...
What is Kairos?
24 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Kairos? Thanks for asking! The ancient Greeks had two words for “time”. The first, Chronos, refers to chronological time which can be cl...
What is a sebum cure?
22 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a sebum cure? Thanks for asking! The sebum cure is a natural hair care method, which consists in avoiding shampoo for a given period of time...
What is a caffè sospeso?
20 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a caffè sospeso? Thanks for asking! Caffè sospeso literally translates to English as a ‘suspended coffee’. It’s an Italian tradition...
What is a leap year?
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a leap year? 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020... a leap year comes along every four years, lasting 366 days instead of 365 as you probably know. In a l...
What is nudge theory?
17 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is nudge theory? Thanks for asking! Nudge theory was developed back in 2008 by future Nobel Prize winner Richard Thaler, along with legal schol...
What is a showrunner?
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a showrunner? The whole world is streaming TV shows and series more than ever before. And yet many of these shows wouldn’t even exist witho...
What is the anti-mask movement?
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the anti-mask movement? Thanks for asking! Since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, wearing a face covering has become normalised in man...
What is ammonium nitrate?
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is ammonium nitrate? Thanks for asking! The city of Beirut was struck by a violent explosion last week, causing over 150 deaths and injuring tho...
What is a meme?
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a meme? Thanks for asking! An internet meme is a viral piece of content which spreads online and is transformed by web users. Memes often gr...
What is philanthropy?
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is philanthropy? Thanks for asking! Philanthropy is the feeling which pushes people to help those in need. Most often, it’s manifested by the...
What is Globish?
06 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Globish? Thanks for asking! Globish is a simplified version of English. In theory, it enables non-native English speakers to communicate wit...
What is the P-Spot?
05 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the P-Spot? Thanks for asking! Most of the time, when we hear the word prostate, we associate it with cancer. We don’t necessarily know wh...
What is a heatwave?
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a heatwave? Thanks for asking! We’re experiencing more intense and frequent heatwaves than ever before, and it’s one of the most tangibl...
What is fatphobia?
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is fatphobia? Thanks for asking! Being overweight is a stigma. While around 13% of the world’s population are obese, they are largely absent ...
What is a micro adventure?
30 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a micro adventure? Thanks for asking! When you think “adventure”, you most likely think of an exotic destination halfway across the glob...
What is an eco-friendly beach?
29 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is an eco-friendly beach? Thanks for asking! For many people, beaches are synonymous with the summer holiday season. Beach holidays have been p...
What is Blackface?
27 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Blackface? Thanks for asking! Blackface is a form of theatre which consists of non-black performers wearing make-up to represent black chara...
What is TikTok?
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is TikTok? Thanks for asking! Social network Tiktok allows users to publish short-form mobile videos. It’s been downloaded over 2 billion tim...
What is an ecocide?
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is an ecocide? Thanks for asking! An ecocide is a term for an act that causes significant damage to the environment or ecosystems. It comes fro...
What is IQ?
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is IQ? Thanks for asking ! IQ stands for intelligence quotient and is a test score which indicates a person’s level of intelligence. Some peo...
What is Fintech?
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Fintech? Thanks for asking! Fintech is an abbreviation of “financial technology” It’s a new business sector which began developing duri...
What is GAFAM?
18 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is GAFAM? Thanks for asking! GAFAM is the acronym used to refer to American tech giants Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft. Together,...
What is stigmergy?
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is stigmergy? Thanks for asking! Stigmergy is a model of coordination and cooperation which was first observed in social insects, but also appe...
What is ghosting?
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is ghosting? Thanks for asking! Ghosting is a modern slang term for ceasing all communication without any warning or explanation. It’s like...
What is vitamin D?
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is vitamin D? Thanks for asking! Vitamin D was discovered in 1922 by American biochemist Elmer McCollum, who was nicknamed Dr Vitamin by Time M...
What is a near-death experience?
11 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a near-death experience? Thanks for asking! American psychiatrist Dr Raymond Moody is considered to be the founding father of studies on ...
What is doomscrolling?
09 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is doomscrolling? Thanks for asking! The more bad news we hear, the more we tend to get consumed by social media feeds, incessantly scrolling t...
What is the New Cold War?
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the New Cold War? Relations between China and the United States have been deteriorating for years, and the global COVID-19 pandemic isn’t h...
What is chlordecone?
06 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is chlordecone? Thanks for asking! Chlordecone is a highly toxic pesticide which is known for being an endocrine disruptor. That means it can i...
What are influencers?
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are influencers? Thanks for asking! Influencers are people who are capable of impacting consumption habits among their followers on social medi...
What is brand activism?
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is brand activism? Thanks for asking! Brand activism is when companies seek to have an impact on a social, economic, environmental, or political...
What is free software?
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is free software? Thanks for asking! Despite what it might sound like, free software isn’t necessarily free of charge. Here, the word is used...
What is speciesism?
29 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is speciesism? Thanks for asking! The assumed superiority of humans over all other animals is often unspoken. Without necessarily wishing any h...
What is Starlink?
27 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Starlink? Thanks for asking! While the Space Race makes us think back to the 20th century, some billionaires are dreaming of ruling space in...
What is femicide?
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is femicide? Thanks for asking! Many countries reported increased gender-based violence during recent coronavirus lockdowns. Femicides are the ...
What is non-binary?
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is non-binary? Thanks for asking! Non-binary is an umbrella term to describe people who don’t identify within the traditional gender binary o...
What is cross immunity?
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is cross immunity? Thanks for asking! Until recently, it’s been assumed that nobody had pre-existing immunity to COVID-19. Experts and world ...
What is the female gaze?
20 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the female gaze? Thanks for asking! The term “female gaze” has been used in recent years to describe art that subverts the male perspect...
What is white privilege?
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is white privilege? Thanks for asking! Like a lot of things, the concept of white privilege comes from the USA. It means that simply being whit...
What is CrossFit?
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is CrossFit? Thanks for asking! CrossFit is a branded fitness regimen which combines weightlifting, gymnastics, endurance and other forms of ...
What is jiko sekinin?
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is jiko sekinin? Thanks for asking! Jiko sekinin is a Japanese term which more or less translates as “individual responsibility”. It’s mor...
What is FOGO?
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is FOGO? Thanks for asking! You’ve probably already heard of FOMO - the Fear of Missing Out. Well here’s the opposite: the Fear of Going Ou...
What is shadow banning?
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is shadow banning? Thanks for asking! Politicians and influencers are complaining about shadow banning more than ever before. The term refers to...
What is Black Lives Matter?
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Black Lives Matter? Thanks for asking! Since late May, hundreds of thousands of Americans have taken to the streets to protest against polic...
What is asexuality?
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is asexuality? Thanks for asking! Being asexual means different things to different people. Generally speaking, asexuality refers to the persis...
What is ultracrepidarianism?
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is ultracrepidarianism? Thanks for asking! An ultracrepidarian is someone who gives their opinion on just about everything, including subjects w...
What are antibodies?
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are antibodies? Thanks for asking! Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins which are secreted by B cells in the human body’s immune system. Their fu...
What is a drive-in?
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a drive-in? Thanks for asking! As the name suggests, drive-ins allow visitors to watch a movie being projected onto a large screen, from the ...
What is a Chief Happiness Officer?
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a Chief Happiness Officer? Thanks for asking! If you search on Google for Chief Happiness Officer positions, you’ll only find around 700 re...
What is Snapchat dysmorphia?
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Snapchat dysmorphia? Thanks for asking! Snapchat dysmorphia is a mental health condition linked to the excessive use of filters and effects o...
What is corona shaming?
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is corona shaming? Thanks for asking! Corona shaming is one of many trends to emerge during the coronavirus pandemic. Many are frustrated by oth...
What is Kawasaki Disease?
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Kawasaki Disease? Thanks for asking! The general consensus was that children were relatively safe from COVID-19. But since late April, a numb...
What is the welfare state?
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the welfare state? Thanks for asking! The term welfare state refers to measures taken by governments to promote the well-being of the popula...
What is locavorism?
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is locavorism? Thanks for asking! Just like a carnivore eats meat and a frugivore feeds mainly on fruit, locavores are people who commit to a d...
What is anosmia?
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is anosmia? Thanks for asking! Anosmia is the clinical name for a complete loss of the sense of smell. Awareness of the disorder is somewhat lo...
What is a webinar?
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a webinar? Thanks for asking! A webinar is a type of web conferencing, generally taking the form of a workshop, lecture or presentation. If ...
What is zumping?
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is zumping? Thanks for asking! Zumping is one of many new words to be invented since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. It refers to the pr...
What are corona bonds?
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are corona bonds? Thanks for asking! A political crisis is currently emerging in Europe, and it’s down to Corona bonds. The term is derived f...
What is tocilizumab?
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is tocilizumab? Thanks for asking! Tocilizumab is a prescription drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients in over 100 countries. It’s...
What is mass testing?
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is mass testing? Thanks for asking! The benefit of screening for diseases is to enable early diagnosis when a person is asymptomatic. That’s t...
What is an FFP2 mask?
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is an FFP2 mask? Thanks for asking! You likely hadn’t heard of FFP2 masks in pre-COVID-19 days, but they are in huge demand right now. The FF...
What is social distancing?
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is social distancing? Thanks for asking! The term social distancing refers to measures taken to reduce physical contact between people to a mini...
What is herd immunity?
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is herd immunity? Thanks for asking! Also known as community immunity, herd immunity is an indirect form of protection against an infectious di...
What is the World Health Organization?
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the World Health Organization? Thanks for asking! The World Health Organization is a United Nations agency that is responsible for internati...
What are tracking apps?
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are tracking apps? Thanks for asking! Exceptional times call for exceptional measures, as they say. Tracking apps are now being used by governm...
What is care work?
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is care work? Thanks for asking! This subcategory of the workforce includes jobs that provide services to other people. Despite doing work that...
What is a lockdown?
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a lockdown? Thanks for asking! It’s estimated that up to 50% of the world’s population has been under some form of lockdown since the be...
What is HouseParty?
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is HouseParty? Thanks for asking HouseParty is a video chat app that was created in the United States in 2016 and became particularly popular am...
What are neobanks?
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are neobanks? Neobanks are 100% digital. They run exclusively through mobile apps, with no brick-and-mortar premises. They offer customers a use...
What is chloroquine?
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is chloroquine? Thanks for asking! Chloroquine is a prescription drug which has been used for many decades to treat malaria. It’s included on...
What are conlangers?
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are conlangers? Thanks for asking ! A conlanger is a person who creates one or more constructed languages. These are different to most language...
What is anthropomorphism?
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is anthropomorphism? Anthropomorphism means transferring human forms or emotions onto animals and other non-human entities. It has its origins i...
What is Misophonia?
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Misophonia? You probably won’t find it on autocorrect or spell check, but misophonia is a condition which affects up to 15% of adults. The ...
What are dark patterns?
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are dark patterns? A dark pattern is an online interface which has been designed to trick visitors into performing certain actions against their...
What is instant-runoff voting?
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is instant-runoff voting? Also known as the alternative vote, instant runoff voting is an election method in which voters rank candidates by ord...
What is telehealth?
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is telehealth? Telehealth refers to remote health services which are provided using technology. While the technologies have been around for deca...
What are desert locusts?
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are desert locusts? Desert locusts are a type of insect which have been threatening agricultural production in Africa, Asia and the Middle East ...
What is male contraception?
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is male contraception? We’ve all heard of the pill and the coil for women, but did you know that male contraceptives also exist? The obvious e...
What is OK Boomer ?
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is OK Boomer? OK Boomer is an internet-born phrase which surfaced in 2019 to highlight the generational gap between certain people of different ...
What is cruelty free?
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is cruelty free? Cruelty free is a label for products which don’t cause harm to animals. This kind of guarantee is designed to reassure consum...
What is...no, who is Alan Smithee?
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is...no, who is Alan Smithee? Alan Smithee is perhaps Hollywood’s least talented director! Let me explain… It’s not uncommon for director...
What is the Blob?
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the Blob? The blob is a nickname for Physarum Polycephalum, a slime mold that can detect and digest food, move around and procreate. It’s u...
What is a digital detox?
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a digital detox? A digital detox is a period of time when a person chooses to limit their use of computers and mobile devices. The aim is to ...
What are hikikomori?
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are hikikomori? A hikikomori is a reclusive person who withdraws from society and lives in their own home all the time. This isolation phenomeno...
What are GINKs?
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are GINKs? The acronym GINKs stands for “Green Inclinations - No Kids”, referring to those who consciously decide to forego having children ...
What is revenge porn?
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is revenge porn? Revenge porn is the intentional sharing of private sexual content, without the consent of the person in that content. It could ...
What is a sedentary lifestyle?
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a sedentary lifestyle? A sedentary lifestyle is one which involves little or no physical activity. It’s one of the major global health issu...
What is CBD?
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is CBD? CBD is short for Cannabidiol, which is one of the chemical components found in cannabis. Not being psychoactive, CBD is legal in many co...
What is a narcissistic pervert?
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a narcissistic pervert? It seems like we hear about narcissistic perverts pretty often these days. They are charming manipulators who often t...
What is Flygskam?
21 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Flygskam? Flygskam is a Swedish neologism, which literally translates into English as “flight shame”. Confronted with the high level of p...
What is Asperger Syndrome?
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Asperger Syndrome? Asperger Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, characterised by difficulties in social interactions and restricted inte...
What is the Halo Effect?
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the Halo Effect? The Halo Effect is a form of cognitive bias, whereby we base our overall opinion of a person on a single characteristic. It’...
What is a power nap?
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a power nap? A power nap is a short sleep which is long enough to give an energy boost, but not so long that you enter deep sleep. The term w...
What is Deep Learning?
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Deep Learning? Deep learning is a machine learning method based on artificial intelligence. With deep learning, machines are able to learn by...