The a to Z of Everyday Things

• Why are Americans superstitious about two-dollar bills? • Why do we have twelve months in a year instead of ten, or six, or even twenty? • Why do we celebrate foolishness on the first day of April? • Why is yawning contagious? • Why is the number thirteen considered to be unlucky in so many different cultures? The A to Z of Everyday Things tells the surprising stories behind twenty-six seemingly ordinary objects and activities. From calendars and money to tulips and sideburns, this book uses commonplace items to explore the rich but often overlooked cultural history of our everyday lives. In the end, The A to Z of Everyday Things offers us a picture of modern life and how we got here in a funny, quirky, and highly readable form.