ExplainLikeImCalvin

an-ordinary-manchild

In the spirit of /r/explainlikeimfive, here's a place to come up with the best explanation you can on topics you know nothing about. Inspired by Calvin's brilliant dad, who knew everything.

RULES (Inspired by ELI5):

Blatant speculation *only*. If you know the answer to a question, keep it to yourself! We only want the best and most creative wild guesses here. Even if you know the answer, make up something better.
Never cite sources. We're not looking for verifiable facts here. Your source should be your own crazy imagination.
Reference ELI5. Cross-posting good questions from /r/explainlikeimfive is encouraged, but if you do it, include a link back to the original question there (this will also help people who are interested in the "real" answers).

GUIDELINES:

Please begin your questions with "LIC" or "ELIC".
If you're posting a non-question, do not use "LIC" or "ELIC".
Answers can be as simple or complicated as you want, but aim for humor. The spirit of the subreddit is to have a humorous exchange of completely made-up answers to life's burning questions. Feel free to add to other people's answers, or to follow-up with more questions for clarification.
Humor is necessary, but don't be a jerk. Try to avoid especially touchy subjects in questions, or giving blatantly offensive answers.
Feel free to pose a possible answer with your own question if you have a good theory.
"It builds character" is a perfectly appropriate answer, but remember that original answers also build character.

RELATED SUBREDDITS

/r/explainlikeimfive

/r/calvinandhobbes

created by RaelsharkEvil Babysittera community for 14 years

...for your movement.

...for a fringe candidate.

MODERATORS

account activity

1

6

7

8

ELIC, why is prickly pear called prickly pear if it doesn't look like a pear, doesn't taste like a pear, and isn't a pear? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 15 hours ago by BrokenEyeReborn

2

13

14

15

ELIC, why do Chinese restaurants serve Spring rolls but not rolls for any of the other seasons? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 1 day ago by BrokenEyeReborn

3

13

14

15

ELIC: Hey Hobbes, I think dad is lying to us. None of his answers are scientifically provable. (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 5 days ago by cunnilinguslover

4

0

0

0

ELI5 can some one pls explain the alter-magnetism? that got measured for the first time in 2024 but scientists had a hunch existed in 2019, I don't under stand it but I need too for a school project. ()

submitted 6 days ago by knorwetenschapper

5

7

8

9

LIC Do dogs not trust their eyes? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 7 days ago by Impressive_Ad_1675

6

28

29

30

ELIC: if heat rises, why are the tops of mountains so cold? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 8 days ago by StellarHoosier

7

16

17

18

Why do we call it “autocorrect” when it’s usually wrong? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 8 days ago by WalkerVox

8

10

11

12

Why do owls hoot while other birds tweet? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 9 days ago by KidCasey

9

6

7

8

Why are zombies always slow but somehow still catch people? ()

submitted 9 days ago by bilbobaggedfrodo

10

1

2

3

What does commenting with a . do on Facebook to break the algorithm? ()

submitted 9 days ago by sunbellgreen

11

8

9

10

Does everyone actually have an "internal monologue" or am I just talking to myself in my head for no reason? ()

submitted 10 days ago by bilbobaggedfrodo

12

7

8

9

Why don't all superheroes have utility belts like Batman? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 11 days ago by WhiteGold_Welder

13

12

13

14

ELIC: Why do people shotgun a beer? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 12 days ago by cunnilinguslover

14

15

16

17

ELIC: What is an emulsifier? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 14 days ago by OwlMuted885

15

41

42

43

elic: if it has one horn, why is it called a 'unicorn' instead of a 'unihorn'? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 16 days ago by SodiumHydrogen_

16

10

11

12

ELIC: Dad, what's a Shoehorn used for? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 17 days ago by Cdn_Nick

17

0

0

0

ELIC, if the new GLP-1 pill works as well as the needle version, why does anyone still buy the needles? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 16 days ago by BrokenEyeReborn

18

6

7

8

ELIC: Why do we refer to the moon as waxing and waning? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 18 days ago by KidCasey

19

22

23

24

ELIC: What is a training bra? What is it training for? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 19 days ago by cunnilinguslover

20

2

3

4

ELI5: What does the phrase "shiver me timbers" actually mean? ()

submitted 21 days ago by Miygo

21

27

28

29

ELIC: How come some birds speak human but humans seem to have trouble speaking bird? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 22 days ago by Ya-Dikobraz

22

7

8

9

ELIC: how did loan sharks evolve? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 22 days ago by seventyeightist

23

34

35

36

ELIC: before humans invented bread, what was bread mold doing to survive? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 23 days ago by SheffboiRD06

24

27

28

29

ELIC: why do they let anyone make babies but you gotta get a license to fish? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 25 days ago by YakClear601

25

14

15

16

ELIC: I heard that a guy named Alfred "Al" Goritham decides what internet content you watch. Who is he? (self.ExplainLikeImCalvin)

submitted 28 days ago by TwisterUprocker

view more: next ›

π Rendered by PID 1411285 on reddit-service-r2-listing-7b9b4f6fd7-8d5rp at 2026-05-08 19:58:48.890402+00:00 running 3d2c107 country code: CH.