Examining the origins of a wide variety of cultural conventions, including calendar customs, folklore, annual holidays, and ethnic identity, this work uses a critical lens to evaluate popular understanding. It suggests that common opinions in this realm are often misinterpreted and considers why this is the case. It also asks why people care about such questions: some, such as the origin of the universe, attract a great deal of attention, while others, such as the origins of particular words, are of more limited interest.