Alia is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who has contributed content to HowStuffWorks for going on a decade now, with a specialty in health writing. She’s also been published by TLC, Animal Planet, and a number of corporate clients. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), and might someday get around to setting up a professional website. Until then, check her out on LinkedIn.
She and her husband are proud parents to three handsome, too-smart-for-their-own-good boys. Alia is a passably not terrible tennis player, lover of all things dance and music, brownie-obsessed, avid reader and off-key car singer. Her two favorite types of people are those who have a healthy sense of humor and those who actually read articles in their entirety before posting comments.
Recent Contributions
Some months are bursting with popular birthdates and others are stone cold out of the picture. Which are the most and least popular birthdays and why?
By Alia Hoyt
And he was still growing at the time of his death. But there was a lot more to Robert Wadlow than just his extraordinary height.
By Alia Hoyt
What in the world did Grandma mean when she used words like "tarnation"?
By Alia Hoyt
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It seems like every town has that one restaurant whose eggplant parmesan can kick-start contractions. But is a labor-inducing recipe an old wives' tale?
By Alia Hoyt
It's hard to say what is the most dangerous animal in the world; you're not comparing apples to apples. But when it comes dangerous, these four top the list.
By Alia Hoyt
Spontaneous sex reversal in chickens is pretty rare, but it does happen. Find out how Miss Lucille became Mr. Lucille.
By Alia Hoyt & Talon Homer
In the last few decades, there's been a sort of arms race to build ever-taller skyscrapers. Which seven currently rank as the world's tallest buildings?
By Alia Hoyt
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British slang is known to contain some of the most colorful colloquialisms in the world, so queue up as we bandy about a few cheeky ones.
By Alia Hoyt
Many struggle over what to say when someone dies. Comforting a loved one during a difficult time can be hard, especially if you can't express your condolences in person. Here are our suggestions.
By Alia Hoyt
Maybe you've heard about drinking the Kool-Aid or listening to The Family Jams — but what do you really know about some of the world's most infamous cults?
By Alia Hoyt & Jane McGrath
During the fall months, you may see unfamiliar birds in your area as those from the north begin to fly south. But how do they know when it's time to migrate and where to go?
By Alia Hoyt
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The queen conch, a symbol of the Bahamas, is prized all over the world for its meat and its beautiful shell. But too much love has led to a serious decline in its population.
By Alia Hoyt
It's easy to get rid of scuff marks from leather shoes, sneakers, Crocs and other types of footwear. We'll show you how.
By Alia Hoyt
Farmhouse style is an eclectic mix of traditional charm and quirky character that lends a cozy, warm feel to any space where comfort is key.
By Alia Hoyt
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Laundry stripping is a hack that's been trending on TikTok. It's supposed to remove built-up gunk from your "clean" clothes. But does it work?
By Alia Hoyt
In addition to its role in cooking, coconut oil has a ton of uses in health and beauty. We highlight 10 of them.
By Alia Hoyt
You love to cook on your glass-top stove, but taking care of it isn't as simple as it seems. Burnt food and spills don't have to ruin the look of your stove or prevent you from cooking up a storm.
By Alia Hoyt & Stefani Newman
So your favorite white Vans are full of yellow stains. No problem. Whether you're wearing leather Vans or canvas Vans, we know the best way to clean them and keep them bright white.
By Alia Hoyt
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You probably have a box or two of aluminum foil buried somewhere in the pantry, but are you using it to its full potential? Although the product is a known superstar at wrapping up food items or lining a baking sheet, most people simply have no idea that aluminum foil can actually do so much more.
By Alia Hoyt
Those worn but loved sneaks can look almost new with a few cleaning tips we got from a pro.
By Alia Hoyt
Before you rev up your mower for the latest cut of the season, learn (or relearn) what not to do to your lawn. You can thank us later.
By Alia Hoyt & John Perritano
If you drink a lot of tea, you probably throw out a lot of used tea bags. But there are dozens of surprising things you can do with them instead, both in your home and your garden.
By Alia Hoyt
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Cleaning glass, whether it's a window, a mirror or a coffee table, is more about the tools than the elbow grease. With the right stuff in your bucket, you can get your glass streak-free.
By Julia Layton & Alia Hoyt
On hot summer days, is it best to turn off the AC when leaving home, turn it up or leave it as is? The answer may surprise you.
By Alia Hoyt