Uncle John knows pretty much everything—and if he doesn’t, he heads his massive research library, or puts one of his many associates on the case. So go ahead: In the comments below, ask Uncle John anything. (And if we answer your question sometime, we’ll send you a free book!)

Why do cops like doughnuts so much? Do cops really like doughnuts that much?

We can’t really speak to the latter, except to say that we’re sure that many cops don’t eat a lot of doughnuts because they’re sugar and fat bombs that can slow a person down in the line of duty. (But we’re sure a lot of cops do love doughnuts. Reason: Doughnuts are absolutely delicious.) However, we know what you mean—there’s a stereotype, if not a cliché that cops eat a lot of doughnuts. Look at Chief Wiggum from The Simpsons, for example, or how the cops in Wreck-it Ralph are walking doughnuts.

The concept dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. Before the proliferation of fast food restaurants and convenience stores, there weren’t a lot of places for swing shift or overnight workers to get a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. By and large, American restaurants opened shortly before normal breakfast hours and closed shortly after normal dinner hours. Sure, there were all-night diners, but cops can be called to the scene at any time and may not be able to wait around for food to be served. The only other establishments that were open around the clock (or at least with earlier or later hours) were doughnut shops. Beat cops could easily pop in for a snack and a cup of coffee and be on their way.