According to Native American folklore in some tribes each kernel contained a spirit who remained quiet until heated, when they became angry. The hotter their little homes got, the angrier they became. When shaking was added to the mix, the spirits would burst out and leave in a puff of steam.

Obviously, this explanation while colorful and entertaining is not what really happens! Actually, each popcorn kernel contains a minute amount of water inside a circle of starch which is then surrounded by the hard outer surface of the kernel.