MF Explains It All

It’s kind of weird that ‘ghost’ is spelled with a ‘gh.’

Only a handful of English words start with ‘gh’—what gives?

What September lacks in major holidays, it more than makes up for in birthday parties—here’s why that could be.

From a heartfelt spiritual, to a children’s campfire song, to a powerful protest anthem, to a derisive phrase, “Kumbaya” is certainly a bit of a musical chameleon.

Dogs love a good sensory experience. But letting them stick their head out of a moving car’s window is not a good idea. Here’s why.

In this episode of The List Show, host and Mental Floss editor-in-chief Erin McCarthy breaks down some commonly confused pairs.

Astronomically speaking, fall doesn’t start until late September.

The fall equinox lands on Sunday, September 22 this year. Here’s what you need to know about the first day of autumn.

Shiitake mushrooms (left) are edible, while fly agaric (right) is extremely toxic, causing serious symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and hallucinations.

The definitions of toadstools and mushrooms are a bit intertwined.

Showers are great for getting a fresh start to your day or winding down for the night.

The answer isn‘t as straightforward as you’d think.

Believe it or not, nobody named Phillips actually invented it.

Some people swear by the cleaning properties of citrus, but it’s not a magic bullet.

Some people swear by the cleaning properties of citrus, but will it really get your dishwasher clean?

The teddy bear has a very specific origin story.

The origins of the teddy bear involve President Theodore Roosevelt, a bear hunt, a political cartoon, and the owner of a candy shop in New York.

Blowing gray bubbles just wouldn’t feel as fun.

We uncover why bubblegum is traditionally pink—and also explore what flavor bubblegum even is.

You're not going to stand as tall at 70 as you did at 30. Here's why.

Arguably the grossest things in your kitchen.

Your kitchen sponges are grosser than you could possibly imagine, but here are some of the easiest ways to clean and disinfect them.

Caffeine is just one of the things that may be to blame for the irritating spasms.

Apple pie is a classic fall treat for Americans.

The phrase “American as apple pie“ leaves out the dish’s complicated history as an English dessert made of fruit that originated in Asia.

If you drive the same route long enough, sign fonts become fascinating.

Attentive drivers will notice more than one kind of typeface during their travels.

Yes, they‘re often bullet holes. No, that‘s not the only explanation.

Trying to sell your Princess Diana Beanie Baby? She probably isn’t worth as much as you hope—here’s why.

“God” and “Jesus” are the only Simpson characters that have five fingers.

It‘s normal for cartoon characters to be missing a digit, but how did the style originate?

Keep a look out for the origins of this weird phrase.

Popular theories involve pirates—and police.

May want to think twice about drinking straight from the faucet, too.

Depending on how weird your home’s tap water tastes, it could be due to the pipes or an old water heater, or be a problem with the water itself.

Dogs need to sniff around to understand their environment.

Two-factor authentication can also be a good security tool to have in your arsenal.

Here’s everything you need to know about spotting the risks of identity theft and safeguarding your most valuable personal information.

Why are ‘Ghost,’ ‘Ghastly,’ and ‘Ghoul’ Spelled with ‘gh’?

Why Is September the Most Popular Birthday Month in the U.S.? People Have Theories

The Real History of the Folk Song ‘Kumbaya’

Why Do Dogs Stick Their Heads Out of Car Windows—And Is it Safe?

14 Commonly Confused Things

What You Should Know About the 2024 Fall Equinox

Mushrooms vs. Toadstools: What’s the Difference?

Should You Shower at Morning or Night? Here’s What the Experts Say

Why Is It Called a “Phillips Head” Screwdriver?

Should You Use a Lemon to Clean Your Dishwasher?

How Did the Teddy Bear Get Its Name?

Why Is Bubblegum Pink?

Short Order: The Reason Why We Shrink in Height As We Get Older

Yes, You Should Be Cleaning Your Kitchen Sponges—Here’s How

Why Does My Eyelid Sometimes Twitch?

How Did Apple Pie Become an Iconic American Dessert?

Why Does the U.S. Highway System Use Two Different Fonts?

Why Do Some Road Signs Have Holes in Them?

The History—and Value—of the Princess Diana Beanie Baby

Why Do So Many Cartoon Characters Have Four Fingers?

Where Does the Expression ‘Keep Your Eyes Peeled’ Come From?

Why Does My Tap Water Taste So Funny?

Why You Shouldn't Stop Your Dog From Sniffing on Walks

11 Smart Ways to Protect Against Identity Theft