MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

“Now bring us some figgy pudding... maybe.”

What Is Figgy Pudding Anyway?

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

Where the ‘nog’ came from is a bit of a mystery.

How Did Eggnog Get Its Name?

The ‘egg’ part of ‘eggnog’ is obvious. The ‘nog’ is a little more mysterious—possibly involving noggins and/or grog.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley are coming for you this Christmas (and "Last Christmas").

A Brief History of Whamageddon—the Game that Forces You to Avoid Hearing Wham!’s “Last Christmas”

“Last Christmas” is now the centerpiece of a growing holiday tradition based around ... not listening to it.

What Are Frankincense and Myrrh, Anyway?

Frankincense and myrrh are a fragrant part of traditional Christmas celebrations, but what exactly are these pebble-like perfumes?

Ho, Ho, No: The Reason So Many Kids Cry When Meeting Santa

Some children love meeting Santa. Others believe they're meeting the devil himself. Why?

Even a pair of siblings might not really know the difference.

Eldest vs. Oldest: What’s the Difference?

We often use ‘eldest’ and ‘oldest’ interchangeably, but the words shouldn’t be swapped out so easily. Here's how to use each.

Relaxing for some, headache-inducing for others.

Why Does Red Wine Give Some People Headaches?

Some people can drink a lot of wine without ill effect. Others are on the couch after a glass. Science might know why.

How Much Would It Cost to Live on Sesame Street in Real Life?

A home on Sesame Street may have been affordable when the show premiered, but that's no longer the case.

Here Are Two Very Good Reasons Not to Sleep During Your Plane's Take-Off and Landing

Save your nap for the cruising portion of your flight.

Library binding is the best way to keep books in circulation.

What Is ‘Library Binding’?

A very, very specific set of standards can keep books from falling apart. But it's usually too expensive for consumers.

Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?

Don't worry: It's not because sirens hurt dogs’ sensitive ears.

What ‘Sic’ Means—And How To Use It Correctly

The literal meaning of ‘sic’ is ‘so’ or ‘thus.’ But the way writers use it is a little more nuanced.

Doesn't the traffic light itself already cover this?

What’s the Point of a “Wait for Green” Traffic Sign?

The meaning of the “wait for green” traffic sign is less redundant than it seems.

The Reason Dogs Love to Grab Sticks

To your dog, dragging a giant stick home makes all the sense in the world.

Why Do We Only Say “Merry” for Christmas?

Americans favor 'Merry Christmas,' while Brits opt for 'Happy Christmas.' Here's how we got here.

The Truth About Olive Garden’s “Unlimited“ Breadsticks Deal

Olive Garden makes good on its promise of unlimited breadsticks, but the deal does come with some unpublicized caveats.

How Do You Stress the Word: THANKSgiving or ThanksGIVing?

Here’s something else to stress about for Thanksgiving.

What Does the Phrase ‘Talk Turkey’ Mean—And Where Did it Come From?

Before you talk turkey this Thanksgiving, find out what we know about the phrase’s meaning and origins.

Why Is My Turkey Wearing Frilly Paper Hats On Its Legs?

Those frilly paper caps on your turkey's legs have been called “turkey frills,” “turkey booties,” and even “turkey panties.” Here’s where they came from.

T-Glottalization: The Reason Some People Drop Their ‘T’s When Speaking

Dropping that ‘t’ sound is an example of what linguists call glottalization, or replacing a sound with a pause in the vocal cords.

Why Wendy’s Quietly Got Rid of Its Elegant Sunrooms

Solariums are nostalgic for many customers, but Wendy's thinks they’re dated.

There’s no doubt about it—rotting food is gross.

How Did ‘Gross’ Become a Term of Disgust?

The word ‘gross,’ which came to English from French, took on a variety of senses in English related to size. But the ‘gross of today is different from the ‘gross’ of the past thanks to teens.

Why Are Elections Held on Tuesdays?

There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Find out more about the history of Election Day.

Some of these Thanksgiving staples were the result of good marketing.

Why We Eat What We Eat on Thanksgiving

We look back at the history of Thanksgiving to explain how turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie got on your plate.

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