MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?

It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.

Why Are Some Liquors Called “Spirits”?

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

Why Does My Dog Lick Me?

Your dog’s motivations for licking you range from adorable to disgusting.

Every birthday counts when you just have one life.

Why Do We Say Cats Have Nine Lives?

Though cats only live once, the idea that the animals have nine lives has been around for a long time.

Why Is It Called a “Monkey Wrench”?

The heavy-duty tool is said to be the work of a man named Moncke. Or was it Moncay?

One of the few days this family probably used their dining rooms.

What Happened to Dining Rooms?

Fewer and fewer newly constructed homes actually have dining rooms. Here’s why.

You know this squirrel got these two cats talking.

Why Do Cats ‘Chatter’ and ‘Chirp’ at Birds?

There’s a natural explanation for the very un-catlike sounds your pet starts emitting when it sees a bird or squirrel.

Sneezing is gross, but it’s also normal.

Is Holding in a Sneeze Bad for You?

Many people underestimate the damage that suppressing a sneeze can cause.

Something to think about while you’re casting your ballot.

Why Do We Vote in November?

There were some very compelling reasons for choosing the first Tuesday in November as Election Day—at least, they were when that date was chosen.

Why Do We Go Trick-or-Treating on Halloween?

Historians link trick-or-treating to a few different ancestors, some old and some new.

A farrier holding a horse’s newly shod hoof.

Why Do Some Horses Need Shoes, But Cows Don't?

There are many reasons why horses might need shoes. There’s pretty much only one reason why cows don’t.

Why Movie Theater Popcorn Tastes So Good

Movie theater popcorn really does taste different than the stuff you make at home. Here’s why.

'Knotty muscles' can be a real pain in the neck.

Are ‘Muscle Knots’ Actually Knots?

The nagging pain in your neck may feel tight, but it's knot what you think.

Graveyard vs. Cemetery: What’s the Difference?

Both are places where we bury the dearly departed, and the words are often used interchangeably. But that hasn’t always been the case.

Do you have an addiction to ghost stories?

Why Do We Tell Scary Ghost Stories?

People have been telling ghost stories for thousands of years. We dive into the psychology behind why people are drawn to such terrifying tales.

Gourds (left) and squash (right) are similar, but one shouldn’t be eaten.

Gourd vs. Squash: What’s the Difference?

Matters become more confusing when you add pumpkins to the mix.

If you ever freeze after hearing something go ‘bump’ in the night, you’re not alone.

Why Do We Freeze When We’re Scared?

You’ve likely heard of fight or flight, but a third reaction—to freeze—is misunderstood by many.

They may look weird, but they are perfectly fine to eat.

Why Do Some Pumpkins Have Warts?

Some gourds are bred to have a bumpy appearance.

Linguine vs. Fettuccine vs. Spaghetti: What’s the Difference?

The three types of pasta are all long, but when and how you use them will make all the difference for your meals.

Moo Deng’s cuteness is hijacking our brains.

The Science Behind the Internet’s Obsession With Moo Deng, Thailand's Celebrity Pygmy Hippo

If you experience a violent reaction to Moo Deng’s cuteness, you’re not alone.

Old age may precede dying, but it doesn’t directly cause it.

Do People Really Die of ‘Old Age’?

Can an octogenarian really just collapse from the wear and tear of life?

For some people, the “Countdown to Christmas” really is the most wonderful time of the year.

How Schmaltzy Hallmark Christmas Movies Came to Rule the Holiday Season

The Hallmark Channel’s annual Countdown to Christmas kicks off every October. But the channel's reputation for producing feel-good holiday films began years before the annual event.

President Theodore Roosevelt, the youngest U.S. president.

Who Are the Youngest Presidents Ever Elected?

Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Bill Clinton are among the youngest U.S. presidents.

The crescent wrench has helped DIYers for decades.

Why Is It Called a “Crescent Wrench”?

A Swedish immigrant changed the face of wrenches forever.

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