MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Can Plants Die of Old Age?

Houseplants can die of old age, but likely not within your lifetime.

There's a good reason dogs sniff each other's butts.

Why Do Dogs Sniff Each Other's Butts?

Chemicals from special glands on a dog’s rear end tell other dogs a lot about them. Here’s why dogs sniff each other's butts.

Some cheese should be treated with suspicion.

What's the White Stuff on Cheese?

There's a fine line between delicious and disgusting.

We have some bad news about your ‘hypoallergenic’ pet.

Is There Such Thing as a Hypoallergenic Pet?

We asked some allergy experts if a truly hypoallergenic animal actually exists.

Ever wondered how the front passenger seat of a car came to be called "shotgun"?

Why is the Passenger Seat Called "Shotgun"?

John Wayne had a little to do with it.

Sharing food can heighten your own perception of it.

The Reason Food Off Someone Else’s Plate Always Seems to Taste Better, According to Science

Swiping a French fry can trigger a thought process that can make it even more delicious.

What are those black tubes across the road for?

Why You Sometimes See Black Tubes Stretched Across the Road

Using simple technology, they can tell a lot about your vehicle.

'Equity' and 'equality' are not quite the same.

What’s the Difference Between Equity and Equality?

The dictionary definition of ‘equity’ seems similar to that of ‘equality,’ but there’s an important distinction between the two.

What Ever Happened To Waterbeds?

Waterbeds were once a coveted "fluid fixture" of bedrooms—until, suddenly, they weren't. So who or what led to their demise?

Why Does Squinting Help You See Better?

Why does using less of your eye help you see something more clearly? There's a pretty simple explanation.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

Council vs. Counsel: What’s the Difference?

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

Can Catholics Eat Meat This St. Patrick’s Day? It’s Complicated

For practicing Catholics, meat is off limits on Fridays during Lent. But they might be able to make an exception this March 17.

Think incognito browsing hides everything? Think again.

Why Browsing in Incognito Mode Isn’t as Private as You Think

Reminder: 'Incognito' doesn’t mean 'safe for work.'

Identify whether you're feeling angst, ennui, or weltschmerz with this handy guide.

How to Tell Whether You've Got Angst, Ennui, or Weltschmerz

English never hesitates to borrow words that would lose certain subtleties in translation, and angst, ennui, and weltschmerz have made their way into English by offering a little something extra.

How Much Should You Feed a Dog?

Pay attention to calories rather than the volume of pet food you feed your dog.

Macaroon vs. Macaron: What’s the Difference?

‘Macaron’ and ‘macaroon’ aren’t just two versions of the same word. These days, anyway.

Can You Really Laugh Yourself to Death?

In 1975, a woman found her husband dead in a chair after watching a BBC sitcom. He had been laughing for almost a half-hour. Was it merriment that killed him?

The Best Time to Go Thrift Shopping, According to Goodwill

There is a perfect time to go to your local thrift store if you want to find the best deals.

Consider these elements when choosing where to sit at the theater.

This Is the Best Place to Sit in a Movie Theater

There is a seat in every movie theater that will give you an optimal viewing experience, and it's not necessarily in the dead-center row.

Why Is It Called “Corned Beef” If It Doesn’t Contain Corn?

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

There's a Good Reason Europeans Think American Chocolate Tastes Like Vomit

There's a scientific explanation for the "vomit" notes some Europeans taste in Hershey's chocolate.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

Queen vs. Queen Consort: What’s the Difference?

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

The gas pump nozzle's frequent shut offs are all about safety.

The Reason Why the Gas Pump Nozzle Is Always Shutting Off on You

It never fails. You stop to refuel and the gas pump takes on a mind of its own. Here's why it keeps interrupting your flow.

Could You Bite Off Someone’s Finger?

Where there’s a will, there's a way.

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