MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

The Origins of 10 Nicknames

Where did we get Dick from Richard? Why is Bill short for William?

A Carl's Jr. opened in New York City in 2018.

What’s the Difference Between Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.?

The signs and menus look exactly alike, down to that cheery little star. Are they the same restaurant?

The Reason Police Officers Tap Your Taillight When They Pull You Over

The practice dates back decades.

Jive vs. Jibe vs. Gibe: What’s the Difference?

This information might not jibe with what you’ve heard before.

Palate vs. Palette vs. Pallet: What’s the Difference?

Here are some mnemonic devices to help you master this triple homophonic whammy.

With these delicious alonds, I thee wed...

Why People Give Out Jordan Almonds at Weddings

The candy-coated almonds are a traditional part of many Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern wedding celebrations.

When to snip, and when to put your scissors away.

Why Some Pockets on Your Jackets Are Sewn Shut (and How to Tell If You Should Cut Them Open)

Nix those unnecessary stitches.

A lion as depicted in a French Book of Hours, circa 1432.

Why Medieval Artists Drew Such Goofy Looking Lions

Just because lions were depicted frequently in medieval art and design doesn’t mean they were depicted well.

Here’s Why Companies Release Their Super Bowl Ads Early

Ads used to be cloaked in secrecy before the big game. A 2011 Star Wars spot changed all that.

A number of factors go into the price of truffles.

Why Are Truffles So Expensive?

To figure out a little bit about why truffles are so expensive, Mental Floss talked to Vittorio Giordano, the Vice President and Truffle Guru at Urbani Truffles USA.

A lorry by any other name would carry as much cargo.

Why Are Trucks Called “Lorries” in the UK?

It wasn’t inspired by a beast of burden named Laurie, if that’s what you assumed.

The Origins of 7 Common Units of Measurement

Ever wonder why there are 5280 feet in a mile?

There are a few workarounds to the iPad’s lack of calculator.

Why Don’t Apple iPads Have a Calculator?

Apple’ s iPad is a versatile computing device that has pretty much anything a user could ever want—except a standard calculator. Here’ s why.

Snowfall vs. Snow Depth: What’s the Difference?

We dig into this winter puzzler.

Cacao vs. Cocoa: What's the Difference?

‘Cacao’ and ‘cocoa’ started out as synonyms—but there’s a little more to unpack in today’s product labels.

How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

Diamonds are forever. So is debt, if you’re not careful.

The Reason So Many Movies Open on Christmas Day

Christmas is one of the most profitable times of the year for film studios, who count on people desperate to get away from their families for a couple of hours.

Celine Dion performs in London's Hyde Park.

What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome?

Celine Dion recently announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that only affects about one or two out of every 1 million people.

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25?

Jesus’s birthday is subject to interpretation, and there are plenty of intriguing theories to explain how we landed on December 25 to celebrate Christmas.