MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Charging your phone shouldn't land you in the burn ward.

Why Do Phone and Computer Chargers Get So Hot? And Is It Dangerous?

If you can iron your shirt with your cell phone brick, you've got a problem.

Why Do McDonald's McFlurry Spoons Have Square Holes in the Handle?

No, you're not supposed to use the square McFlurry spoons from McDonald's like a straw.

You just know which one Goldilocks is going for.

Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen: What’s the Difference?

Deciding when to use an em dash instead of some other punctuation mark is largely up to you—except in situations that call for an en dash or hyphen.

Queen Elizabeth II and company at Buckingham Palace after her coronation in June 1953.

Coronation vs. Accession: What’s the Difference?

Prince Charles’s coronation won’t be for months. Yes, he’s already technically King Charles III.

Why You See Quilt Patterns on So Many Barns

Though the designs can be traced to American folk traditions, quilt barns are part of a contemporary movement.

St. Augustine's Flagler College—originally the Ponce de León Hotel, constructed in 1888.

What's the Oldest City in America?

The oldest city in the U.S. predates Jamestown by more than 40 years.

What's the Difference Between a Sound and a Noise?

'Noise' and 'sound' are often used interchangeably—even when they shouldn't be.

Voting in a church can have some unexpected consequences.

Why Churches Are Such Popular Polling Places

Casting your ballot in a house of worship may influence you more than you realize.

Would a consignment shop take your collection of fuzzy scarves?

Consignment Shop vs. Thrift Store: What’s the Difference?

The differences between consignment and thrift stores go a little deeper than profit margins.

Compliment vs. Complement: What’s the Difference?

If you’re talking about a free hotel breakfast, the word you want is ‘complimentary.’

Stars on homes have been an enduring mystery for some.

What's the Meaning Behind the Metal Stars You Often See on Old Houses?

The five-pointed star is common in the northeast and has been rumored to represent everything from the Amish to swingers.

An illustration of human skeletons from an 1851 encyclopedia.

How Many Bones Are There in the Human Body?

While there's a common answer to the number of bones contained within the human body, it's not exactly accurate.

It's not even close to being this glamorous.

How Do Oysters Make Pearls?

It sometimes starts with a grain of sand—but not always.

How Many Teeth Do Sharks Have?

The answer to how many teeth a shark has is surprisingly complicated.

The Reason a Child's Car Seat Has an Expiration Date

It's not because manufacturers want to keep selling you car seats.

What Are Those Plastic Strips Hanging Off Truck Wheels?

The curious truck accessory may have caught your eye on the road. Here's how a tiny plastic strip keeps drivers safe.

Bookcase vs. Bookshelf: What's the Difference?

That unread copy of 'Ulysses' you bought to impress your friends needs to go somewhere.

Subconscious vs. Unconscious: What’s the Difference?

To Sigmund Freud, there wasn’t one. But the terms aren’t always cited as synonyms.

Why Is Latin a Dead Language?

Latin may be a dead language, but it’s far from extinct.

The Reason So Many Credit Card Companies Are Based in Delaware

Your credit card probably has a return address in Delaware. That's because the second smallest state in the country has some of the biggest corporate perks.

This could be you ... but only if you work for UPS.

UPS Won’t Let Their Delivery Vehicles Be Resold—Here’s Why

You can’t take your UPS driver Halloween costume to the next level by cruising around in an actual UPS truck.

Why Is It Called a Cesarean Section?

It may have something to do with Julius Caesar, but the story isn’t that straightforward.

The Reason UPS Drivers Always Leave Their Doors Open

UPS trucks do have passenger doors, but you almost never see them closed—for a good reason.

A little lad relieving himself is the Renaissance-era version of the peeing Calvin bumper sticker.

Why Are There So Many Ancient Fountains Featuring Little Boys Peeing?

Modern guidebooks offer nearly a dozen different explanations for why Brussels' 'Mannekin Pis' statue is relieving himself.

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