MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Can Honey Go Bad?

Honey can spend years in a pantry without spoiling because bees are very diligent when it comes to food safety.

Rock salt can damage concrete driveways.

The Reason You Should Never Spread Rock Salt on Concrete Driveways

Millions of people treat slippery surfaces with rock salt, but it can wind up doing your driveway a lot more harm than good.

Public bathrooms are uncomfortable for a reason.

The Reason Public Bathroom Stalls Have Gaps

The design of public restrooms guarantees you'll never be all that comfortable. Blame Frank Lloyd Wright.

An 'ice volcano' erupts along Lake Michigan.

'Ice Volcanoes' Are Forming—Here's Why

The peculiar mounds of ice that 'erupt' with water are popping up near the Great Lakes and as far away as Kazakhstan.

Snow tires can help you get a grip on winter weather.

All-Season Tires vs. Snow Tires: What's the Difference?

If you live in a snowy climate, investing in a set of snow tires can keep you on the road. Here's how.

The Real Reason Cars Have Those 'Grab Handles' Above the Doors

This particular car safety feature isn’t so your passengers can wordlessly convey that they think you’re a reckless driver.

If they're not sitting at a desk all day, they might be a blue-collar worker.

Blue Collar vs. White Collar Jobs: What’s the Difference?

White collar jobs are purportedly better paying and more respectable than blue collar jobs—here’s how that came to be.

JLGutierrez/iStock via Getty Images Plus

What's the Difference Between Copyright, Trademark, and Patents?

When you have a great idea, do you copyright, trademark, or patent it? Well, it all depends on what kind of idea it is.

As potholes go, this one is pretty photogenic.

How Do Potholes Form?

Potholes are the bane of drivers everywhere. Unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent them from forming.

How to Stop a Running Toilet Without Calling a Plumber

A hissing or noisy throne is usually an easy fix if you know what to look for. Here's how to stop a running toilet.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), NOAA

What Exactly Is a Nor’easter?

Nor’easters have earned their reputation for wreaking havoc on land. But what qualifies a storm as a nor’easter?

What's the Difference Between Buzzards and Vultures?

If you call a buzzard a vulture in the UK, be prepared to get some strange looks. There is a difference between the two birds of prey.

Chains hanging from service vehicles serve a purpose.

The Reason Service Vehicles Like Ambulances and Fire Trucks Have Chains Hanging From the Bottom

Like a cat on a perch, the chains on school buses and ambulances seem to dangle with no apparent purpose. Their true mission is actually pretty clever.

The Reason Your Cat Loves to Sit On Your Computer Keyboard

This confounding cat behavior is mostly because our furry friends love warm spots and attention from you.

Miranda is an important character in Shakespeare's The Tempest, but she's not the titular role.

Titular vs. Eponymous: What’s the Difference?

The definition of ‘eponymous’ has changed over time, and ‘titular’ has more than one. Here’s how to use each word correctly.

Yes, You Can Reverse a Cavity—Here’s How

Those white spots on your teeth might be trying to tell you something (like that your mouth is suffering a plaque attack).

Why Does Our Hair Grow Darker as We Get Older?

You can chalk it up to hormone changes, but your genes aren’t so innocent when it comes to hair color.

What’s the Difference Between Bagels and Bialys?

Bagels and bialys are often lumped together. They're both round, chewy, and are sold in shops around New York City. But these two staples of Jewish delicatessen cuisine differ in some major ways.

Presidents Day 2021: A Handy Guide to What’s Open and What’s Closed?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday, so lots of government-run offices are closed. Retailers, on the other hand, are not.

Low Blow: How Can Martial Artists Get Hit in the Crotch Without Getting Hurt?

Ancient kung fu techniques seemingly allow experts to absorb groin strikes without flinching. Is it a trick, or are they just nuts?

Why Are Dogs So Afraid of Vacuums?

Just like fireworks and thunderstorms, vacuums are unexpectedly loud—but that’s not the only reason your dog hates them so much.

Amazon returns might be easier to handle than you think.

How to Return an Amazon Package Without Mailing It Back

If you've discarded the box and don't have a printer handy, you can still return items to Amazon for a refund. Here's how.

What Does a Screensaver Actually Do?

Screensavers really used to save computer screens from getting damaged. Now, they serve other purposes.

The Unappetizing Origins of 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'

It started centuries ago, when puddings contained spices, cereal, and potentially putrid minced meat.

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