MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Talking about being fired can make people apprehensive.

Got a Job Interview and Need to Explain Why You Were Fired? Here's How

Talking about being fired can be uncomfortable, but there's a simple way to discuss it without being defensive.

Why Do Dogs Like to Bury Things?

Dogs can tear up a lawn with an overwhelming desire to dig and bury things. Where does that impulse come from, and what do they think they're accomplishing?

Hands are built-in tools for detecting bad breath.

Why Can’t You Smell Your Own Breath? There Are a Few Theories

In order to cure halitosis, you have to realize you have bad breath in the first place. Here’s why that’s hard to do.

Absentee Ballot vs. Mail-In Ballot: What’s the Difference?

States are changing their vote-by-mail rules for this year’s general election. Here's what you need to know.

What the Color Codes on Toothpaste Tubes Really Mean

The small, colored rectangles above the seams of toothpaste tubes have nothing to do with its ingredients.

Dogs appear to be running in their sleep. Why?

The Reason Dogs Run In Their Sleep

Dogs tend to get a little exercise in even when they're resting. Is it really because they're dreaming about running?

Voting by mail isn't the type of task you can procrastinate.

How—and When—to Vote by Mail in Each State

Many states are letting residents vote by mail in this November’s presidential election—here’s how to do it.

What Makes Bread Dough Rise?

When your bread dough doubles in size overnight, you have a hard-working team of microorganisms to thank.

It's not exactly the "safety in numbers" situation you might be imagining.

What Is Herd Immunity?

The facts on where it comes from, how it works, and whether it could happen with the novel coronavirus.

Alfred Nobel on the front of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

How Does the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Process Work?

Only certain people can submit nominations, and the Nobel Committee isn’t allowed to reveal nominees or nominators until 50 years later.

Our brains may be wired to recognize that shapes can indicate danger.

The Reason Why Road Signs Have Different Shapes

Traffic signs come in a variety of shapes. The Department of Transportation thinks your brain will recognize that some of them mean more danger than others.

Airplane fuel sometimes needs to be jettisoned.

The Reason Why Fuel Dumped From an Airplane Doesn't Reach the Ground

Planes sometimes need to dump fuel to keep their weight down for a safe emergency landing. Here's why it doesn't hit anything.

Dogs use physical contact for a lot of the same reasons humans do.

The Reason Dogs Put Their Paws on You

Dogs like to rest a paw on their owners for a number of reasons, but establishing dominance isn't one of them.

Skillet vs. Sauté Pan: What’s the Difference?

Ironically, a skillet is better for sautéing than a sauté pan is. (But sauté pans have their own skill set.)

"What did I tell you about the elbows, Susie?"

Why Is It Considered Rude to Eat With Your Elbows on the Table?

Even Emily Post, the queen of table manners, sometimes graced the tabletop with her elbows. What gives?

Your sheets need to be washed on a regular basis.

Here's How Often You Should Be Washing Your Sheets

Bedsheets may look clean, but they harbor a variety of nasty things—from dust mites to, yes, even poop.

These seemingly random digits can tell you a lot.

What Do the Numbers on Barcodes Mean?

Barcode scanners don’t need to register the number below the barcode, but it can tell you a lot about a product.

Fabric softener acts as a lubricant for your laundry.

What Does Fabric Softener Actually Do?

Fabric softener is supposed to reduce friction and wrinkles and prolong the life of your clothing. But there are some downsides to using it.

Pharmacists are happy to help. But only after you've walked through the entire store.

The Reason Pharmacies Are Usually Located in the Back of a Store

There's an excellent reason why pharmacy locations like CVS and Walgreens make you walk all the way through the store before picking up your antibiotics.

Coronavirus vaccine trials pose a lot of questions for those looking to volunteer.

10 Questions About Joining a Coronavirus Vaccine Trial, Answered

Thinking of enrolling in one of the coronavirus vaccine trials being conducted around the country? Here's what you need to know.

Earthquakes don't cause giant cartoonish chasms to open up, but they can tear up the landscape like this.

9 Rockin' Facts About Earthquakes

Fear not: the chances of “The Big One” hitting while you read this article are very, very slim. But that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

The face of a dog who clearly knows that a hard rain's a-gonna fall.

The Reason Dogs Are Terrified of Thunderstorms—And How You Can Help

Your dog’s anxiety might be from the thunder itself—or it could be related to knowing a thunderstorm is coming.

Why Do We Say ‘Spill the Beans’?

The phrase was around long before Kevin Malone dropped his famous chili in season five of ‘The Office.’

If you're looking for a caffeine fix, you know that orange pot isn't going to help.

Why Are Decaf Coffee Pots Orange?

Both decaf and regular coffee drinkers know what the orange spout and handle on a carafe means, but they may not know why the color was chosen.

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