MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a great addition to any herb garden.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What’s the Difference?

They’ll both leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, but one type of mint might do a better job than the other.

Airborne vs. Aerosol vs. Droplet: What's the Difference?

The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted through saliva droplets coughed into the air. Here's the terminology you need to know to understand its transmission.

She may decide to use might in her essay.

May vs. Might: When to Use Each Word

'May' and 'might' are two modal verbs that are often used interchangeably, but there are grammar rules governing which one is technically correct.

The Reason Toilet Paper Is Always White

Consumers are used to options, but with toilet paper, it's white or nothing. The reason why is a little messy.

Stained-glass windows showing Saints Victor and Corona in Redeemer Church in Trentino, Italy.

Is St. Corona Really the Patron Saint of Pandemics, Epidemics, or Plagues?

The coincidence that Corona happens to be the patron saint of epidemics or infectious diseases seems a little fishy.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIH, Flickr // Public Domain

15 Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus and COVID-19

You may be feeling a lot of anxiety over the new coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. Here are some panic-free pointers to get you through this pandemic.

At McDonald's, you could probably quench the thirst of a family of four for just $1.

The Reason Why McDonald’s Soft Drinks Are All $1—Regardless of Size

The $1 soft drinks and other items on the McDonald’s Dollar Menu are a clever way to get you in the door.

This IKEA mug has a low-key design element that might make your day a little easier.

The Smart Reason IKEA Mugs Come With a Chip on the Bottom

The VARDAGEN series from IKEA features mugs and teacups with tiny chips on the bottom. It's not a shipping mishap. It's intentional.

Hotels often offer a complimentary pastry and fruit breakfast.

What Makes a Hotel Breakfast 'Continental'?

Hotels offer pastries, fruit, and coffee as a guest perk. But what makes it a 'continental' breakfast?

Returning a mail-order mattress is more complicated than it sounds.

Here's What Happens to Returned Mail-Order Mattresses

Mail-order mattress companies make solemn oaths that consumers can return purchases. The problem is that the companies can't accept them. So what happens next?

Why Do We Call the NCAA Basketball Tournament 'March Madness'?

The story of March Madness has everything: Chaucer, sex-crazed hares, Alice in Wonderland, lawsuits, and a basketball coach-turned-poet from Illinois.

Coronavirus precautions have led to questions over methods of isolation.

Isolation vs. Quarantine: What's the Difference?

Viral outbreaks often necessitate patient isolation or quarantine. But what separates each separation?

Why We Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day

Though it's the official dish of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day in America, corned beef and cabbage was actually popularized in New York City.

The Psychological Reason Coronavirus Is Prompting People to Hoard Toilet Paper

Of all the personal essentials needed in the event of a national health concern, why are people stocking up on Charmin?

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to Australia in 2011.

Why Queen Elizabeth II Doesn’t Need a Passport to Travel Abroad

It’s unnecessary for the queen to carry a UK passport, but the perk doesn’t extend to the rest of the royal family.

Sadly, ALDI doesn't stand for “Awesome Lunch and Dinner Items” or “Always Loving Discounts, Inc.”

What Does ALDI Stand For, Anyway?

The first ALDI locations bore a different name, but the owners had changed it by the time they had brought their grocery stores to the U.S.

Height isn't the only difference between horses and ponies.

What's the Difference Between Horses and Ponies?

Knowing your equines is no mere horseplay. Here's how to tell the difference between horses, ponies, and even miniature horses.

How to Win Your Next Game of Monopoly

If you want to win your next game of Monopoly, follow these strategic rules and dominate the competition.

Looks like these stickers were handed out at a primary, not a caucus.

What’s the Difference Between a Primary and a Caucus?

Primary elections help us decide which presidential candidates will compete in the general election, but the processes vary by state.

Ice machines can be found in virtually every American hotel.

The Surprising Reason Hotels Have Ice Machines

Ice machines have become as pervasive in hotels as ironing boards. While they've always been there, the ice hasn't always been free.

If scientists can't develop a vaccine for a new virus quickly enough, an epidemic can turn into a pandemic.

Pandemic vs. Epidemic: What’s the Difference?

Definitions of 'pandemic' and 'epidemic' differ, but it’s not always clear which one best describes a disease outbreak like the new coronavirus.

You’re Probably Pronouncing Nevada All Wrong

It's a question that Americans have been arguing about for decades: How exactly do you pronounce Nevada?

Prince George with his mother, Kate Middleton, and sister, Princess Charlotte, during a 2016 trip to Canada.

The Reason Prince George Always Wears Shorts

Prince George’s combinations of knee socks and shorts have made him a royal family fashion icon just like his mother, Kate Middleton.

Why Are Shower Doors in Hotel Rooms Getting Smaller?

In lieu of hanging shower curtains or providing full shower doors, many newer hotels are opting for glass panels that cover only half the length of the shower. Why?

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