MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Red vs. Gray Fox: What's the Difference?

Here's how to identify red and gray foxes, plus some helpful information about where the foxes live and what they eat.

What the @%$!! is the oldest known curse word?

What‘s the Oldest Curse Word in English?

The four-letter words that still have the power to offend took a circuitous route out of our mouths and into our language.

Why Does Weed Make You Hungry?

Marijuana really does give you the munchies—here's the science behind why.

The Unexpected History of the ‘Little Jack Horner’ Nursery Rhyme

Like most nursery rhymes, rumors have long swirled about its allegedly dark origin story—one that’s said to involve Henry VIII and bribery.

Why Do We Call It a “Rain Check”?

When we promise to honor a commitment, it's a "rain check." And yes, it originally had something to do with the weather.

'Organic' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy.'

What Does 'Organic' Mean?

To be certified as organic, farmers can’t use prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones for three full years before applying. Further, any animals they have must be raised on organic foods.

A Latte Trouble: Is Decaf Coffee Bad for You?

Some decaf coffee contains trace amounts of a carcinogen. Should we be worried?

Why Is It So Common to See Just One Shoe, Not Two, On the Side of the Road?

You may not have given it much thought in the past, but you've most definitely seen a single shoe hanging around the side of the road. How did it get there?

A grain of salt a day keeps the misinformation away.

Why Do We Tell People to Take Something “With a Grain of Salt”?

‘Take it with a grain of salt’ all (probably) started with Pliny the Elder, but he was talking about literal poison.

A vintage engraving of London Bridge in the late 19th century.

The Dark Theories Behind the “London Bridge Is Falling Down” Nursery Rhyme

There are a handful of dark theories about the rhyme’s inspiration—ranging from a Viking invasion to human sacrifice—but we’ll cross that bridge when get to it. First up, let’s break down the known history of the tune.

Indian cabbage white butterfly (left), luna moth (right).

What’s the Difference Between Moths and Butterflies?

Both develop from caterpillars and both have impressive wings, but if you know what to look for, it's easy to tell moths and butterflies apart.

Why Are Michigan’s Bottle Deposits So High?

Michigan maintains one of the most successful bottle return programs in America.

What Do A.M. and P.M. Stand For?

The abbreviations are widely understood as “morning” and “afternoon,” but what do the Latin translations actually mean?

Be proactive and have a plan in place before disaster strikes.

The Science of Staying Safe in an Earthquake

Here’s how to be prepared for what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Surprisingly, there is truth in this advertising.

Does Febreze Really “Trap” Bad Odors?

When you spritz some Febreze into the air, it actually uses compounds called cyclodextrins to trap those odor-causing molecules.

Why Do Cats Follow You to the Bathroom?

Cats love to lurk around tubs like feline voyeurs. What causes this behavior?

Why Are Bagpipes Played at Police Funerals?

The bagpipe is a tradition at first responder services. How did that happen?

Why Aren’t There B Batteries?

Once upon a time, there used to be B batteries, but they’re not manufactured anymore. Here’s why they disappeared from shelves.

Wendy's isn't afraid to show off their beef.

Why Are Wendy’s Burgers Square?

The shape of Wendy’s square burgers has nothing to do with taste and everything to do with marketing.

Pigs vs. Hogs: What’s the Difference?

Though they’re technically the same animal, there’s an important difference between pigs and hogs. Boars are a different story altogether.

How Did the White Picket Fence Become a Symbol of the American Dream?

The white picket fence has become a cliché for suburbia. Blame archers.

Why Catalina Island Put Its Bison on Birth Control

After it formed, the Catalina Island Conservancy had to figure out how to manage the island's invasive ungulates.

Is Death by Guillotine Painless?

Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin described the guillotine's effect as being “Like a cool breath on the back of the neck.” Anne Boleyn would likely disagree.

Everybunny wants to know why we call rabbits “bunnies.”

How Did ‘Bunny’ Become a Word for ‘Rabbit’?

When it comes to abbreviations for animal names, doggy for dog makes sense, as does kitty for cat, when you think about it: Kitty comes from the word kitten. But where does bunny for rabbit come from?

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