MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

What ‘Sic’ Means—And How To Use It Correctly

The literal meaning of ‘sic’ is ‘so’ or ‘thus.’ But the way writers use it is a little more nuanced.

Doesn't the traffic light itself already cover this?

What’s the Point of a “Wait for Green” Traffic Sign?

The meaning of the “wait for green” traffic sign is less redundant than it seems.

The Reason Dogs Love to Grab Sticks

To your dog, dragging a giant stick home makes all the sense in the world.

Why Do We Only Say “Merry” for Christmas?

Americans favor 'Merry Christmas,' while Brits opt for 'Happy Christmas.' Here's how we got here.

The Truth About Olive Garden’s “Unlimited“ Breadsticks Deal

Olive Garden makes good on its promise of unlimited breadsticks, but the deal does come with some unpublicized caveats.

How Do You Stress the Word: THANKSgiving or ThanksGIVing?

Here’s something else to stress about for Thanksgiving.

What Does the Phrase ‘Talk Turkey’ Mean—And Where Did it Come From?

Before you talk turkey this Thanksgiving, find out what we know about the phrase’s meaning and origins.

Why Is My Turkey Wearing Frilly Paper Hats On Its Legs?

Those frilly paper caps on your turkey's legs have been called “turkey frills,” “turkey booties,” and even “turkey panties.” Here’s where they came from.

T-Glottalization: The Reason Some People Drop Their ‘T’s When Speaking

Dropping that ‘t’ sound is an example of what linguists call glottalization, or replacing a sound with a pause in the vocal cords.

Why Wendy's Quietly Got Rid of Its Elegant Sunrooms

Solariums are nostalgic for many customers, but Wendy's thinks they’re dated.

There’s no doubt about it—rotting food is gross.

How Did ‘Gross’ Become a Term of Disgust?

The word ‘gross,’ which came to English from French, took on a variety of senses in English related to size. But the ‘gross of today is different from the ‘gross’ of the past thanks to teens.

Why Are Elections Held on Tuesdays?

There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Find out more about the history of Election Day.

Some of these Thanksgiving staples were the result of good marketing.

Why We Eat What We Eat on Thanksgiving

We look back at the history of Thanksgiving to explain how turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie got on your plate.

People have kept these beautiful fish as pets for centuries.

How the Goldfish Became Everyone’s First Pet

They’re quintessential starter pets for young children. But it’s important to know how to properly care for a pet goldfish.

Some male lions simply don’t have manes. What’s up with that?

Why Do Some Male Lions Lack Manes?

Climate can cause a big difference in how much hair a lion grows.

A dreidel and pile of chocolate gelt are a common sight during Hanukkah celebrations.

The Surprising History of the Hanukkah Dreidel

It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.

Why Is an Informant Called a ‘Stool Pigeon‘?

Pigeons aren’t known to be particularly talkative birds.

A hearse with S-shaped bars in place of back windows.

Why Do Hearses Have Metal S-Shaped Scrolls Where the Back Windows Should Be?

A brief history of landau bars.

What’s the Purpose of a Turkey’s Wattle?

The loose flesh that hangs from a turkey’s neck isn’t the most attractive part of the bird—to humans, at least.

Cleaning a porta potty is no walk in the park.

How Are Porta Potties Cleaned?

To keep porta potties (relatively) clean, sanitation workers require special equipment and a strong stomach.

Why Is Opening an Umbrella Indoors Supposed to Be Bad Luck?

When it comes to superstitions about bad luck, indoor umbrellas are right up there with broken mirrors and black cats.

Modern office machines are made to fit a certain size of paper.

The Reason Why a Standard Piece of Paper Is 8.5 Inches by 11 Inches

The letter-sized standard actually has roots in the 1660s, when paper was made by hand—and Herbert Hoover had something to do with it, too.

Use of the word ‘placebo’ in a medical context is more recent than you might think.

Why Is It Called the “Placebo Effect”?

What is a placebo? Technically, a Latin phrase meaning ‘I will please.’ It’s also a Catholic prayer and a clever insult.

A cosplayer dressed as Freddy Krueger during Comic Con.

The Smart—and Scientific—Reason Freddy Krueger’s Sweater Is Red- and Green-Striped

Wes Craven didn’t intend for his classic horror film villain to look like he was headed to a Christmas party.