MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

“Shoot, did that plant have leaves of three?”

Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy?

Dogs can potentially have an allergic reaction to poison ivy, and they can also transmit the irritating oils to people. Here's what to do if you pet encounters the plant.

Why Does ‘Joshing’ Mean “Kidding Around”?

The word dates back to the mid-19th century, and has taken many forms.

Why ALDI Covers Its Packaging in Giant Barcodes

ALDI’s in-house products are covered in barcodes, and consumers benefit.

Having second thoughts about not wearing socks.

Why Do We Say People Get ‘Cold Feet’ Before a Wedding?

Brides or grooms with second thoughts are said to have chilly extremities. The origin of the phrase has a little something to do with poker.

Land Sickness can be just as unsettling as seasickness.

What Is Land Sickness—and Why Does it Happen?

Seasickness happens when a person’s body struggles to grow accustomed to a boat’s motion patterns, causing them to feel unsteady and often nauseated. But land sickness happens in reverse.

Why You Should Never Wash Raw Chicken

Rinsing raw poultry creates more problems than it solves.

Albert Einstein is credited with more famous quotations than he actually came up with.

‘Definition of Insanity’: Did Albert Einstein Really Coin This Famous Phrase?

Is Einstein's definition of insanity world-famous or just a myth?

Why Are Birds Attacking My Windows?

Nothing says “springtime” like the maddening, irregular percussion of a bird’s beak rapping repeatedly against your window.

Just looking at this makes your skin crawl.

Why Do Mosquito Bites Itch So Much?

The telltale itch of a mosquito bite doesn’t actually come from the bite itself. It comes from something that’s a fair bit worse: literal blood-sucking.

Break out the dictionary and start counting.

How Many Words Are There in the English Language?

It’s complicated—and there are more questions than answers.

Why TSA Rules Vary From Airport to Airport

There’s actually a simple reason why TSA protocol depends on the airport.

Why Is It Called a “Hamburger” If It Doesn’t Contain Ham?

Here's how the hamburger came by its misleading name.

This illustration features elements of both circuses and carnivals.

Carnival vs. Circus: What’s the Difference?

Although the line between the two is sometimes a little blurred, their origins are actually very distinct.

The open road is the last place you want to be during a tornado.

Should You Ever Park Under an Overpass During a Tornado?

Overpasses are widely seen as safe shelters during a severe weather event. In reality, they're deadly.

Why Does My Cat Cry at Night?

There are a few reason why your cat might be meowing late at night—we asked an expert how to stop the behavior.

Why Is It Called an “Elevator Pitch”?

A quick sales attempt is said to be an “elevator pitch.” But does it actually have anything to do with elevators?

Can a Dead Body Still Get a Suntan?

So, you're dead. Do you still need sunscreen?

Just because Garfield devours it doesn't mean this kitty should.

Can Cats Actually Eat Lasagna?

Garfield isn’t exactly the best litmus test when it comes to determining whether or not lasagna is safe for cats to eat.

Why Are My Shoes Squeaky?

Squeaky shoes can happen for a number of reasons, including friction and moisture. But whether they fart or squeak, here are a few things you can do about that noisy footwear.