MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Have Oscar Nominees Ever Competed Against Themselves? Yes—Surprisingly Often

Someone gets nominated twice in the same Oscar category nearly every year, surprisingly.

Presidents Day vs. President’s Day vs. Presidents’ Day: Which One Is It?

The apostrophe in Presidents Day—or President's Day or Presidents's Day—is all over the place ... or nowhere to be found at all.

Why Do We Say ‘Sweat Like a Pig’?

Swine don‘t really sweat much. So why do we associate them with being nervous?

A map of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 showing where the fire burned.

Did a Cow Really Cause the Great Chicago Fire of 1871?

Many believed the origin of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a cow kicking over a lantern. A map of the fire’s path suggested otherwise.

In Layman’s Terms, What Is the Meaning of ‘Layman's Terms’?

We offer an explanation about the meaning of layman's terms anyone can understand.

Is your neighbor acting strangely? Must be a full moon.

Does the Full Moon Really Make People Act Strangely?

Along with Mercury in retrograde, the full moon is a pretty popular scapegoat for bad luck and bizarre behavior. Is it warranted?

There’s more to frogs versus toads than meets the eye.

What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Are frogs and toads really that different? Get the facts on their appearance, habitats, and breeding habits and learn how to tell them apart.

Retro Pepsi-Cola logos from the mid-20th century.

Pop Star: How Pepsi Got Its Name

Pepsi-Cola was named for two ingredients that it doesn't (and possibly never did) contain.

Who First Said ‘The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword’?

Weirdly enough, it's the same guy who gave Snoopy the opening to his epically bad novel.

What’s the Difference Between Bobcats and Lynx?

Both cats live in North America. Here's how to tell the difference between the two wild felines.

Decades after the footprints that popped up in northern California, they were alleged to be a hoax.

The Hoax That Led to the Word ‘Bigfoot’

When 16-inch-long tracks began popping up on northern California logging sites in 1958, workers dubbed the culprit ‘Big Foot’—but decades later, the whole thing was revealed to be a hoax.

The Super Bowl has a unique numbering system.

Why Does the Super Bowl Use Roman Numerals?

The National Football League doesn’t want to confuse you.

The origins of Taco Tuesday are surprisingly complicated.

The Surprisingly Contentious Origins of Taco Tuesday

The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has finally entered the public domain (unless you’re in New Jersey).

She's probably spent the last 20 minutes listening to the same fuzzy song on a loop.

Why Hold Music Is So Annoying

There are some psychological reasons why being put on hold is such a frustrating experience.

This person is literally feeling their oats—but is that where the phrase came from?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Feeling One’s Oats’ Come From?

The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

Why in tarnation do we think Yosemite Sam always said "tarnation"?

What in Tarnation Is ‘Tarnation’?

The origins and meaning of 'tarnation' are simple; its 'Looney Tunes' legacy is anything but.

That’s a groundhog who was woken up too early.

Where Did Groundhog Day Come From?

Will the groundhog see its shadow? Uncover the history and folklore behind Groundhog Day and its connection to weather forecasting.

What’s the Correct Pronunciation of ‘February’?

In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “FEB-yoo-air-ee.” Both Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries consider the common pronunciation correct, along with the less common, more traditional standard “FEB-roo-air-ee.”

You've probably been within spitting distance of a nuclear warhead without even realizing it.

See How the U.S. Government Transports Its Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.