MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

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.

Why Is an Informant Called a ‘Stool Pigeon‘?

Pigeons aren’t known to be particularly talkative birds.

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.

Hawaii is home to a number of lava tubes.

What Is a Lava Tube, and Where Can I Find One?

Caves and volcanoes don’t often go hand-in-hand in our imaginations, but the second most common type of cave in the world is made from the power of volcanoes.

Do Scarecrows Actually Work?

Scare crows may deter crows and blackbirds, but you'll have to make some modifications for them to really work.

What Is an Oreo Cookie's "Creme" Filling Made Of?

The "creme" in Oreo cookies isn't really cream at all, but does that make Oreos vegan? The answer is complicated.

How Does Sword Swallowing Really Work?

The ancient art of sword swallowing may seem like some sort of elaborate trick—but it’s very, very real (and very, very dangerous).

The Reason Wine Bottles Have Dents in the Bottom

The dent (or “punt”) in the bottom of a wine bottle served an important function centuries ago, but it’s there for different reasons today.

Watching a scary movie can definitely send shivers down your spine—but why?

Why Do We Get Shivers Down Our Spines?

You’re watching a scary movie or the music swells during your favorite song—the shiver up and down your spine is your body responding to a range of emotions.

When Did Vampires and Werewolves Start Hating Each Other?

Their (often literal) blood feud is a relatively modern creation. So how did vampires and werewolves end up at each other’s throats?

Why Alaska is Home to America’s Easternmost Point

To find the easternmost point in the United States, look west.

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