MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

White makes a surprising amount of sense for a painter.

Why Do Professional Painters Wear White?

Here’s why the seemingly worst color to use for a messy job is actually the best.

Passengers aren’t always referred to as passengers.

Why Do We Refer to Airplane and Ship Passengers as ‘Souls’?

Hearing the phrase ‘souls on board’ usually portends bad news. Why do we use it?

Why Did Ronald McDonald Disappear?

The McDonald’s mascot has been keeping a low profile for years. Some people think they know why.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a wash routine that‘s best for you.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Find out how factors like age, hair type, and lifestyle influence your ideal shampoo routine.

Damaged mirrors can certainly make one distraught.

Why Do Mirrors Have Black Spots?

Those unsightly black marks even have a name: mirror rot.

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

Fable vs. Folktale vs. Myth: What’s the Difference?

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

They like screens under certain circumstances.

Do Dogs Enjoy Movies?

Videos of dogs watching the animated film “Flow” have gone viral recently, and science backs up the adorable phenomenon.

Why Do Basketball Players Wear Arm Sleeves?

The sleeves might be performance enhancers. Or not.

What Do the Lines on Starbucks Cups Mean?

They’re mostly for the barista, not the customer.

How Do Cars Get Their Names?

Naming a car is like naming a baby, only with a few hundred million dollars at stake.

Why Did Toys Disappear From Cereal Boxes?

The days of police badges and lightsaber spoons lurking in boxes are over. Kids now get QR codes. What happened?

Room temperature is a frame of reference.

What Exactly Is ‘Room Temperature’?

Misunderstanding room temperature can have some surprisingly serious consequences.

Why Do Cars Catch Fire?

A car accident in a movie usually ends in a huge fireball. But what really causes vehicle fires?

Where Did the Expression ‘Gung Ho’ Come From?

We get this byword for enthusiasm from an officer in the Marines named Evans Fordyce Carlson.

You Probably Have a Favorite Burner—and You’re Probably Using It Wrong

Each burner technically has a name and a specific purpose, which means there's a chance you've been using your stovetop incorrectly this whole time.

Palm coolers are a relatively new sports science innovation.

What Are Those Devices Basketball Players Are Holding on the Sidelines?

Athletes are embracing a new kind of performance enhancer.

Sleeping naked might improve your sleep quality.

Should You Sleep in the Nude? Here’s What the Experts Say

Sleeping in your birthday suit may feel good, but is it good for you?

Why Are Brown LEGO Bricks So Brittle?

LEGO bricks are notorious for being indestructible, but one color is an exception.

What Happens When an Astronaut Gets Sick in Space?

Sick astronauts on a space mission can’t just pop down to Earth to see a doctor. Here’s how they deal with bumps, bruises, and worse.

Next time, there won't be any need to panic.

What Do These 18 Common Car Dashboard Symbols Actually Mean?

When something goes wrong with your car, a curious-looking icon illuminates on the dashboard. But what those symbols mean isn’t always obvious.

How Did Latin America Get Its Name?

Latin isn’t widely spoken in Latin America, so why is it called that?

Road signs shout less than they used to.

Why Many Road Signs Are No Longer Written in All Caps

Road signs have changed case in the last 15 years or so—here's why.

Why Are Potatoes Called “Spuds”?

We dig down to the root of the issue.

The ultimate cheat code to winter coziness.

13 Toasty Tips for Staying Warm in Cold Weather

You’d be surprised by the ways you can keep yourself warm—and these budget-friendly winter hacks can help, too.

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