MF Explains It All

What is an Irish goodbye—and why is it called that?

Is Halloween strictly for kids, or is an age cap warranted?

Some communities have ordinances banning teens from knocking on doors. But are they justified?

Cats and “Pspsps” go together like toddlers and the crinkling wrapper of a candy bar that you were trying to eat in secret. What gives?

Union coal miners on strike, August 1, 1993.

By the late 1700s, laborers adopted the insult to refer to workers who wouldn’t join a strike, a union, or take part in organized labor and undermined their fellow workers.

The shape of an animal’s pupils is a clue to its place in the food chain.

We’re currently living in the year 1725, not 2023. At least, that’s what adherents of the Phantom Time Hypothesis would have you believe. The historical conspiracy theory alleges that the years spanning from 614 to 911 CE never actually happened.

These ramps serve a very important purpose.

When a truck’s brakes fail, a runaway ramp is sometimes the one thing preventing disaster.

The words ‘fall’ and ‘autumn’ appeared around the same time in Great Britain, but only one of the seasonal names is still used there today.

To block microwave radiation, all you need is a simple screen.

Russian dressing and Thousand Island dressing are two creamy sauces that are often confused for one another. So what’s the story?

Just how many miles can you drive once your car alerts you that you're running out of gas? The answer might surprise you.

It’s often said that Barbie is 19 years old, but the answer is a little more nuanced than that.

X marks the spot for lots of saturated fat.

The trees make an 'X' at almost every In-N-Out location. And yes, it's by design.

“Who, me?” This goat, hearing about the word ‘scapegoat.’

History is filled with figures who were single-handedly—yet often undeservedly—held responsible for epic societal failures. But what do goats have to do with it?

Product safety date, or encrypted military code? You be the judge.

When it comes to food safety, none of these phrases means what you think it means.

Bison grazing in Grand Teton National Park.

In the U.S., the terms ‘bison’ and ‘buffalo’ are used interchangeably—but they’re actually two different animals. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Despite what people often claim, the Gros Michel isn't to blame.

Corned beef? Or pastrami? Let's hash it out.

The two brined meats are both delicious, but they're prepared in very different ways.

It's known as "middle-aged groan," and it afflicts millions who dare try to get off the couch.

First, you have to understand the difference between England and Britain (and the UK, while we’re at it).

It’s common sense: If you make a big deal over something, it’s going to attract attention. And if you’re an international superstar, like, say, Barbra Streisand, the tantrum is going to draw even more attention.