MF Explains It All

Poison ivy isn’t the only thing that can give you a nasty rash.

There's a reason gas stations never just round up.

The unusual fractional price you see at gas stations has roots in the Great Depression, but marketing is to blame, too.

The Sistine Chapel's no-photo policy has an unexpected origin.

Visitors to the chapel will find their experience peppered with terse shouts of “No photo! No video!” from security guards.

Whether you enjoy the velvety skin on peaches or peel it off, you may wonder why they developed fuzz in the first place.

The in-person shopping experience is part of the Trader Joe's brand.

As with regular toasts, it’s not clear exactly when, where, or why this custom began. But these days, most drinkers will cite one of two common reasons behind it.

Where does this literary device come from, and why is it named after a fish?

The figurative phrase is more than 200 years old, but the obscure etymology of a 'red herring' is a fishy story that is itself a red herring.

Unpacking the reason hyperlinks are blue requires dipping into early internet history.

Ever wonder what your dog finds so tasty about grass?

A dog that eats grass frantically may be trying to vomit—but the behavior doesn't automatically warrant a trip to the vet.

A grocery store’s layout strategy is very calculated—and rearranging inventory is meant to confuse you.

And how does a range fit into all this?

The baton has been a law enforcement tool for close to two centuries. But did anyone named Billy actually have anything to do with it?

If your dog follows everywhere you go, don’t be too worried about it. The behavior indicates they see you in a positive light.

Stick to listening to your pre-downloaded podcasts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bars the use of all transmitting devices in the off chance that transmissions could interfere with a plane’s navigation and communications equipment and cause system malfunctions.

The tendency for dogs to steal, chew, and snuggle your shoe while dozing off is common across breeds, ages, and temperaments.

This dachshund wants you to know you're probably mispronouncing the name of his breed.

Dachshund is actually made up of two smaller German words (dachs, which means “badger,” and hund, which means “dog”) and it's not pronounced “dash-hound.”