MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Why Does ‘Spick-and-Span’ Mean ‘Really Clean’?

‘Spick’ doesn’t mean ‘clean.’ And ‘span’ doesn’t mean ‘clean.’ So what’s going on here?

It's easy to make a case for The Nile as the longest river in the world, but measuring a river isn't that easy.

What Is the Longest River in the World?

It’s an issue so complicated that river length isn't even considered a useful measure anymore.

It's Chick-fil-A's pleasure to serve you.

Why Do Chick-fil-A Employees Say “My Pleasure” Instead of “You’re Welcome”?

If you say “my pleasure” before your Chick-fil-A cashier has a chance to utter it, you won’t score free food.

Should You Really Chill Cookie Dough Before Baking It? Yes—Here’s Why

The secret to making the best chocolate chip cookies ever isn’t in the ingredients.

You’re Not Imagining Things—Ranch Dressing Really Does Taste Better in Restaurants

When restaurants serve Hidden Valley Ranch, it often tastes better than the bottled stuff. Here's why.

What the Code on Your Egg Carton Really Means

Knowing the meaning of the three-digit code printed on every egg carton can help you choose a fresher product.

Don't bet on finding one of these on St. Patrick's Day

Here Are Your Chances of Finding a Four-Leaf Clover This St. Patrick's Day

Your chances of finding a four-leaf clover are one in thousands, but there are some steps you can take to increase your luck.

What Is SPAM Made Of?

The recipe for SPAM isn't as complicated as its reputation would have you think.

Daylight saving time has been erasing 2 a.m. on and off since 1918.

The Reason Daylight Saving Time Begins at 2 a.m.

Whether we're springing forward or falling back, we do it at exactly 2 a.m.—but why?

What Happens to Undeliverable Mail With No Return Address?

If you forgot to put a return address on a piece of mail that never made it to its destination, you can still get it back.

Why Are So Many Pop Songs Roughly Three Minutes Long?

The roughly three-minute limit dates back to the early 20th century—but the digital music landscape is affecting the custom.

The situation has clearly gone from bad to worse.

How to Use Worse vs. Worst Correctly in 6 Common Phrases

What's the 'worse' or 'worst' that could happen if you use the wrong form of this commonly used word? Here's what to know.

What’s That White Stuff on Your Salmon (And Is It Safe to Eat)?

That’s the salmon’s albumin—here’s everything you need to know about what it is and how to avoid it when cooking salmon.

Having to yell "Fore!" probably bodes ill for your score.

Why Do Golfers Yell 'Fore!' When Teeing Off?

It all started with forecaddies … or the military. Either way, ‘fore’ is the most succinct way to say “You might be about to get hit by an errant golf ball.”

What Are Bacon Bits Made Of?

Some so-called bacon bits are 100-percent vegan. Here's what really goes into the shelf-stable convenience food item.

Why Do Trucks Use Diesel Fuel Instead of Gasoline?

Fasten your seatbelts—this gas-vs.-diesel answer involves compression ratios, spark plugs, and torque vs. horsepower.

The Reason So Many Charities Ask for $19 Per Month

The number may seem random, but there's a clever reason why so many charity commercials list $19 a month as the default donation amount.

The Reason Grocery Store Bakeries Sell Fresh Bread in Brown Paper Bags

Paper bags let in more air than plastic, but supermarkets still use the material to sell fresh bread for a good reason.

What Does Goodbye Actually Mean?

You’re not really wishing someone a good ‘bye.’ ‘Bye’ is just an abbreviation—and ‘good’ is sort of a mistake.

Team USA's Nathan Chen during his gold medal-winning free skate at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Do Olympic Figure Skaters Have to License the Music They Skate To?

Nathan Chen won gold against a backdrop of Elton John songs. But who shelled out for the music license?

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/iStock via Getty Images

What Do the Numbers on Gas Pump Buttons Mean?

Whether you automatically press the 87 button at the gas pump or opt for a higher grade, this is what your fuel's octane rating measures.

Sweden's Oskar Eriksson delivers the stone during a mixed doubles match against Norway at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

What Are Those Red and Green Lights on Curling Stones?

Olympic curling stones are pretty self-policing—here's what those green and red lights can tell you.

U.S. freeskier Alexander Hall in the big air final at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Why Do Some Olympic Freeskiers Compete Without Ski Poles?

Freeskiers have been making their own rules since the inception of their sport. Here’s the skinny on why some choose to forgo the poles.

Netherlands' Suzanne Schulting and China's Qu Chunyu during a 500-meter short-track quarter-final at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Why Do Speed Skaters Wear Glasses?

Skiers and snowboarders have to contend with sun and snow—speed skaters don’t. So what are their glasses for?

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