MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

What Does a Screensaver Actually Do?

Screensavers really used to save computer screens from getting damaged. Now, they serve other purposes.

The Unappetizing Origins of 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'

It started centuries ago, when puddings contained spices, cereal, and potentially putrid minced meat.

Blizzards and snowstorms have some things in common.

What's the Difference Between a Snowstorm and a Blizzard?

Both snowstorms and blizzards involve snow (obviously) and hazardous conditions, but one has a few requirements to make sure it blows extra hard.

The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Why Isn't Washington, D.C., a State?

Residents of Washington, D.C., have no governor, no voting representation in Congress, and only limited local authority. The reason is simple: D.C. isn't a state.

Coins are in short supply at the moment.

Spare Change? Here’s Why Coins Are So Scarce Right Now

Merchants aren't too eager to give customers exact change at the moment. Here's why coins are in such short supply.

Here are clear directions for a clear windshield.

How to Defog Your Windshield Quickly, According to a Former NASA Engineer

Foggy glass can make your drive dangerous—here’s how to get rid of it quickly (and how to avoid it in the first place).

Why Do Cats Throw Up So Often?

Even if you're used to seeing your cat throw up, don't ignore it: It could be a sign of something serious.

What Is a Scuttlebutt, and Why Do We Like to Hear It?

When you ask someone for the scuttlebutt, you're using a very old nautical term to solicit potentially specious gossip.

Why Doesn’t the U.S. Use the Metric System?

The U.S. measurement system of choice has been the imperial system since the 1800s, and switching now would be pretty expensive.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS, AFP/GETTY IMAGES; JOHN STILLWELL, WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES; CHRIS JACKSON, GETTY IMAGES; JOHN STILLWELL, AFP/GETTY IMAGES; CHRIS JACKSON-POOL, GETTY IMAGES; ARTHUR EDWARDS, AFP/GETTY IMAGES; DAVID ROSE, WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES; GARETH CATTERMOLE, GETTY IMAGES

The Thoughtful Reason Behind Queen Elizabeth II's Bright Wardrobe

Bright colors have become part of Queen Elizabeth II's signature style, but they're more than an aesthetic preference.

Pete Souza/The White House, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?

It’s a question that has been debated since the writing of the Constitution: Can Presidents pardon themselves?

Why Do Babies Start Crying As Soon As You Sit Down?

Wondering how to stop a baby from crying? Unfortunately, the answer doesn’t involve sinking into your comfiest armchair.

How to Crack an Egg, According to Science

If you find your countertop splattered with an egg crime scene, you might benefit from these useful tips.

What's Inside a Can of Red Bull?

The caffeine in Red Bull can compete with your morning coffee, and Red Bull’s taurine has nothing to do with an actual bull.

Freshly laundered and ready to wear four days in a row.

Here’s How Often You Should Wash Your Sweaters

Unfortunately, the answer is not “Never.” (That said, you can usually get more than one wear out of them before laundering.)

The shiny side is on top here, but that doesn't necessarily make it better.

Why Only One Side of Tinfoil Is Shiny

Understanding the manufacturing process will also help you decide whether that shiny side should face up or down.

Breaking bad habits requires a little more than just willpower.

The Best Way to Break a Bad Habit, According to the Experts

Stopping something as inconsequential as biting your nails or as serious as drinking too much requires perseverance and planning.

Astronaut Kate Rubins casts her ballot from space.

How Do Astronauts Vote From Space?

Kate Rubins cast her ballot from the International Space Station with the help of a county clerk and a nifty technology known as the PDF.

Judge Thomas Patrick Thornton (left) is sworn in as a federal judge by Judge Arthur F. Lederle (right) on February 15, 1949.

The Reason Supreme Court Justices Wear Black Robes

The tradition of judges wearing black robes goes back centuries, but the meaning behind it is as timely as ever.

The Reason Stone Crabs Are So Expensive

The reason stone crabs are so expensive is also what makes them one of the most sustainable seafoods on Earth.

Wildfires have reached historic proportions this year.

What Exactly Is a Gigafire?

The August Complex fire ravaging California is being called a "gigafire," and it's every bit as imposing and destructive as the name implies.

Canceling your gym membership can be a hassle.

How to Cancel Your Gym Membership Without Breaking a Sweat

Gym contracts can be difficult to walk away from. If you're looking to switch facilities or just don't feel comfortable going in light of the pandemic, these tips may help.

There's a good chance his parents have dimples, too.

Why Do Some People Have Dimples?

Genetics probably play a part in dimple formation, and so does a muscle called the “zygomaticus major.”

We have a difficult time catching our own typing mistakes.

The Reason It's So Hard to Spot Your Own Typos

Errors in writing aren't easy to detect when you're proofreading your own work. The problem is your brain.

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