MF Explains It All

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

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 is also what makes them one of the most sustainable seafoods on Earth.

Wildfires have reached historic proportions this year.

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.

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.

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.

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

MDs and DOs are both reputable health care providers. The difference is one of philosophy.

Some people are confused by the DO designation for health care providers, but it's not really so unusual.

Who wouldn't be screaming in this situation?

Our ancestors may have predisposed us to fear spiders, insects, and other many-legged creatures, but there's a lot more to it.

Talking about being fired can make people apprehensive.

Talking about being fired can be uncomfortable, but there's a simple way to discuss it without being defensive.

Hands are built-in tools for detecting bad breath.

In order to cure halitosis, you have to realize you have bad breath in the first place. Here’s why that’s hard to do.

States are changing their vote-by-mail rules for this year’s general election. Here's what you need to know.

The small, colored rectangles above the seams of toothpaste tubes have nothing to do with its ingredients.

Dogs appear to be running in their sleep. Why?

Dogs tend to get a little exercise in even when they're resting. Is it really because they're dreaming about running?

When your bread dough doubles in size overnight, you have a hard-working team of microorganisms to thank.

It's not exactly the "safety in numbers" situation you might be imagining.

The facts on where it comes from, how it works, and whether it could happen with the novel coronavirus.

Alfred Nobel on the front of the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

Only certain people can submit nominations, and the Nobel Committee isn’t allowed to reveal nominees or nominators until 50 years later.

Our brains may be wired to recognize that shapes can indicate danger.

Traffic signs come in a variety of shapes. The Department of Transportation thinks your brain will recognize that some of them mean more danger than others.

Airplane fuel sometimes needs to be jettisoned.

Planes sometimes need to dump fuel to keep their weight down for a safe emergency landing. Here's why it doesn't hit anything.

Dogs use physical contact for a lot of the same reasons humans do.

Dogs like to rest a paw on their owners for a number of reasons, but establishing dominance isn't one of them.

Ironically, a skillet is better for sautéing than a sauté pan is. (But sauté pans have their own skill set.)

"What did I tell you about the elbows, Susie?"

Even Emily Post, the queen of table manners, sometimes graced the tabletop with her elbows. What gives?

Your sheets need to be washed on a regular basis.

Bedsheets may look clean, but they harbor a variety of nasty things—from dust mites to, yes, even poop.

These seemingly random digits can tell you a lot.

Barcode scanners don’t need to register the number below the barcode, but it can tell you a lot about a product.

Fabric softener acts as a lubricant for your laundry.

Fabric softener is supposed to reduce friction and wrinkles and prolong the life of your clothing. But there are some downsides to using it.

The Reason Supreme Court Justices Wear Black Robes

The Reason Stone Crabs Are So Expensive

What Exactly Is a Gigafire?

How to Cancel Your Gym Membership Without Breaking a Sweat

Why Do Some People Have Dimples?

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

MD vs. DO: What Is the Difference?

Why Are Humans Afraid of Bugs?

Got a Job Interview and Need to Explain Why You Were Fired? Here's How

Why Can’t You Smell Your Own Breath? There Are a Few Theories

Absentee Ballot vs. Mail-In Ballot: What’s the Difference?

What the Color Codes on Toothpaste Tubes Really Mean

The Reason Dogs Run In Their Sleep

What Makes Bread Dough Rise?

What Is Herd Immunity?

How Does the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Process Work?

The Reason Why Road Signs Have Different Shapes

The Reason Why Fuel Dumped From an Airplane Doesn't Reach the Ground

The Reason Dogs Put Their Paws on You

Skillet vs. Sauté Pan: What’s the Difference?

Why Is It Considered Rude to Eat With Your Elbows on the Table?

Here's How Often You Should Be Washing Your Sheets

What Do the Numbers on Barcodes Mean?

What Does Fabric Softener Actually Do?