MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Virtual assistants often have female voices. Why?

Why Do Virtual Assistants Like Siri and Alexa Traditionally Have Female Voices?

Artificial intelligence often skews toward female voices. Is it gender bias, or do companies have hard data to support our seeming preference for feminine AI?

The Surprising—and Sneaky—Reason Why Airports Are Carpeted

When you finally get to your gate, it seems nearly as comfortable as your own living room—which is exactly what airports want.

Consider a storm yet another reason to procrastinate on your dishes.

You Should Never Wash Dishes During a Thunderstorm—Here’s Why

Doing the dishes during a thunderstorm leaves you vulnerable to electrical shock the same way taking a shower does.

Why Are So Many Farmhouses Painted White?

The reasons why whitewashing farmhouses became a popular trend among colonial homeowners, especially those who lived in humid climates, go far beyond aesthetics.

How to Pitch a Story to Mental Floss

So, you’d like to write for Mental Floss? We've assembled a handful of helpful tips to help you craft the best pitch possible.

ALDI has a very clever approach to cutting costs.

The Surprising Reason ALDI Doesn't Play Music

ALDI, the popular discount food chain, defies retail convention by muting speakers. Here's why music isn't part of their inventory.

Buying cold milk is a very American phenomenon.

The Reason Americans Buy Refrigerated Milk and Europeans Don't

In the United States, most milk is sold in the refrigerated section. In other parts of the world, it's sold at room temperature. Why?

Steve Jobs reveals the iPhone 4 at a conference in 2010.

What Does the i in iPhone Stand For?

If you assumed the now-ubiquitous lowercase ‘i’ meant ‘internet,’ you’re not wrong—but that’s only part of it.

F and J aren't the most important letters in the alphabet, but they might be the most important ones on the keyboard.

Why Are There Bumps on the F and J Buttons on a Computer Keyboard?

If you’re trained in Mavis Beacon’s method of touch-typing, you might rely on those bumps more than you realize.

Spearmint and peppermint have slightly different uses, but either one makes a great addition to any herb garden.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What’s the Difference?

They’ll both leave your mouth feeling minty fresh, but one type of mint might do a better job than the other.

Airborne vs. Aerosol vs. Droplet: What's the Difference?

The new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be transmitted through saliva droplets coughed into the air. Here's the terminology you need to know to understand its transmission.

She may decide to use might in her essay.

May vs. Might: When to Use Each Word

'May' and 'might' are two modal verbs that are often used interchangeably, but there are grammar rules governing which one is technically correct.

The Reason Toilet Paper Is Always White

Consumers are used to options, but with toilet paper, it's white or nothing. The reason why is a little messy.

Stained-glass windows showing Saints Victor and Corona in Redeemer Church in Trentino, Italy.

Is St. Corona Really the Patron Saint of Pandemics, Epidemics, or Plagues?

The coincidence that Corona happens to be the patron saint of epidemics or infectious diseases seems a little fishy.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIH, Flickr // Public Domain

15 Frequently Asked Questions About Coronavirus and COVID-19

You may be feeling a lot of anxiety over the new coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. Here are some panic-free pointers to get you through this pandemic.

At McDonald's, you could probably quench the thirst of a family of four for just $1.

The Reason Why McDonald’s Soft Drinks Are All $1—Regardless of Size

The $1 soft drinks and other items on the McDonald’s Dollar Menu are a clever way to get you in the door.

This IKEA mug has a low-key design element that might make your day a little easier.

The Smart Reason IKEA Mugs Come With a Chip on the Bottom

The VARDAGEN series from IKEA features mugs and teacups with tiny chips on the bottom. It's not a shipping mishap. It's intentional.

Hotels often offer a complimentary pastry and fruit breakfast.

What Makes a Hotel Breakfast 'Continental'?

Hotels offer pastries, fruit, and coffee as a guest perk. But what makes it a 'continental' breakfast?

Returning a mail-order mattress is more complicated than it sounds.

Here's What Happens to Returned Mail-Order Mattresses

Mail-order mattress companies make solemn oaths that consumers can return purchases. The problem is that the companies can't accept them. So what happens next?

Why Do We Call the NCAA Basketball Tournament 'March Madness'?

The story of March Madness has everything: Chaucer, sex-crazed hares, Alice in Wonderland, lawsuits, and a basketball coach-turned-poet from Illinois.

Coronavirus precautions have led to questions over methods of isolation.

Isolation vs. Quarantine: What's the Difference?

Viral outbreaks often necessitate patient isolation or quarantine. But what separates each separation?

Why We Eat Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day

Though it's the official dish of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day in America, corned beef and cabbage was actually popularized in New York City.

The Psychological Reason Coronavirus Is Prompting People to Hoard Toilet Paper

Of all the personal essentials needed in the event of a national health concern, why are people stocking up on Charmin?

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to Australia in 2011.

Why Queen Elizabeth II Doesn’t Need a Passport to Travel Abroad

It’s unnecessary for the queen to carry a UK passport, but the perk doesn’t extend to the rest of the royal family.

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