MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

A stand at the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

Herb vs. Spice: What’s the Difference?

Simon and Garfunkel sang about herbs, not spices—but that’s not the only difference between the two.

What Are Your Rights If You Get Arrested?

You lose certain rights when you're taken into police custody, but there's plenty you can do (or avoid doing) to legally protect yourself.

This woman systematically drinks orange juice while her creative juices are flowing.

Systemic vs. Systematic: How to Use Each Word Correctly

Something systemic—like a disease—means it’s present throughout a system. ‘Systematic’ refers to how a system is operated.

Abandoned shopping carts could be a sign of social dysfunction.

The Reason Some People Never Return Shopping Carts, According to Science

Leaving a cart abandoned in a parking lot is a social nuisance. What drives people to practice poor supermarket etiquette?

The Reason We Get Morning Breath

Waking up to a foul taste is a common dilemma. Fortunately, there are some easy steps to reduce a bad oral presentation in the morning.

The Clever Reason Oranges Are Sold in Red Mesh Bags

Orange citrus is almost always sold in red packaging, and the reason for that has to do with how our brains perceive color.

These 2-ton concrete balls are for shoppers' safety, but they pose a risk of their own.

The Reason Target Has Those Giant Red Concrete Spheres Outside

The giant red spheres, a.k.a. bollards, outside Target's stores do help reinforce the brand's red bullseye logo, but they’re mainly there to keep shoppers safe.

Even without raging benders, dogs might still get headaches.

Do Dogs Get Headaches?

Dogs and humans share some of the same central neural pathways. Does that mean they need blackout curtains for crippling headaches, too?

3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

Why Did Noon Used to Mean 3 p.m.?

We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.

What’s the Difference Between a Tiara and a Crown?

There’s a reason that Meghan Markle’s first time sporting a tiara (borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II) was on her wedding day.

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.

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