MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

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.

Sadly, ALDI doesn't stand for “Awesome Lunch and Dinner Items” or “Always Loving Discounts, Inc.”

What Does ALDI Stand For, Anyway?

The first ALDI locations bore a different name, but the owners had changed it by the time they had brought their grocery stores to the U.S.

Height isn't the only difference between horses and ponies.

What's the Difference Between Horses and Ponies?

Knowing your equines is no mere horseplay. Here's how to tell the difference between horses, ponies, and even miniature horses.

How to Win Your Next Game of Monopoly

If you want to win your next game of Monopoly, follow these strategic rules and dominate the competition.

Looks like these stickers were handed out at a primary, not a caucus.

What’s the Difference Between a Primary and a Caucus?

Primary elections help us decide which presidential candidates will compete in the general election, but the processes vary by state.

Ice machines can be found in virtually every American hotel.

The Surprising Reason Hotels Have Ice Machines

Ice machines have become as pervasive in hotels as ironing boards. While they've always been there, the ice hasn't always been free.

If scientists can't develop a vaccine for a new virus quickly enough, an epidemic can turn into a pandemic.

Pandemic vs. Epidemic: What’s the Difference?

Definitions of 'pandemic' and 'epidemic' differ, but it’s not always clear which one best describes a disease outbreak like the new coronavirus.

You’re Probably Pronouncing Nevada All Wrong

It's a question that Americans have been arguing about for decades: How exactly do you pronounce Nevada?

Prince George with his mother, Kate Middleton, and sister, Princess Charlotte, during a 2016 trip to Canada.

The Reason Prince George Always Wears Shorts

Prince George’s combinations of knee socks and shorts have made him a royal family fashion icon just like his mother, Kate Middleton.

Why Are Shower Doors in Hotel Rooms Getting Smaller?

In lieu of hanging shower curtains or providing full shower doors, many newer hotels are opting for glass panels that cover only half the length of the shower. Why?

Washing your hands is the best protection against germs.

Why You're Probably Washing Your Hands All Wrong

Washing your hands might be the most repetitive activity any of us will ever do. So why do so many of us get it wrong?

This woman's tooth pain is actually helping her avoid further damage.

The Reason Our Teeth Are So Sensitive to Pain

If your tooth enamel is worn down, the path is clear for your sensitive tooth to feel pain like no other.

A toddler in action with a miniature grocery shopping cart.

The Smart Reason Grocery Stores Offer Pint-Sized Shopping Carts for Kids

Mini shopping carts keep kids busy on shopping trips, but that’s not the only reason grocery stores have them.

Thanks to the escalator stairs' grooves, these feet are not in danger.

The Reason Escalator Stairs Are Grooved

Those thin metal grooves may look dangerous, but they actually help prevent escalator accidents from happening.

How IKEA Comes Up With Its Product Names

IKEA, the beloved Swedish home furnishings chain, has a coherent naming strategy that its non-swedophone customers are missing out on.

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