MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

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.

Why the Iowa Caucus Comes First

The Iowa caucus doesn’t always predict the presidential nominee, but it’s been an important part of the process since the 1970s.

The Reason Your Local ALDI Grocery Store Doesn’t Have a Phone Number

ALDI would rather have you look up weekly ads, store hours, and FAQs on its website—which benefits customers in the long run.

Tetiana Garkusha/iStock via Getty Images

The Reason Dogs Twitch in Their Sleep

Dogs dream during the REM cycle of sleep just like humans do, and the results can be quite adorable.

Rostislav_Sedlacek/iStock via Getty Images

The Reason Doctors Have Such Sloppy Handwriting

It seems like detail-oriented people would have good handwriting, but doctors don’t always have the time to spend on it.

You Should Never Put Batteries In Your ‘Junk’ Drawer. Here’s Why

Loose batteries—especially 9-volt batteries—can become a fire hazard in the catch-all chaos of a junk drawer.

The Reason Why Button-Down Shirts Have Loops On the Back

Those strange loops on the back of your dress shirts actually serve a purpose, though it might not be the one you think.

The Reason Traffic Lights Are Red, Yellow, and Green

Traffic lights have origins on the railways, but they weren't always red, yellow, and green. There was once a white light, and that was not such a great idea.

The Reason Why Airplane Seats Are Blue

Blue might be a soothing color, but there are a few other reasons so many airlines opt for the shade when selecting their seat fabric.

The Real Reason Bartenders Rinse Already Clean Beer Glasses Before Using Them

Luckily for all of us, especially during flu season, bartenders aren’t counting on glass rinsers for a thorough clean.

The Reason So Many Prices End in .99

It’s a clever trick that retailers use to make consumers think items cost less than they actually do.

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