MF Explains It All

Drop this fact at your New Year’s Eve party.

The meaning of ‘ring in the New Year’ is now mostly metaphorical, but it used to involve literal ringing.

The ‘hidden headlamps’ were having a moment. Then pesky pedestrian safety cramped their style.

Next time someone confuses the two drinks, you‘ll know how to correct them.

Don’t let wine aficionados hear you confuse these two sparkling beverages.

What is a flapjack? If you’re in England, it’s not a fluffy round cake made from batter and fried in a pan.

Can wrapping paper be recycled? As you may have guessed, correctly disposing of wrapping paper can be a bit complicated.

If you’ve ever been jinxed into owing someone a soda, you should know why.

How do these two famous vampires compare?

Ahead of Robert Eggers’s adaptation of ‘Nosferatu,’ here’s a breakdown of the differences and similarities between the two iconic bloodsuckers.

Pink slips have had a lot of different meanings over the years.

Getting laid off has long been associated with getting a fancy pink invitation to the unemployment line. Why?

Building snowmen is not a new winter activity.

From children decorating them with hats and carrot noses to giant sculptures of fan-favorite characters, where there is snow, there will be snowmen. Here’s a brief history of why we build them.

Let’s investigate the high-stakes world of Social Security trivia.

In 1936, someone got bragging rights to having the lowest possible Social Security Number—but only after several others turned it down.

A dreidel and pile of chocolate gelt are a common sight during Hanukkah celebrations.

It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.

Illustration of people enjoying wassail, circa 1800.

Here‘s everything you need to know about this beloved Christmas tradition, from how it evolved to a fun guide for doing it yourself.

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

Jack Frost pops up in a number of wintery tales.

Most iterations of Jack Frost see him clad in icy blue and white, and as well as being responsible for nose-nipping, he’s also credited with creating frost. But where exactly did this mythical cold-weather figure originate?