MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

“God” and “Jesus” are the only Simpson characters that have five fingers.

Why Do So Many Cartoon Characters Have Four Fingers?

It‘s normal for cartoon characters to be missing a digit, but how did the style originate?

Keep a look out for the origins of this weird phrase.

Where Does the Expression ‘Keep Your Eyes Peeled’ Come From?

Popular theories involve pirates—and police.

May want to think twice about drinking straight from the faucet, too.

Why Does My Tap Water Taste So Funny?

Depending on how weird your home’s tap water tastes, it could be due to the pipes or an old water heater, or be a problem with the water itself.

Why You Shouldn't Stop Your Dog From Sniffing on Walks

Dogs need to sniff around to understand their environment.

Two-factor authentication can also be a good security tool to have in your arsenal.

11 Smart Ways to Protect Against Identity Theft

Here’s everything you need to know about spotting the risks of identity theft and safeguarding your most valuable personal information.

Thought microwave heat would be enough to kill all forms of bacteria? Think again.

Your Microwave Is Covered With Bacteria—Here’s What to Do About It

Microwaves can harbor radiation-resistant bacteria, according to a new study published in 'Frontiers in Microbiology.' Fortunately, these microwave cleaning hacks can help.

Do You Really Need to Separate Your Laundry?

Thanks to modern technology, you don’t usually need to separate your laundry—though it can still be beneficial in certain cases.

Why Do We Say “Make a Beeline”?

Making a beeline for the buffet table? You’re buying into some bee stereotypes.

Some kids are already hitting the books while other are still relaxing at home.

How Back-to-School Start Dates Vary Across the U.S.

If you've ever wondered how varied back-to-school start dates are across the country, you've come to the right place.

Why Do We Say “Cold, Hard Cash”?

The meaning behind the money.

What’s the Word for When You Can’t Remember a Word?

There's a fancy term for forgetting a word—'lethologica.'

A wiggly tape measure isn't to blame for any mistaken measurements.

Why Are the Ends of Measuring Tapes So Loose?

There's a good reason the metal hook on a tape measure wiggles, and it has to do with why the first inch is actually 1/16th of an inch short.

Why Did Synchronized Swimming Change Its Name?

Synchronized swimming now goes by the name ‘artistic swimming.’ Here's why.

Why Does One Volleyball Player Wear a Different Color Than Their Teammates?

Volleyball doesn’t have goalkeepers, but it does have liberos—and the rules are a little different for them.

Léon Marchand at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why Does the Olympic Host Country Win So Many Medals?

There are several reasons why a host country might see a boost in the Olympics medal count.

Some Olympic athletes still sport paper bibs.

Why Do Some Olympic Athletes Wear Paper Numbers?

The big paper tags seen on Olympic track and field athletes are both high-tech tracking devices and sentimental souvenirs.

The song may not actually have much to do with a weasel at all.

‘Pop! Goes the Weasel’: The Real Meaning Behind the Nursery Rhyme

You may think you know the words to “Pop! Goes the Weasel.” The tune is everywhere from jack-in-the-box toys to Data and Riker’s first encounter in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’. But it may not even be about a weasel at all.

Tourists will notice something different about their soda cans when visiting Hawaii.

Why Do Hawaiian Soda Cans Have Ridges Around the Top?

Sodas in the Aloha State look a little different from what you’re probably used to.

Why Do We Say Things Are “Cute as a Button”?

The expression—which can be used for all things adorable—dates back to the early 20th century.

Red eyes are a hallmark of many albino creatures.

Why Do Albino Animals Have Red Eyes?

It has nothing to do with red pigment.

Dutch field hockey player Lars Balk during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why Is the Olympic Field Hockey Pitch So Wet?

Here’s why high-level field hockey competitions keep the turf nice and watered.

Why Does Deodorant Have Two Caps?

Deodorant sticks often come with one outer cap and one inner cap, but the purpose of that extra inner cap isn’t really clear.

No one wants to see anything near 100°F on their dashboard.

Why Your Car Dashboard Says It’s a Lot Hotter Than It Really Is

You aren’t imagining things: Your weather app and your dashboard don’t often agree.

Italy's Laura Bruschini at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.

What Do the Hand Signals Mean in Olympic Beach Volleyball?

Beach volleyball's hand signals are a handy way for a blocker to clue their teammate into their next move.

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