Mardi Gras Celebrations and Traditions Started Thousands of Years Ago
Mardi Gras features wild costumes, parades, and excessive celebration, but the history of it is actually grounded in religion. Get ready!
FYI
Don’t understand a TikTok trend? Or need help completing a social media challenge? Distractify’s FYI section has you covered.
Cuban Cigars Have Been Illegal in the U.S. Since 1962 — We Explore Why
Cuban cigars have been illegal in the U.S. for as long as many of us can remember. However, there are ways around the ban for most people.
Why the $5 Handwritten Letter Business Opportunity Is Actually a Scam, According to YouTuber
Want to make hundreds upon thousands of dollars in side hustle cash? Well, apparently this paid per letter business opportunity is not the way to do it.
Instagram Is Rolling out Hidden Valentine's Day Features That You May Fall in Love With
Instagram's hidden Valentine's Day features will only be available for 48 hours starting from Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. EST to Feb. 15.
What Does the Upside-Down Cross Mean and Why Did Ice Spice Wear One to the Super Bowl?
"Nothing to see here, just Taylor Swift's guest Ice Spice throwing up demonic signs while wearing an upside-down cross."
Facebook Chirps Now When You Scroll. I'd Like It to Stop. Please, God, Make It Stop
Facebook users are less than thrilled by the new chirping sound feature, which was actually designed to make them more engaged.
Take Inspo From These Valentine's Basket Ideas If You Don't Know What to Get Your Guy
The hot air balloon basket definitely takes the crown.
What Gatorade Color Are You Rooting for at Super Bowl LVIII? Odds Explained
What’s the likely Gatorade color for the Chiefs and 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII? Take a look at past Gatorade colors, including the color from the 2020 Super Bowl.
"The Frequency of False Confessions Is Staggering" and Can Happen to Anyone (EXCLUSIVE)
Unfortunately, anyone can fall prey to tactics used upon them by law enforcement to elicit a false confessions. Once that happens, prison is inevitable.
Here's Why Companies Can't Use the Name "Super Bowl" in Their Advertising
Companies can’t actually use the name “Super Bowl” in their advertising leading up to and during the big day. But why can’t they say it?
Woman on TikTok Used a Nail File to Grind Down Her “American Girl Doll Teeth”
A woman went viral on TikTok after delineating how she no longer had "American Girl Doll Teeth" because she'd used a nail file on them.
"Twin, Where Have You Been?" You Should Know About the "Made for Me" Challenge on TikTok
The trend that has everyone asking "Twin, where have you been?" earned R&B singer Muni Long another chart-topping hit. Here's what it means.
People Are Going "Band for Band" on TikTok, but It Doesn't Mean What You Think
TikTok users are going band for band on the platform, but many who see the trend are confused by what exactly everyone is talking about.
TikTok Is OD With Its Slang, but What Does "OD" Actually Mean?
Slang has taken on whole new meanings thanks to the TikTok generation, and now plenty of people are using "OD" in a new way. What does it mean?
Elon Musk May Be to Blame for the "Rate Limited Exceeded" Messages
Twitter users have been receiving a "rate limit exceeded" notification more often, but what does it mean? Billionaire owner Elon Musk is to blame.
"Gooning" Has People Scratching Their Heads, but What Does the NSFW TikTok Term Mean?
"Gooning" is the latest term to take over TikTok, and this time, it means something you definitely don't want your kids to know about.
"Loud Budgeting" Could Be the Key to Saving Money in 2024
Instead of being ashamed of your financial goals, "loud budgeting" is exactly what it sounds like — loudly proclaiming why you're not spending money.
Wizz Has Been Removed From Several App Stores, Users Blame 2023 Scandals
What happened to the Wizz app? The alleged teen-friendly dating app has been scrubbed from app stores following controversies in 2023.
It's Black History Month! Get Your Trivia up to Date on the Right Side of History
February is Black History Month, meaning trivia games will have many questions about Black History and important figures. Here are the essential facts.
23andMe Seems to Be on the Verge of Disappearing Following a 2023 Data Breach
23andMe stock has cratered following a data breach and mounting lawsuits, leading many to wonder what happened to the once prominent startup.
STTM Is a New Acronym That Has Emerged on TikTok, and It Isn't Very Nice
TikTok's latest acronym is a succinct way to tell someone to get off of your back. What does STTM actually mean and where did it come from?
When People Say They're "Gardening" on TikTok, Here's What They Really Mean
'Gardening' is the latest slang term to pop up on TikTok. If you're confused by what it means, we've got all of the details on the term.
Flight Attendants Actually Sit on Their Hands As a Safety Precaution
Flight attendants sit on their hands as part of the brace position. This prepares them for an unexpected emergency and minimizes the risk of injuries.
Zulily Quietly Closes Down as Hundreds of Employees Are Laid Off Across the Country
Zulily is shutting down. The company's website states that it is conducting "an orderly wind-down" overseen by Douglas Wilson Companies. More here.
People on TikTok Have Developed Their Own Accent, Apparently
TikTok users have apparently developed a specific accent through their use of the platform, and now the accent itself is trending online.
What Does "Season of the Sticks" Mean? About the Vermont Season That Inspired Noah Kahan's Song
Popularized by a Noah Kahan song, the term "season of the sticks" refers to a time of year in one part of the country, but which has inspired all.
Ladybugs Landing on You Has Historically Been Taken as a Sign of Good Luck
Ladybugs are usually a sign of good luck, which is why Brandon Aiyuk mentioned one before his incredible catch during the 2024 NFC Championship.
The Party Dot Tattoo Has Various Meanings — Know What You're Getting Into
Getting a party dot tattoo may seem like a good idea, but many people go into it blindly. The real meaning behind the tattoo is debatable.
TikTok Users Have Been Asking Followers To "TMU" — Here's What That Means
What does "TMU" mean on TikTok? The shorthand slang has been popularized by a new song, but the term itself has existed for years.
What Are Legging Legs on TikTok? It's Another Toxic Trend to Scroll Right Past
Legging legs is a new trend on TikTok. The harmful notion may be going viral, but many are pushing back against a dumb beauty ideal.
Why Do U.S. Coins Have Ridges? Currency Mystery Explained
American currency has changed over time, but the tiny addition of ridges still remains on our coins. The tradition started to prevent fraudsters.
Italian Women on TikTok Have Deemed the “Mob Wife Aesthetic” Cultural Appropriation
Black women and WOC on TikTok have weighed in on the debate following years of them arguing the same thing within their cultures.
The Doomsday Clock Is at 90 Seconds to Midnight, but What Does That Even Mean?
The Doomsday Clock is at 90 seconds to midnight for the second year in a row, leading many to wonder what that actually means, and why we track it.
"Airtight" Has Become a Popular Slang Term on TikTok, but What Does It Mean?
Airtight is the latest word to begin circulating on TikTok, and it has led to some confusion over what the word means when it's being used there.
Some Facebook Users Can't Access Marketplace and They Don't Know Why
Many Facebook users are having trouble accessing Facebook Marketplace, but they have no idea why it has disappeared. What happened to Marketplace?
The Yellow Eye Icon on TikTok Carries a Specific Meaning — but Some Folks Aren't Happy About It
The yellow eye is a fairly new symbol to Twitter, and some people are wondering what the symbol means and why it's attached to some accounts.
The Door Knock Challenge on Social Media Is Dangerous, Police Warn the Public
Police have issued warnings about the latest trend taking over social media, the Door Knock challenge, saying that no one should participate in the trend.
A Search for "Chicken Soup" on Facebook Yields a Pretty Disturbing Result
Facebook is flagging the search term "chicken soup" because it is sometimes used as a code word for explicit and inappropriate material. Details.
What Does "WSG" Mean on Snapchat? Latest Texting Slang
The best texters need to keep up with all of the lingo. The latest word taking over Snapchat is "WSG," but what does it mean? It's meaning is simple.
Bookshelf Wealth Involves a Lot More Than What's on Your Bookshelf
Bookshelf wealth is yet another design niche curated on TikTok, but what exactly makes a home follow the bookshelf wealth trend? Let's break it down.
Here's Why You're Seeing "Rio de Janeiro" All Over TikTok Lately
People are using the Rio de Janeiro filter all over TikTok, but it's actually an Instagram filter. Why is it so popular among TikTok users?
The “Orange Peel Theory” Can Make or Break a Relationship — Here’s What It Means
The Orange Peel Theory TikTok trend is about way more than ensuring your partner's nails aren't ruined by the citrus fruit.
Why Do Bridges Ice Before Roads? See the Science Behind the Slipperiness
You’ve seen the "Bridge Ices Before Road" signs; now learn about why bridges and roads cool at different rates during frigid weather.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Was Almost Named Michael but His Father Changed Their Names
Martin Luther King, Jr. almost had a totally different name, so why did his father Martin Luther King, Sr. decide to change both their names?
Luck or Responsibility? Delving Into the Meaning of Finding the Baby in a King Cake
If you find the baby in your slice of king cake, you become the "king" or "queen" of the evening and are responsible for hosting the next year's party and providing the cake.
The Year of the Girl: The Pink Bow Trend on TikTok and What It Means
Pink bows are popping up on TikTok everywhere, and it's usually set to Lana Del Ray, but what does it all mean? Let's break it down.
The Man Who Invented the Whopper Jr. Did It by Accident
The Whopper Jr. was created accidently by Luis Arenas-Perez, whose quick thinking for a grand opening birthed the popular menu item.
Why Aren't Snaps Sending? Users Want to Know What's Wrong With the App
People are wondering why their Snaps aren’t sending on Snapchat after an outage, but some users are still having a problem with Snapchat.
OK, So You Were Summoned to Jury Duty — but What Happens if You're Late?
You check your mailbox, and bam — a notice for jury duty. You may be wondering, how serious is this? And what happens if I'm late?
TikTok Has Declared the Mob Wife Aesthetic Is in for 2024
TikTokers are calling for the mob wife aesthetic to step into the spotlight this year, and it's time to pull your favorite big coat and sunnies out.
