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.
FYI
Don’t understand a TikTok trend? Or need help completing a social media challenge? Distractify’s FYI section has you covered.
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.
This Person Discovered That the iPhone Camera Can Tell Her What Laundry Symbols Mean
This TikToker discovered that the iPhone can interpret the laundry-related symbols on your clothing tags, no app download required.
Sephora Kids Are Ruining the Beauty Store
Sephoras have been filled with preteen shoppers snatching up the most expensive (and best) skincare brands, and TikTokers have been sharing their horror stories.
A Spade Tattoo Can Have Wholesome or NSFW Meanings Depending on Who You Ask
What does a spade tattoo mean? Getting one can be a wholesome and harmless thing, but certain versions of it can have some NSFW connotations.
Stanley Cups Have Become a Viral Sensation and Aren't Slowing Down
The Stanley cup is one of the most viral trends of 2023 and it’s not slowing down. Everyone who doesn’t have a Stanley Quencher wants one.
The Crazy Horse Monument Construction Has Faced Challenges Over the Years
The Crazy Horse monument has been under construction and demolition for a couple of generations. The project isn't expected to be completed soon.
“Do It for the Plot” Is a TikTok Term Popularized by User Serena Kerrigan — What It Means
If you've scrolled through TikTok, you've probably seen the term "Do it for the Plot" being tossed around — here's what to know about its meaning.
Help! I Keep Archiving My Emails ... and I Have No Idea What "Archive" Means
Gmail, Google’s email service, has an “archive” feature that is somewhat confusing to its users. What does “archive” mean and how do we use it?
The Melting Smiley Face Has So Many Meanings, Its Been Called "The Mona Lisa of Emojis"
Emojis are an effective way to communicate when words can’t do enough, but what does the melting smiley face mean? It’s been highly disputed.
'MDNI' Is TikTok's Newest Acronym and Some of Its Users Absolutely Hate It
Many TikTok accounts now say MDNI in their bios or hashtag videos with MDNI, but what does the mysterious acronym mean? Hint—it has to do with minors.
Getting the Wrong Blood Type During a Transfusion Can Be a Deadly Mistake
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you ended up getting the wrong type of blood during a transfusion? It's not pretty. Details ahead.
Some TikTok Usernames Are Just a Blank Space — Here's How to Do It
You, too, can get an invisible username on TikTok — or, more accurately, an invisible TikTok nickname — simply by using invisible characters.
Mystery of the Day — Why Do Doors in Antarctica Have Holes at the Bottom?
Doors in Antarctica include a very practical feature: door holes. No, they aren't for mice. Read on to learn the real reason for the peculiar holes.
Help! Why Do I Keep Getting Facebook Recovery Code Emails?
If you are getting Facebook recovery code emails, the most important thing to know is that this is a scam. Read on for what to do if you are a target.
Snapchat Introduces After Dark Feature in an Effort to Connect Users
Snapchat's After Dark feature is being rolled out and leans into the latest social media trends. Users can now be more in the moment.
AI Invents a Fifth Beatle — and No One Can Figure Out Which Beatle Isn't Real
When someone prompts AI to draw the Beatles drinking the platonic ideal cup of tea, AI invents a fifth Beatle, which creates confusion.
Curious About Macy's Perfume Refill Policy? Here's What You Need to Know
Despite what you might have heard through the grapevine, Macy's isn't your go-to spot for refilling a perfume bottle. Read on for more details.
TikTok Is Requiring Users to Give Their Passcode, but No One Knows Why
TikTok is requiring passcodes from users when they open the app, but it isn't totally clear why the app is prompting users this way.
Lululemon’s Prices Aren’t for Everybody — Why Is the Brand so Expensive?
Lululemon is one of the top athleisure brands in the world and one of the most expensive. Here’s why you’re paying so much to wear its products.
What Does Swatting Someone Mean? The Practice Can Have Deadly Consequences
What does swatting someone mean? Read on for details about why the practice happens among gamers, and the potentially deadly aftermath.
Apple Watch Sales Have Been Banned in the US While the Company Battles Infringement Claims
Why is the new Apple Watch banned? Certain models cannot be sold in the United States as the company grapples with infringement controversies.
Abrosexuality Refers to the Way a Person's Sexuality Can Change Over Time
The abundance of terms to describe a person's sexuality can be confusing. What does it mean for a person to be abrosexual? Here's what we know.