I'm suprised the Home Depot people didn't know what it was. That would make me think twice about buying there 
I was suprised at how clean the board cuts too. I didn't think it would work out as well as it did.
Oh, so i wasn't the only one that got a goofy look when i asked HOME DEPOT and LOWES to show me where the MDF was. lol. Sometimes those people. sheesh. And then i had to find out on my own that there is different grades of all these types of MDF and plywood. OYE.
If in doubt call a REAL lumber yard lol. If you still have questions about what wood is what, keep asking till you get an asnwer that YOU understand.
Dont let people make you feel stupid, just explain that you have never really
messed with different types of wood and want some help understanding more about all the different types. After you make it clear your basically a dumbass, They will "usually" try to bring it down to your level, but no promises.
good luck!
g~