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7 Forgotten Mischief Night Pranks You Used to See Every Year
The night before Halloween still has its nicknames, but most of what kids actually did on it has disappeared.
Trick or Trivia Quiz Giveaway
Treat yourself to a new Halloween quiz every night and enter to be in the running.
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The Mental Floss Newsletter
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Ancient Italian "Miracle Wheat" Found in Attic Could Help Farmers Withstand Drought
An Italian farmer named Claudio Grossi found a mysterious variety of wheat in his attic, and recognized it in a passage in the Bible. His discovery could help farmers build resilience against climate change.
6 Slang Phrases From Jane Austen's England We Still Use Today
These six slang phrases from Jane Austen's era are still part of our vocabulary.
22 Beloved TV Shows That Were Canceled Far Too Soon
Each of these shows got the ax before it found its audience, but the audience eventually found it anyway,
50 Trick Questions That Will Make You Think Twice
Test your brain with 50 mind-bending trick questions with answers. See if you can spot the subtle logic traps and wordplay before getting stumped!
5 Creepiest Baba Yaga Stories From Slavic Folklore
Think Baba Yaga is just a fairy tale witch? From magical doll massacres to 41 impaled heads, explore five of Slavic folklore’s most terrifying Baba Yaga stories.
The Writing Habits That Helped Sylvia Plath Create Her Most Famous Work
Even with depression, divorce, and single parenthood, Sylvia Plath managed to continue her work with these strict writing habits.
Why Does Baba Yaga Fly in a Mortar Instead of on a Broomstick?
The famous Slavic witch's connection to mortars and pestles has a grim backstory. Here's why Baba Yaga is often depicted traveling in a mortar.
The 10 Most Expensive Picasso Paintings Ever Sold, Ranked
While Picasso had one of the longest careers in modern art, four of his priciest paintings come from a single year.
Quiz: How Many Classic Horror Movies Can You Identify From Their Monsters?
If you can get a perfect score on this monsters trivia quiz, you can consider yourself a classic horror expert.
20 Things Millennials Grew Up With That Are Already Obsolete
Kids growing up in the 2020s might not recognize many of these items.
The 10 Best Stephen King Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
From "The Shining" to "The Shawshank Redemption," these are the Stephen King adaptions that are ranked most highly on Rotten Tomatoes.
Can You Spot the Pattern Hiding in Ken Jennings’s Latest Kennections?
Welcome to Kennections, a quiz created by ‘Jeopardy!’ host and champion Ken Jennings.
Sylvia Plath’s Fascination With the Occult Included a Homemade Ouija Board
Sylvia Plath suspected the spirit she and Ted Hughes talked to was their own subconscious, but she kept asking it questions anyway.
Can You Spot the Spirits Hiding in These Pumpkin Spice Lattes?
Test your visual skills with illustrator Gergely Dudás’s cozy autumn puzzle! Can you spot the three tiny ghosts hidden among these pumpkin spice lattes?
Quiz: Can You Finish These Spine-Chilling Literary Titles?
Guess all 25 missing words and complete these titles before time runs out!
The Spookiest City in Every U.S. State, Mapped
Learn about the most haunted city in your state, plus the top 10 spookiest cities and top 10 spookiest states in America.
The Halloween Rituals People Once Used to Predict Marriage
Could these spooky Halloween love traditions predict your future spouse?
Why Baba Yaga Lives in a House With Chicken Legs
Learn the fascinating origin behind Baba Yaga's chicken-legged hut, its connection to Slavic death rituals, and the folklore behind her strange forest home.
The States That Love Candy the Most (And Least), Ranked
Some states contribute more than others to America's massive candy industry. Where does your state fall?








































