
Latest Articles

Is It Really Illegal to Burn Money?
The next time you feel a burning desire to torch your Benjamins, think twice. Burning money—or intentionally damaging it in any way—is illegal.Quizzes





Weekly Spotlight
History

The Mental Floss Newsletter
A little smarter, a little weirder, and way more fun than the average email.
Entertainment
Geography
Reader Favorites
More Stories

The Origins of 5 Soccer Terms You Might Hear on ‘Ted Lasso’
Your guide to English terms as you watch the new season of ‘Ted Lasso.’
The Surprising Historical Job Of Waking People Up Before Alarm Clocks Existed
They were called “knocker uppers.”
9 Household Items Every Tudor Family Owned
Life was vastly different during the Tudor period, though you might be surprised to learn how similar some of their household items were to what we use today.
See the 17 States Where Deaths Outnumber Births, Mapped
In 17 U.S. states, annual deaths now outnumber births. Discover the factors behind America's dropping fertility rates and see if your state made the list.
5 Cowboy Towns in America That Still Feel Like the Wild West
Follow the trail to five legendary towns where cowboy culture is more than just hats and history.
10 Chores Medieval Children Were Expected to Do
From fetching water to farming, kids were expected to work hard in medieval times.
6 Smells That Take Millennials Back to the School Cafeteria
These scents, whether good or bad, remind us of our childhood lunches in the school cafeteria.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Solar Eclipse
Today, solar eclipses are sometimes seen as good times to rest, reflect, and break out of old patterns. Ancient cultures and religions all ascribe their own meanings to these celestial phenomena.
The Best U.S. Cities for Cafe Workers, Ranked (And Why NYC Didn't Make the Cut)
Looking for the best U.S. city to work from a coffee shop? Discover where fast Wi-Fi, affordable lattes, and abundant cafés make remote work easy.
The Unusual Sport Herbert Hoover Played at the White House
Facing the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover needed a quick workout—so he invented Hoover-ball, a fast-paced game played with a 6-pound medicine ball.
50 Best Back-to-School Trivia Questions to Kick Off the New School Year
Whether you're a student or a teacher, test your knowledge with these fun trivia questions to jumpstart the semester!
7 Things Every 1990s Bookstore Had
Every bookstore in the '90s had certain things that made them an inviting space to read and buy books. Here are a few of them!
Why Do We Say "Two Peas in a Pod"?
Why do we say “two peas in a pod” to describe things that are nearly identical? The expression dates back centuries—and peas are the perfect comparison.
See the States That Gained the Most People From Abroad, Mapped
Texas and Florida welcomed the most new immigrants of any states between 2024 and 2025. See how all the U.S. states stack up.
Quiz: Can You Name the TV Show From the Fictional Bar?
Every TV show needs somewhere for people to hang out and grab a drink. How well can you remember the TV shows just from the names of their fictional bars?
Quiz: Can You Complete the Famous Quote From 'The Office'?
How well do you know your Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute one-liners? See if you can complete these classic quotes from 'The Office' with this quiz.
Herbert Hoover Had One of the Most Unusual Paths to the Presidency
Hoover built quite a reputation before occupying the Oval Office.
The 20 Highest-Grossing Directors Of All Time, Ranked
From Steven Spielberg to Christopher Nolan, these directors have all made billions at the box office.
The Best—And Worst—Countries for Women, Ranked
A new ranking reveals the best and worst countries for women, based on factors including inclusion, justice, security, and peace.



































