Mental Floss
We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Ellen Gutoskey|
The question of who has a claim to the moon and its resources is less a speculative fiction subject and more one for lawyers. Specifically, space lawyers.
Jake Rossen|
From the Hollywood heavyweight that director Steven Spielberg turned down to the actor who said no so he could go fishing for real.
Meredith Danko|
The little pinprick spots on apples, pears, and potatoes are called lenticels, and they’re very important.
Kate Horowitz|
The Carnarvon flapjack octopus flattens its body like a pancake and uses its Dumbo-like fins to swim.
CaLea Johnson|
Discover some of history's most hilarious—and unforgettable—controversies that were caused by farts, including regime changes in Ancient Egypt and more.
Lucas Reilly|
A rare grasshopper once believed to be extinct has been spotted for the first time since 1980—but habitat loss may threaten its future.
CaLea Johnson|
While they’re ubiquitous in pop culture, there’s one place where you won’t find great white sharks, and that’s behind glass.
Michele Debczak|
It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?
mentalfloss .com|
This classic American soda started as a brewed tea made from a potentially toxic plant.
CaLea Johnson|
Australia’s biggest natural wonder is a huge draw for tourists and fish alike. Here’s everything you need to know about the world’s most famous reef.
M. Arbeiter|
Consider avoiding these trails if you like to hike but hate the crowds.
CaLea Johnson|
There’s a right and a wrong way to wipe your butt after all. But with these expert-approved tips, you’ll be sitting pretty in more ways than one.
Alvin Ward|
Scientists say feeling too warm can make people less likely to cooperate with or help others.
Kate Horowitz|
These dads won’t be getting any Father’s Day cards this June.
Jill Harness|
Can you guess which pieces of space junk American astronauts left on the Moon?
mentalfloss .com|
You’ve probably wondered what’s really inside a hot dog before. We have the answer—though we don’t recommend reading it before your next cook-out.
Jake Rossen|
From its initial title to its real life inspirations to its disastrous, misconception-causing English translations.
Lorna Wallace|
Since it was published in 1971, ‘The Monster at the End of This Book’ has become an iconic entry in the kidlit canon. Here’s what you need to know about the book, which just made a cameo in HBO‘s ‘The Last of Us.’
April Snellings|
The American Academy of Otolaryngology advises against using cotton swabs to clean one’s ears. Here are six doctor-approved methods to try instead.
Zoe Weiner|
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