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Where Did the Saying ‘Stick Out Like a Sore Thumb’ Come From?

The phrase dates back to the 19th century, but it took a fictional 20th century detective to take its popularity to new heights.
Paul Anthony Jones|Feb 17, 2025

5 of Abraham Lincoln’s Favorite Foods

The 16th president loved nutritious snacks—and he was also a big fan of bacon.
Mark Mancini|Feb 12, 2025

Martin Van Buren Had a Really Nice Toilet

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Brian Abrams|Feb 12, 2025

10 Word Pairs That Sound Like Opposites But Aren’t

Flammable vs. inflammable? Regardless vs. irregardless? Here are the linguistic explanations for 10 pairs of false antonyms.
Ellen Gutoskey|Feb 17, 2025

Presidents Day vs. President’s Day vs. Presidents’ Day: Which One Is It?

The apostrophe in Presidents Day—or President's Day or Presidents's Day—is all over the place ... or nowhere to be found at all.
Stacy Conradt|Feb 14, 2024

The Top 10 Destinations for Solo Travel in 2025

This list of 2025’s best solo travel spots features destinations like Spain, Egypt, and New Zealand.
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You’re Probably Brushing Your Teeth All Wrong

It’s easy to make these common mistakes when you're brushing your teeth, but here’s how to do it the right way.
Michele Debczak|Feb 7, 2025

How ‘Monopoly’ Helped Defend The Free World

For some soldiers confined in German POW camps during World War II, ‘Monopoly’ was so much more than just a board game.
the mag|Feb 13, 2025

Bessie Coleman, the Black Cherokee Woman Pilot Who Made Aviation History

No aviation schools in America would teach Bessie Coleman how to fly in the 1920s. So, she sailed to France and became the first African American and the first Native American woman to earn a pilot's license.
Michele Debczak|Jan 24, 2025

What’s the Kennection? #154

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
Ken Jennings|Feb 15, 2025

The Politician Who Sued God

In the world of politics, nobody is safe from a well-executed smear campaign.
Lucas Reilly|Feb 14, 2025

5 Tips for Safely Walking Your Dog in Winter

These cold weather walking tips for dogs can help you keep your pet safe, plus how to tell when it's too cold to walk your dog outside.
Jake Rossen|Feb 13, 2025

The Real Reason You Should Keep Washing Your Car Every Winter

Skipping this part of your winter car maintenance routine could spell big problems come spring. Discover the benefits of winter car washes, plus how often to do it.
Chris Wheatley|Feb 14, 2025

Reuters Created a Cozy Video Game to Explain Why People Love Relaxing Play

What better way to learn about cozy games than by playing one?
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25 Must-See Movies Turning 50 in 2025

Here’s a snapshot of 1975 in film, from blockbusters like ‘Jaws’ to hidden gems like ‘Night Moves.’
Ellen Gutoskey, Jake Rossen|Feb 14, 2025

How the Neighborhoods of Manhattan Got Their Names

For an island of only 24 square miles, Manhattan sure has a lot of neighborhoods. Many have distinct monikers that might not seem intuitive to the lay-tourist, or even to a lifelong New Yorker.
Laura Turner Garrison|Feb 11, 2025

AI News Summaries Contain Significant Errors More Than Half the Time, BBC Study Finds

AI has made major strides in recent years, but it still struggles with accurate news summaries.
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How Pack Rats Solved a Chaco Canyon Mystery

Chaco Canyon was once the vibrant religious center of a Native American culture whose collapse long remained a mystery—until pack rat middens revealed an important clue. 
Jackie Mead|Feb 14, 2025

Why Do We Say That Love Makes People Go “Weak at the Knees”?

In honor of Valentine’s Day, discover the origins of the phrase ‘weak at the knees,’ including its ties to ancient Rome and even astrology.
Marla Mackoul|Feb 14, 2025

8 of History’s Greatest Love Affairs

History is full of sweeping love affairs, from Antony and Cleopatra to Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin and many more. Discover some of the most passionate here.
mentalfloss .com|Feb 12, 2025
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