Mental Floss
Botany or badass band? See if you can tell the difference.
mentalfloss .com|
The duffel is perfect for weekend trips or cocaine smuggling. But why is it called a duffel?
Jake Rossen|
If it wasn’t for John Kennedy Toole’s mom, his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel would likely have been lost to time.
Jennifer M Wood|
Discover the evolution of ‘The Sims’ video game, including how it shot to popularity in the early 2000s and become one of the most successful PC game franchises of all time.
Jake Rossen|
Baking can be great if you have a sweet tooth, but experts say it could also have a positive impact on your mental health for some key reasons.
Ellen Gutoskey|
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, is recognized around the country as a time to celebrate Mexico’s cultural heritage. Like a lot of days earmarked to commemorate a specific idea or event, its origins can be a little murky. Who started it, and why?
Jake Rossen|
It all began in 1952 when then-Princess Elizabeth was caught without a black outfit when the circumstances called for one.
Ellen Gutoskey|
All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
Ken Jennings|
Keep these life hacks in your back pocket to make your everyday chores easier, whether you have to clean, cook, organize, or just live more efficiently.
Madeline Raynor|
In the latest Pokémon-shaped snack news, a “Pikacheeto” is selling for over $2500. Cheetos shaped like Super Mario and Michael Jordan are also up for auction.
CaLea Johnson|
Any early warning sign can be a canary in a coal mine. But the original meaning was more specific.
Ellen Gutoskey|
Chattanooga has come a long way from being one of the most polluted cities in the country to the U.S.’s first National Park City.
CaLea Johnson|
Thousands of travelers rated the best states for stress-free driving—see which made the top five.
CaLea Johnson|
Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.
CaLea Johnson|
NASA officially prohibits alcohol aboard its missions, but that didn’t stop some American astronauts from enjoying a wee nip with their Russian colleagues.
Nick Keppler|
Andrew Huang’s fully functional xylophone made entirely from LEGO is music to our ears.
CaLea Johnson|
Discover the U.S. cities where renters can save money in 2025—and those where rent will take a big bite out of your wallet.
CaLea Johnson|
Bottled water might seem like it lasts forever, but containers have expiration dates attached. Discover why and whether it’s safe to drink after it’s expired.
Matt Soniak|
Author John Irving’s book about a boy with a “wrecked voice” who believes he’s an instrument of God is a staple on high school summer reading lists. Here are a few things you might not have known about it.
Erin McCarthy|
You might be measuring flour incorrectly. Here‘s the proper way to do it.
CaLea Johnson|
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