Mental Floss
Discover how King Henry VIII and other members of the Tudor nobility handled going to the bathroom in the mid-1500s. (Spoiler: There was velvet involved, but it still wasn’t pretty.)
Lucas Reilly|
All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?
Ken Jennings|
Naming a car is like naming a baby, only with a few hundred million dollars at stake.
Jake Rossen|
Looking for the ultimate off-the-grid lifestyle? Find out which states offer the best self-sufficiency, renewable energy options, and low cost of living.
CaLea Johnson|
Anyone who has ever played ‘Tetris’ knows how addictive the ’80s video game can be. Scientists say the Tetris Effect may even have psychological benefits for people coping with PTSD.
Beth Robertson|
Researchers have created a sensor that monitors plant stress, which could one day be a game-changer for anyone with a black thumb.
CaLea Johnson|
From home and auto insurance to free hearing aids, there’s a lot you can squeeze out of your Costco membership.
Kate Rockwood|
How did daytime dramas like “Guiding Light” and “General Hospital” become known as “soap operas”? It's all thanks to commercials.
Marla Mackoul|
Word is a word. Noun is a noun. Autological words are a self-centered, self-referential bunch.
Arika Okrent|
Use this map to plan your birding schedule ahead of the spring migration.
CaLea Johnson|
Classic Disney characters have lent their names to spiders, dinos, and more.
Ellen Gutoskey|
Each year, Gallup’s World Happiness Report ranks nations based on support systems, social trust, generosity, and more.
CaLea Johnson|
Scientists at the University of St. Andrews found that seals can detect blood oxygen levels, allowing them to plan dives and avoid drowning.
CaLea Johnson|
Cornell’s SpellRing could change the ASL translation game.
CaLea Johnson|
From Chesapeake, Virginia, to Anchorage, Alaska, these cities offer plenty of parkland.
CaLea Johnson|
The riddle below dates back to 1876—can you figure it out?
Paul Anthony Jones|
Do you often mix up antiques, memorabilia, and collectibles? If so, it‘s about time you learned the difference.
CaLea Johnson|
Wondering when the first day of spring is in 2025? Here’s everything you need to know about the vernal equinox.
Michele Debczak|
In the 19th century, 'inside baseball' only had one meaning—here's how it came to be.
Ellen Gutoskey|
What happens when nearly 900 dachshunds gather in one place? A world record, of course.
CaLea Johnson|
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