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Mental Floss
Over the past three decades, 28 high schools nicknamed “Redskins” have ushered in a new mascot. The last college with the moniker dropped it over a decade ago. Here are some stories of schools that dropped their Native American nicknames and mascots.
Lucas Reilly|
It's an exciting time: Nobel Prizes are being announced this week for achievements in medicine, literature, and more. Here are a few surprising facts about this annual honor.
Amanda Green|
Erik Sass|
Since at least the early 1900s, inventors have been trying to make Halloween even scarier through technology.
Erin McCarthy|
Next time you backpack Europe, it may be a good idea to take along your closest Canadian friend. You just might end up with all the free beer you’d ever want.
Lucas Reilly|
Rob Lammle|
As the Nazis swallowed Europe, two scientists fought back with the only weapon they had: chemistry.
Matt Soniak|
Director Alfonso Cua­rón’s latest film, Gravity, hits theaters today. The sci-fi flick is receiving rave reviews from critics and other filmmakers alike. Here are a few things you should know about the production. Warning: Spoilers below!
Erin McCarthy|
Her powers may be mainly symbolic now, but the Queen is technically still head of state in Canada.
Kathleen Elise|
A recent study analyzed 15.4 million Facebook messages to find which words are used most often by people at different stages of life.
Arika Okrent|
Short answer: Because food companies have designed it to be that way.
Caisey Robertson|
OK, "blow your mind" is a bit dramatic, but "65 Amazing Facts You'll Enjoy and Consider Mentioning to Your Friends" didn't fit.
Jason English|
Miss Cellania|
Matt Soniak|
Astronauts can use the microphone in their helmet, or sometimes they attach patches of velcro to the inside of their helmets, so they can scratch their nose.
Matt Soniak|
You walk into a coffee shop and look around. People of all descriptions are sitting at tables, reading the news, talking about the world, and drinking dark strong cups of coffee. Scenes like this play out in coffee shops all over the world in 2013, but th
Virginia Claire McGuire|
The next time you rinse and repeat, give a nod to the Indian surgeon who brought hair washing to the West.
the mag|
Some entomologists, the scientists that study insects, have a work life that presents a challenge: they’ve devoted their careers to creepy-crawly animals, work with them every day, sometimes get up close and personal with them and are maybe even fond of t
Matt Soniak|
The question of whether you should put one or two spaces after the period at the end of a sentence elicits strong reactions on both sides.
Arika Okrent|
Chris Higgins|
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