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Mental Floss
Plants are a crucial part of the environment, but in many ways they're frustratingly delicate. In the event of a major environmental or political crisis, they can't exactly hop on a plane to get away from the trouble, so we've got to take care of them.
Ethan Trex|
You wouldn't think something as small and mundane as a stamp would be much cause for controversy, but over the years, there are quite a few stamps that have upset more than just collectors.
Stacy Conradt|
The French have been wary, at times, of human kings -- consider the rough way they treated Louis the Last (XVI) -- but they've never shied from crowning kings of cheese. Below are three French contenders for the cheese throne, and the prominent voices tha
David Clark|
American New Year traditions include the ball drop in Times Square, the Tournament of Roses Parade, fireworks, year-end lists, New Year's resolutions, a toast and/or a kiss at midnight, Auld Lang Syne, and predictions for the year ahead. Here are some oth
Miss Cellania|
What did women do before we had People magazine to define ultimate attractiveness and tell us which leading man is the Sexiest Man Alive? Since the sexiness of said men is debatable and so many more worthy contenders are passed over, I suggest adding fict
Sara Newton|
If you're a sports fan, you know the nicknames and mascots of every team in the leagues you follow. If you're a die-hard fan, you probably even know what the teams used to be called. ("Washington Wizards? Please. They'll always be the Bullets to me."
Ethan Trex|
The holiday called Christmas is an amalgam of many winter holidays from around the world. Discover the origins of these bizarre customs.
Miss Cellania|
Presidents as far back as George Washington have waited until their final days in office to sign pardons. Let's take a look at some of history's more notable ones.
Ethan Trex|
Be prepared.
Kristen Steagall|
Up in the winter sky, water vapor in a cloud condenses into a droplet and freezes into a tiny bit of ice, with the water molecules bonding together as a hexagonal crystalline lattice with a six-fold symmetry.
Matt Soniak|
Today is my birthday. While you're surfing mentalfloss.com, I'm home celebrating with single-malt scotch and Rock Band. Wish you were here.
Matt Soniak|
Hint: Several were named after English kings.
Stacy Conradt|
So, if you've stuck with me and the Quick 10s all week, you're in on the Clark Gable joke. Otherwise, here's what happened: Monday's post about martini preferences just happened to include the preference of the character Clark Gable played in the movie T
Stacy Conradt|
by Shea
the mag|
Australians are proud of their wildlife, which is not only the oddest in the world, but also the most dangerous. That's not to say that it's a dangerous country, because most animals do not go out of their way to attack people. You just don't want to take
Miss Cellania|
Here's the story of how a show started as a typical formulaic sitcom, but grew into a syndicated monster. From the time Greg Brady got high to the reason Cindy Brady started balding, here's a quick rundown of all things Brady you probably didn't know. 1.
Kara Kovalchik|
Who makes up the Electoral College? Where and when does the Electoral College vote? What happens if no candidate received 270 electoral votes? And all your other Electoral College questions answered.
Ethan Trex|
Grab a partner and look into his or her eye "“ or stare deeply into it, if appropriate "“ in a normally lit room. The quick and dirty version of how you're able to view each other is this: Light enters the eye through the cornea, the clear outer dome, and
Matt Soniak|
As the presidential election inches closer, both candidates are looking for any little edge they might be able to find. To some undecided voters, a ringing endorsement might be just the thing they need to jump firmly into one candidate's camp. Although
Ethan Trex|
When Goldman Sachs received Fed approval to become a bank holding company, it ended the stalwart firm's run as an investment bank and foretold a new corporate direction. While a staggering amount of money has passed through Goldman's hands since its foun
Ethan Trex|
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