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What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?

At first glance, these marine mammals seem virtually identical. But take a closer look and you’ll see that the differences between seals vs. sea lions really do stack up.
Rudie Obias|Oct 16, 2024

13 Facts About Women’s History Month

Find out everything you need to know about the origins of Women's History Month, including how it went from a daylong celebration born from a socialist idea to a monthlong institution in the United States.
Zoë Randolph|Mar 1, 2024

The Macabre Origins of 10 Idioms About Death

You may want to know the ghoulish beginnings of these well-known death idioms before you shuffle off this mortal coil, kick the bucket, or get laid out in lavender.
Jake Rossen|Feb 23, 2024

15 Delightfully Quirky Town Slogans

These towns may not have the biggest populations, but their clever slogans are second to none.
mentalfloss .com|Mar 1, 2024

How Foxes Might Use Earth's Magnetic Field to Hunt Prey

Foxes are highly skilled hunters, which allows them to eat a variety of small animals.
Matt Soniak|Feb 28, 2024

14 Fascinating Facts About Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’

Discover the controversy behind Hemingway’s classic novel, ‘A Farewell to Arms,’ as well as the inspiration for the title, the real-life love story that influenced the book, and how Bach inspired the author.
Jeff Wells|Feb 28, 2024

The Entertaining History of Dog and Pony Shows

When people talk about a dog and pony show today, they usually mean a flashy presentation or event that's all about appearances, with little real substance. But where does this phrase come from, and what's its history?
Anne Taylor|Feb 29, 2024

No Baking Is Required to Make This 5-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge

Make a decadent chocolate dessert tonight without turning on your oven.
Michele Debczak|Feb 29, 2024

Are Owls Actually All That Wise?

Though they’re excellent hunters, it turns out owls probably aren’t any smarter than a lot of other birds.
Anna Green|Feb 26, 2024

The History of 9 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they eat corned beef and cabbage? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Mary Beth Skylis|Feb 28, 2024

The Surprising Origin of the Word ‘Morgue’

Uncover the origins of the term ‘morgue’ in 18th-century Paris—and the morgue’s transformation from a place of spectacle to medical institute.
Claire Cock-Starkey|Feb 28, 2024

How the Spinning Jenny Transformed Textiles and Led to Industrial Sabotage

Here's the story of why the spinning jenny was invented and how the spinning mule usurped it.
Ellen Gutoskey|Feb 28, 2024

The 10 Most-Watched TV Series Finales Ever

What were the most watched series finales in TV history? The titles just might surprise you.
Stacy Conradt|Feb 28, 2024

Bee vs. Wasp vs. Hornet: What’s the Difference?

Discover the differences among these similar insects, including their diet, body size, and behavior.
mentalfloss .com|Feb 27, 2024

Whoa! How ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ Reinvented Its Iconic DeLorean for the Stage

The creative team behind ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ inherited the heavy task of recreating the movie's time-traveling DeLorean for the stage.
Emily Rome|Feb 27, 2024

Are Canadians Really As Nice and Polite As Everyone Thinks?

Canadians are known for their hospitality, but their niceness might be exaggerated.
Jake Rossen|Feb 27, 2024

Coyotes vs. Foxes: What’s the Difference—and How to Tell Them Apart

It may be hard to tell foxes and coyotes apart from far away, but there are several key differences distinguishing them.
Michele Debczak|Feb 27, 2024

The Fascinating Stories Behind 15 Celebrity Stage Names

From Snoop Dogg to Brie Larson, here's how 15 public figures came up with new names.
Ethan Trex|Feb 27, 2024

A Massachusetts Library System Will Let You Pay Fines With Cat Pictures

A cute or funny cat picture could earn you a blank slate at Worcester Public Libraries.
Ellen Gutoskey|Feb 27, 2024

10 Bizarre Royal Conspiracy Theories

From secret love children to political assassinations to accusations of vampirism, the British royal family has been the subject of many bizarre conspiracy theories over the course of its history.
Paul Anthony Jones|Feb 27, 2024
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