Mental Floss

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Big Gulp, digital camera

These memorable items, activities, and food products launched nearly 50 years ago.

Now what?

Can wrapping paper be recycled? As you may have guessed, correctly disposing of wrapping paper can be a bit complicated.

‘Tangled’

This quiz lets you put your Disney knowledge to the test, with side characters you may or may not remember from 15 Disney classics.

December 25 was a big day for Jimmy Buffett and William the Conqueror.

Other momentous events have happened on December 25, like Washington crossing the Delaware and the birth of Jimmy Buffett.

This partridge has no idea where the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” came from.

The actual 12 days of Christmas start on December 25—here are some fun facts about the song you can enjoy during the festivities.

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in ‘Hamnet’

If you loved ‘Hamnet,’ we recommend checking out these five other great films about William Shakespeare.

Warner Home Video

Watch ‘A Christmas Story’ in a whole new way—however many times you want—with these blink-and-you’ll-miss-‘em gaffes, anachronisms, and fun facts.

Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallow, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, and syrup

Beverages such as hot chocolate and the espresso martini lead the charge when it comes to the most popular holiday drinks by state.

Isaac Newton.

Jesus likely wasn’t born on December 25—but these people most definitely were.

Victorian Christmas Card: "Merry Christmas-Come under the mistletoe"

The everlasting tradition of kissing under the mistletoe during the Christmas holiday season goes back to ancient times.

Taylor Momsen and Jim Carrey in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

It’s time to spread some holiday cheer as you enjoy these annual staples with your loved ones. How well do you know Christmas classics like ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and more?

German chocolate cake.

You might be surprised to learn that German chocolate cake has nothing to do with Germany—it’s actually named after the guy who developed the specific chocolate.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or ‘Festa dei Sette Pesci,’ is a delectable blend of the sacred and secular, the old world and the new.

Festive scene with mince pies alongside tangerines, nuts and cinnamon sticks

And no, mincemeat pies don’t necessarily contain meat these days.

Turkeys don’t really rise from the ashes like phoenixes do.

Charles Dickens appreciated a prize turkey as much as Ebenezer Scrooge did. And on Christmas Eve 1869, his was missing.

‘Rocky’

These classic films deserve a rewatch in time for their big anniversaries.

A photo of William Shakespeare with the word “Brave”

These words don’t mean what they once did centuries ago.

Nativity scene by JJT: French painter, 1836- 1902.

The details of the story—both small and big—have been interpreted in different ways, some of which have no evidence at all.

‘Moana’

Can you tell the Disney princess by the words they said?

There’s a lot to know about this simple holiday treat.

Kelly Clarkson performing during Christmastime

There’s a science behind the biggest holiday earworms.

Stephen King

Acclaimed author Stephen King has been very vocal over the years on the many adaptations of his works—and not all of it has been positive.

Tbilisi, Georgia

In case you’re looking to relocate in the new year, these 12 cities across the globe offer great prices and way of living for any digital nomads.

It's not short for 'holiday.'

No word on how Santa feels about the Jolly Green Giant’s appropriation of his trademark phrase.