Mental Floss

ALL STORIES

'Harry Potter'

Find out if you're more of a loyal Gryffindor companion, a Dumbledore-like leader, or a Slytherin strategist who excels behind the scenes.

Learn what "DTM" means and how to use it in conversation.

Drone footage image of a boat in front of houses on cliffs in Hydra, Greece

From idyllic Greek islands to glittering villages in the Swiss Alps, these locales have one thing in common: no cars allowed.

New England neighborhood with white picket fences

Here are the top 5 states for adults who still live with their parents, and what that means for the US.

See how quickly you can name the 30 most populated cities that observe Eastern Time!

Like Route 666, this angel number can be a cue to change course.

Discover the real meaning behind angel number 666 and why it isn’t as negative as it seems. Explore its symbolism in numerology, spirituality, and everyday life.

Hotel hallway with patterned carpet

Psychology, economics, and comfort play a role—but some hotels are pushing back against this trend.

Guns N' Roses in the 1980s

From Beatles classics to Guns N' Roses hits, these songs started as jokes—but became classics.

The Titanic 1912

How modern technology and safety standards would impact your chances of surviving a maritime disaster like the Titanic.

Cheese And Charcuterie

Learn more about the TikTok trend, "Girl Dinner," and why it has women and health experts talking.

See if you can name all 10 of these iconic cities from a single image!

“Bite the bullet” means facing something tough—but where did it come from? Explore the phrase’s origins and how its meaning changed over time.

Elvis Presley

Some of Elvis Presley’s most legendary songs weren’t originals.

There’s a specific reason hotel mirrors are almost always positioned across from the bed.

Exterior of a Romano's Macaroni Grill location in Orlando, one of several once-popular chains that have since faded from the dining scene.

From once-ubiquitous casual dining spots to fast-food favorites, these defunct chain restaurants were everywhere—until they weren’t. Here’s what happened to them.

Sign reading "Doomsday Ahead" with lightning strike in background

From 2nd-century sects to Heaven's Gate, doomsday cults are nothing new.

Angelina Jolie as Maleficent

Every Disney princess has an enemy (or two!), creating some iconic stories. How well do you know the villains? Can you match them to the princess?

The selection of these colors is deeper than you think.

Honeybee next to pink flower

It turns out that this season can trigger changes in our physiology that actually help us start new things.

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in ‘Casablanca’

All the biggest film buffs should know the answers to these 100 trivia quiz questions.

Bruce Springsteen

In addition to his long list of hits, The Boss is responsible for other great songs you might not have known he wrote.

Businessman sleeping on computer keyboard

Factors like lack of exercise, high alcohol consumption, and stress contribute to sleep deprivation. See where your closest city ranks.

‘Beauty and the Beast’

You know the chorus, and you know the opening line. What about a random lyric from a Disney song? Can you name it then?

Sodas lined up in a store

Not everyone has abandoned hope that these drinks—from Orbitz and Surge to Josta and Snapple Elements—might come back.