Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

Victorian Halloween Traditions

In the 1800s, Victorians regarded Halloween as less about creepy costumes and more about the abject terror of being unwed.... READ ON

Russell T. Davies Returns to 'Doctor Who'

Russell T. Davies, who revived 'Doctor Who' in 2005 after the series had been on ice for 16 years, is making his return.... READ ON

14 Feel-Good Movies to Stream Right Now

Movies can and do serve different purposes in our cultural diet: some are educational, some are inspiring, others shine a necessary light on injustice or tragedy, and some just make you feel good.... READ ON

Best Way to Clean Winter Coats

Winter is coming, and that means staying bundled up. Here's how to make sure your winter coat is nice and clean for the season ahead.... READ ON

Facts About 'Bridge to Terabithia'

'Bridge to Terabithia,' Katherine Paterson’s celebrated 1977 children's book about friendship and loss was, incredibly, based on a true story.... READ ON

Inside Yellowstone National Park Jail and Justice Center

The sprawling Yellowstone National Park sees enough criminal activity to warrant its own jail facility, court, and judge. Sentences can include fines and even a lifetime ban from the premises.... READ ON

Halloween Candy Is Dangerous for Pets

There's a bigger danger for pets during Halloween season than being forced to dress as Baby Yoda. Chocolate and other candy can prove harmful and even fatal.... READ ON

Can Car Color Affect Resale Value?

Your amazing gold Honda may not fetch such an amazing used-car price when you decide to unload it. Here's why.... READ ON

New Van Gogh Sketch Discovered

The artist has left behind a body of work that keeps expanding. This time, it's a pencil sketch that's been in private hands since 1910.... READ ON

Best Director's Cut Movies You Can Stream Right Now

From 'Blade Runner' to 'Alien,' streaming services have alternate or expanded cuts to make your favorite movies seem new again.... READ ON

Pumpkin Spice Searches In Each State

It's pumpkin spice season, which means plenty of pumpkin spice lattes and, depending on where you live, a real curiosity about pumpkin spice ramen noodles.... READ ON

How to Fix a Carpet Your Cat or Dog Has Destroyed

Pet owners know the perils of having carpeting in their home. When it comes to tears and rips, check out this method and you won't have to replace the entire carpet.... READ ON

Why Golf Balls Have Dimples

The dimples on a golf ball aren't just for show or design aesthetics. They can dramatically change the game of golf.... READ ON

15 Facts About Agatha Christie

With more than 2 billion copies of her books in print, British novelist Agatha Christie has kept countless readers up into the early morning hours.... READ ON

The Best One-Location Movies to Stream Right Now

Movies don't have to take a James Bond-esque trip around the globe to entertain. Some barely leave the room.... READ ON

Steve Wozniak Plans to Clean Up Space Trash

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is looking to monetize the space debris clogging the stars with Privateer, a kind of galactic garbage company.... READ ON

New Roomba Can Avoid Dog Poop

Roomba's new vacuum solves a problem that's been plaguing pet owners for years: How to dispatch an automated vacuum and have it avoid smearing dog poop around in the process.... READ ON

7 Allegedly Haunted Dolls

From walking on their own two feet to populating an entire island, these dolls' creepy habits are anything but cuddly.... READ ON

What's the Difference Between a Traffic Citation and a Ticket?

Getting a traffic ticket can be an expensive mistake. But is there a difference between a ticket and a citation? And what about a warning?... READ ON

11 Unfinished and Unreleased Films

Firing Robert De Niro. Struggling with a non-functioning animatronic bear. Spending 40 years on hand-drawn animation. For these reasons and others, these films aren't likely to ever see the light of day.... READ ON

The Biggest Volcanic Eruptions of All Time

Volcanoes do more than just spew lava. They can usher in revolutions, inspire great works of literature, or even convince people they're seeing ghosts.... READ ON

The Best Stephen King Movies and TV Shows to Stream

Master of horror Stephen King has seen countless adaptations of his books, novellas, and short stories. These are some of the best of them.... READ ON

Michael Jordan's Used Underwear Is Up for Grabs

You may have thought Michael Jordan's used boxer briefs would be off-limits to anyone but stalkers and locker room assistants. But if you have a couple of thousand dollars, they can be yours.... READ ON

McDonald's Mascot Grimace Has a Surprising Backstory

To some, Grimace is a dimwitted creature hailing from McDonaldland. To others, he looks like a ruptured scrotum. A McDonald's manager may have finally revealed what he really is.... READ ON

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Ways to Celebrate

National Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of Hispanic culture and history, offers a number of in-person and interactive events to get you plugged in.... READ ON

Hard-Boiled Eggs That Have a Gray Ring

Some hard-boiled eggs emerge from the pan sporting a gray or green ring around the yolk. Will it kill you? No. Can it be explained? Yes.... READ ON

Calvin Graham, the Teenaged World War II Veteran

Calvin Graham was just 12 years old when he enlisted in the Navy. By 13, he was a veteran. By 14, he was married.... READ ON

The FTC Is Investigating McDonald's McFlurry Machines

McFlurry machines are notorious for breaking down, forcing customers to mourn the dessert that could have been. Now the FTC wants to know why.... READ ON

Does Dish Soap Ever Go Bad?

Common household cleaning products like dish soap and laundry detergent might get forgotten about for years before being found and used. Are they still effective?... READ ON

There's a Chicken Traffic Officer in New Zealand

A hen named Henry patrols the parking area of a New Zealand preschool. According to one student, Henry ensures that "when cars come, they don't drive over the children."... READ ON

Octopuses Will Throw Things at One Another

If you're an uninvited guest to an octopus hangout, you need to be prepared for a seashell coming at your dome.... READ ON

The Singing Ringing Tree Is Straight Out of a Horror Movie

The 10-foot-tall sculpture in England is an aerolian harp, playing haunting music as the wind blows through it.... READ ON

The Most Searched 1990s Movies in Each State, Mapped

The nostalgia of the '90s can vary depending on where you live. Oklahomans, for example, are curious about 'Twister,' while others are more interested in a Disney classic.... READ ON

Does Watching Television Make You Hungrier?

Settling in for a night of binge-watching can have a significant effect on our potential for binge-eating.... READ ON

The Mystery of the Circleville Letters

For years, residents in and around Circleville, Ohio were plagued by a mysterious letter writer who seemed to know their darkest secrets. Death followed.... READ ON

9/11 Memorial & Museum Features More Than 1000 Oral Histories

The 9/11 Museum has compiled over 1000 firsthand accounts from survivors, first responders, and eyewitnesses from one of the most cataclysmic days in American history.... READ ON

Space-Themed Places to Stay

If you feel like getting away to outer space, check out these rental accommodations that promise to (metaphorically) send you into orbit.... READ ON

When Cher Was Banned From MTV

In 1989, Cher was back with a new album and a new look—one that prompted viewers, and even the U.S. Navy, to worry she was displaying too much of her cheeky side.... READ ON

Oscar Micheaux, the First Black Movie Mogul

From the 1920s to the 1940s, Oscar Micheaux led the way in shining a spotlight on Black culture in the movies.... READ ON

What Is Earwax, Anyway?

The smelly gunk coming out of your ears is actually good for you, which is more than we can say about anything else oozing out of your body.... READ ON

Best Animal Documentaries to Stream Right Now

These animal documentaries will take you on a cinematic journey around the globe, from the depths of the ocean to the skies above.... READ ON

Which Way Should Window Blinds Face?

Buying a set of mini-blinds comes with a huge decision: Should they be facing up or down? The answer depends on your need for privacy.... READ ON

'The Curious Viewer' Binge-Watching Book Guide Arrives in October

In 'The Curious Viewer,' we take a deep dive into some of the best and most binge-worthy shows of the past 20 years. Who knows? You might discover your next time-sucking addiction here.... READ ON

The 10 Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now

Since Errol Morris’s 'The Thin Blue Line' premiered in 1988 and helped free an innocent man accused of murder, filmmakers and viewers have developed a bottomless appetite for movies based on true stories that shed light on some of the darker sides of the human condition.... READ ON

100-Year-Old Woman Is the World's Oldest Female Powerlifter

Edith Murway-Traina took up weight training at the age of 91 and can now deadlift more than some of the people reading this.... READ ON

The Best Movies on Hulu Right Now

The streaming service has a variety of modern thrillers and classic films to keep you entertained for hours.... READ ON

Plastic COVID-19 Barriers at Stores Are Not Helping

The Plexiglas barricades seen in retail stores and other businesses probably won't reduce the spread of COVID-19. In some cases, they may even make things worse.... READ ON

The 12 Best TV Shows on Amazon's Prime Video Right Now

From 'Undone' to 'Invincible' to 'Fleabag,' Amazon's streaming service has something binge-worthy for every taste.... READ ON

Polish Olympian Maria Andrejczyk Sold Her Medal for a Good Cause

Maria Andrejczyk earned her first-ever Olympic medal this summer after battling back from bone cancer. She immediately sold it in order to help an 8-month-old in need.... READ ON

How Often Do You Walk Your Dog?

How long dogs need to be walked depends largely on their breed, size, and face shape. We're not kidding about that last part.... READ ON

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