

Jake Rossen
Joined: May 6, 2013
Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.


Why Is It Called a “Duffel Bag”?

How Can I Tell If I Have Food Poisoning?

This App Lets National Park Visitors Report Trash and Plastic Pollution
What’s the Story Behind Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, is recognized around the country as a time to celebrate Mexico’s cultural heritage. Like a lot of days earmarked to commemorate a specific idea or event, its origins can be a little murky. Who started it, and why?
The Men Who Volunteered to Be Poisoned by the Government
In 1902, 12 men agreed to take low doses of poison in order to test their efficacy as food preservatives. No one died. Basically.
A Brief History of ‘The Sims’
Discover the evolution of ‘The Sims’ video game, including how it shot to popularity in the early 2000s and become one of the most successful PC game franchises of all time.
L-8: The ‘Ghost Blimp’ Whose Crew Disappeared During World War II
A submarine patrol blimp departed with a two-man crew in the morning. It landed with no one on board.
A Shattered Flower Pot With a Secret Nets $60,000 at Auction
The ceramic pot was left in a garden for years. It was a genuine work of art hiding in plain sight.
Do Animals Have Regional Accents?
Can a Boston dog bahk?
‘Gone’ Girl: When ‘Scarlett’ Dared to Continue the Story of ‘Gone With the Wind’
The belated sequel drew scorn from 'Wind' purists, who bellowed that 'Tomorrow is here, and it's just plain awful."
A Rare, Unaltered Print of ‘Star Wars’ From 1977 Is Coming to the Big Screen
The BFI is showing the 1977 space opera—which has undergone countless post-release changes—‘exactly as experienced’ on opening day.
Human Conveyor Belt Helps Michigan Bookstore Move Its Entire Inventory Down the Block
A ‘book brigade’ helped a small business relocate millions of words.
‘Violently Torn Apart’: 3D ‘Titanic’ Model Reveals New Details of the Ship’s End
A digital double promises fresh insight into the tragedy of the ‘Titanic.’
Why Do Dogs Like to Bury Things?
Dogs can tear up a lawn with an overwhelming desire to dig and bury things. Where does that impulse come from, and what do they think they’re accomplishing?
Why Do We Call a Dollar a “Buck”?
Everyone knows a buck means a dollar. But not everyone knows why.