Jake Rossen
Joined: May 6, 2013
Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.
Barbara Newhall Follett: The Child Novelist Who Later Vanished Into Thin Air
Agatha Christie, Surfing Pioneer
The Origin of ‘Talk to the Hand’
Rutherford B. Hayes, National Hero of Paraguay
How a largely forgotten U.S. president became a South American idol.
Why Do We Call It a ‘Cottage Industry’?
The term is often applied to everything from Etsy shops to trendy businesses. But what does ‘cottage industry’ really mean?
Is Death by Guillotine Painless?
Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin described the guillotine's effect as being “Like a cool breath on the back of the neck.” Anne Boleyn would likely disagree.
Why Is Row 13 Missing on So Many Airplanes?
Superstition isn't the only reason you can't sit in 13A.
What Is 'Flat White' Coffee?
Flat white coffee combines the best of a cappuccino and a latte.
Why Do We Call Them ‘Dumbbells’?
The popular piece of workout gear has a pretty insulting name, and it's all thanks to a poet and scholar.
Udder Success: A Brief History of the ‘Got Milk?’ Campaign
The “Got Milk?” tagline became as popular as “Just Do It.” But did it really convince people back in the 1990s to drink more milk? Uncover the history of this iconic marketing campaign here.
The Listener: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the Father of American Sign Language
When a minister and law student met a little girl named Alice, he became determined to help her communicate with the world.
12 Real People Who Can Be Seen in Norman Rockwell Art
The master of Americana often drew on real people for inspiration, including one little boy who grew up to be the chairman of Nintendo.
Bada Bid: The Booth From ‘The Sopranos’ Finale Just Sold on eBay for $82,600
The booth where Tony Soprano may have met his untimely end is now in private hands.
‘Wicked Frickin’ Cringe’: The 10 Most Loved (And Most Hated) American Slang Words
Some American slang is frickin' great. Others can be cringe. Real talk.
Movie Remake vs. Reboot: What's the Difference?
Pain don't hurt, but trying to understand the difference between remakes and reboots can.