Jake Rossen

Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.

Cats Make Facial Expressions, But Not Everyone Can Read Them

Your furry friend can exhibit positive or negative emotions on their face, but it takes a special breed of human to be able to recognize them.... READ ON

Best Movies on Netflix Right Now

An Oscar-winning animated film, a boxing classic, and a taut thriller that shows us nothing but Tom Hardy in a car for 85 minutes are all just a click away.... READ ON

When Theodore Roosevelt's Gun Was Stolen

Theodore Roosevelt used a Colt revolver given to him by his brother-in-law during the Battle of San Juan Heights, firing a fatal shot. Nearly 100 years later, the gun disappeared without a trace.... READ ON

When Disco Demolition Night Sent Shockwaves Through Chicago

In July 1979, the struggling Chicago White Sox offered cheap admission to anyone bringing in a disco record to destroy. The promotion would prove to be catastrophic.... READ ON

USPS Releases PTSD Healing Stamp

The United States Postal Service's new 'Healing PTSD' stamp sells for 65 cents, 10 cents over a regularly-priced stamp. The proceeds will go toward funding assistance for those afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder.... READ ON

9 Brilliant Gifts for Gardeners

Do you have plant lovers on your Christmas list who like to get down and dirty? Here are a few gift ideas sure to plant a seed of gratitude.... READ ON

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' TV Special Facts

Charles Schulz thought 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' was a "disaster." CBS hated it. But it's the most beloved Christmas special of all time. Nice work, Charlie Brown.... READ ON

Valuable Hess Trucks

Every holiday season, Hess rolls out a new collectible Hess truck. Take a look at some of the rarest and most valuable Hess truck models that might be idling in your storage area.... READ ON

French Fry Shortage is Probably Overblown

Inhospitable weather has cut into potato harvests in Idaho and Canada, but consumers should still be able to get their French fry fix.... READ ON

Try Flamingo Yoga at This Bahamas Resort

Pink flamingos mingle with guests during yoga sessions at the Baha Mar Resort, lending a helping beak when necessary.... READ ON

AI Identifies Shakespeare's 'Henry VIII' Co-Writer

The Bard is widely regarded as the greatest playwright in the history of the English language, but what if he had a little help?... READ ON

'Secret Santa' Causes Millennial Anxiety

The traditional gift-giving exchange known as Secret Santa can result in social shaming and overspending, according to a new survey.... READ ON

Quick Gift Wrapping Trick

Use a technique embraced by department store workers in Japan to make gift wrapping a seamless event.... READ ON

Figure Out How Many Lights Your Christmas Tree Needs

Don't get stuck struggling with a ball of green cords year after year. Here's how to buy and store only the lights you need to make your Christmas tree shine.... READ ON

Why More Babies Are Conceived in Winter

Does it seem like a surplus of newborn babies pop up in September? Science has a few explanations why.... READ ON

Why Dogs Kick Their Feet After They Poop

Dogs that dig into the ground after relieving themselves aren't trying to bury their waste. They're leaving a fecal message for other dogs.... READ ON

How Black Friday Got Its Name

The day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, has a rather sinister label. How did that happen?... READ ON

Kate Warne, America's First Female Private Detective

At a time when women were rarely, if ever, were considered for roles in law enforcement, Kate Warne became a top investigator—and helped saved Abraham Lincoln's life.... READ ON

Best TV Shows on Amazon Prime

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

Lee Harvey Oswald's Unusual Funeral

Fearing attacks on his corpse, the Secret Service guarded Lee Harvey Oswald well into the afterlife.... READ ON

Study: 1 in 7 Kids in Denmark Will Have Mental Illness

A large study in Denmark looked closely at the prevalence of mental disorders in children. The results were surprising.... READ ON

Tom Dempsey: Toeless NFL Kicker

Tom Dempsey was born with only a partial right foot, but that didn't stop him from making NFL history on November 8, 1970 in a play so amazing even the referee jumped.... READ ON

Hallmark Channel Christmas Movie Facts

In an era of cord-cutting, Hallmark Channel Christmas movie programming delivers huge ratings. Here's how fake snow and formulaic plots have taken over the holidays.... READ ON

Science Finds a Better Way to Calculate 'Dog Years'

The old method of multiplying your dog's age by seven no longer applies. Here's a more accurate way of assessing your pet's lifespan.... READ ON

Bubble Wrap Facts

Pop pop! Everyone's favorite stress reliever has an impressive history. It's even been on the cover of Playboy.... READ ON

Cracked Disney+ Accounts: How to Protect Yourself

The newest streaming service is having some early growing pains: Hackers have made off with a number of Disney+ accounts to share among themselves.... READ ON

Anthony Blunt: Russian Spy at Buckingham Palace

'The Crown' offers a glimpse of Anthony Blunt, the real-life art curator for Buckingham Palace found to be a Russian Spy in 1964. Incredibly, he stayed on for eight more years. Here's why.... READ ON

The Difference Between Stuffing and Dressing

For carbohydrate lovers, nothing completes a Thanksgiving meal quite like stuffing ... or is it dressing? It depends on who you ask.... READ ON

Yikesss: Tree Snakes in Australia Can Jump

The 'Dendrelaphis' genus of snakes in Australia can propel themselves through the air, bridging the gap between trees.... READ ON

'Sesame Street' Puppeteer Secrets

For the show's 50th anniversary, the performers talk back pain, bloopers, and why they sometimes declare one of the legendary puppet cast members "toast."... READ ON

Best Movies On Disney+

Disney's long-awaited new streaming service promises to have something for everyone. Once you've made your way through the classics, check out these titles.... READ ON

Stuck in a Group Chat? Here's How to Stop It

Trapped in a group chat on your phone's messaging service? Here's how to get out quickly and painlessly.... READ ON

James Bond Author Ian Fleming's Letters Auctioned

The James Bond author spent time away from home to write and argue with his wife over his infidelity, according to a collection of letters offered by Sotheby's.... READ ON

Idling Cars in New Jersey Face Fines

New Jersey lawmakers who are concerned about pollution have cracked down on the antiquated practice of warming up vehicles.... READ ON

James Stewart Facts

Jimmy Stewart fought for the right to see combat in World War II and kept his Academy Award in the last place anyone would look.... READ ON

How Mammoth Poop Gave Us Pumpkin Pie

When you express gratitude with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, don’t forget to be grateful for mammoth poop.... READ ON

David Hasselhoff and the Berlin Wall

In the late 1980s, David Hasselhoff enjoyed an unlikely career as a pop musician in Germany. Did the 'Baywatch' star help bring about the fall of the Berlin Wall?... READ ON

1980s Novelty Cereals

As the market for licensed cereals grew, kids sat down for spoonfuls of Gremlins puffs and soggy Barbie bowls.... READ ON

Difference Between Memorial Day and Veterans Day

Both days are meant to celebrate military veterans, but there's one important distinction you should remember.... READ ON

Potted Plants Do Not Improve Indoor Air Quality

An examination of decades of studies demonstrates that plants don't do much to filter contaminants from the air.... READ ON

A Home Norman Rockwell Painted Is Up for Sale

You no longer need to settle for a home that's Rockwell-esque. Now you can live in a house captured by the acclaimed painter in his "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas."... READ ON

National Doughnut Day Differences

For Homer Simpson, every day is doughnut day. For the rest of us, there are two—one in June and one in November. But why?... READ ON

Houston's Ice Box Murders

In 1965, Houston was confronted with the savage murder and dismemberment of an elderly couple. They were found in their own refrigerator. The trail only got colder from there.... READ ON

Scientific Benefits of Sarcasm

The benefits of a cutting remark can go beyond getting some laughs. Properly deployed, sarcasm can have real social rewards.... READ ON

Teenage Inventor Tackles Car Blindspots

Trying to see around a car pillar can be frustrating. Thanks to a Pennsylvania teen, we might not have to deal with it for much longer.... READ ON

Mall Madness Game Facts

The popular 1990s board game was hit with criticism for promoting reckless spending and stereotyping women as frenzied shoppers.... READ ON

Weird Hobbies Included on Resumes

Some potential employees like to liven up their resumes with strange recreational pastimes. This list proves why that's not a good idea.... READ ON

Donate Leftover Halloween Candy

Remove the risk to your waistline and do some good at the same time by donating your leftover Halloween candy.... READ ON

'The Office' Best Jokes

The beloved NBC sitcom used a number of recurring jokes, none more quoted than Michael Scott's catchphrase. Here's the math.... READ ON

How to Get a Stuck Tongue Out of a Bottle

Kids who find their tongues stuck in juice bottles can experience pain, swelling, or possibly airway obstruction. A technique used to uncork wine bottles could help.... READ ON

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