

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


10 Tips for Coping With a Heat Wave

The 20 Best Food Trucks in the U.S., According to Yelp

Why Is It Called a “Ball Peen Hammer”?
12 Secrets of Personal Injury Attorneys
Injured and need help? Here's why you actually want a billboard lawyer—and why you really, really don't want a big settlement.
You’re Probably Mowing Your Lawn Wrong
Got a brittle, brown, sad lawn? You’re probably making one of these common mowing mistakes.
Why Are Gas Stations So Close to One Another?
Spot a surplus of pumps in one small area? You're seeing Hotelling's Law in action.
The Best Offbeat Museum to Visit in All 50 States
We love museums devoted to art, history, and science as much as the next person—but sometimes, our curiosity demands quirkier territory.
Robert Sacchi, the Man Who Looked Exactly Like Humphrey Bogart
The so-called Bogus Bogie made a career out of his uncanny resemblance to the ‘Casablanca’ star.
H.T. Opsahl, History’s Worst High School Teacher
In 1924, H.T. Opsahl sentenced disruptive kids to a high-voltage electric chair. Parents were not amused. Discover more about the origins of one of history's worst high school teachers here.
The Right Way to Pronounce Açaí
Açaí, a popular superfood, can be easy for people to mispronounce. Here's a hint: It's definitely not "ack."
Why Is It Called “Iceberg” Lettuce?
Let’s explore the origins of America's most disrespected lettuce.
Up in the Air: When ‘Balloon Boy’ Took Flight
In 2009, the world was captivated by a little boy seemingly trapped in a runaway aircraft. As a new Netflix documentary reveals, the truth was a lot stranger.
When ‘Nick Takes Over Your School’ Let Kids Rule
In the '90s, Nickelodeon convinced a handful of schools to cancel class for the day and let kids go (somewhat) wild.
The 10 Best (and Worst) States for Road Trips in Summer 2025
Gas prices, road safety, and roadside attractions are all reasons to head for certain states (and avoid others).
Why Is It Called “New York-Style” Cheesecake?
All cheesecake is delicious. So why should you opt for New York-style over any other kind?