Jake Rossen
Joined: May 6, 2013
Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.
The Most Popular Costco Products in (Almost) Every State
Why Do We Call Something a “Flash in the Pan”?
‘Malignant’: Winston Churchill’s Most Hated Portraiture Is Headed to Auction
Why Do We Call It a “Rain Check”?
When we promise to honor a commitment, it's a "rain check." And yes, it originally had something to do with the weather.
How Much Horsepower Does a Horse Have?
If you thought the answer was "one," we were right there with you. But we'd both be wrong.
Adam Rainer, The Little Person Who Became a Literal Giant
Under 5 feet tall as an adult, Adam Rainer had the growth spurt to end all growth spurts.
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?
A Brief History of JNCO Jeans
When were JNCO jeans popular and how did they come to be? Discover more about the history of these ultra wide-legged pants and why they were created in the first place.
Why Everyone Stopped Asking Jeeves
Ask Jeeves became a casualty of the search engine wars of the early 2000s. Eventually, their mascot was escorted right out the door.
Hard Sell: A History of the Pet Rock
The Pet Rock was the brainchild of copywriter Gary Dahl, who thought America needed a laugh during the largely humorless post-Vietnam and Watergate era.
10 Facts About Wilford Brimley
Celebrated actor/oatmeal pitchman Wilford Brimley once showed his buttocks to Steve Guttenberg. Read on for more unexpected facts about the walrus-mustachioed actor.
The 12 States That Pay the Highest Minimum Wage
Some states try to look out for workers. Others actually set minimums below the federal rate.
A Latte Trouble: Is Decaf Coffee Bad for You?
Some decaf coffee contains trace amounts of a carcinogen. Should we be worried?
Charlotte Braun, the ‘Peanuts’ Character Who Met a Gruesome End
When readers failed to warm to a new 'Peanuts' character, Charles Schulz erased her. Permanently.
When George Bush and Saddam Hussein Were Challenged to a Duel
In 2002, the two powerful world leaders were invited to settle their differences the old-fashioned way: Combat.