Emily Petsko

Joined: Apr 10, 2018

Emily Petsko is a former staff writer at Mental Floss. Her writing has appeared in Lonely Planet, The Guardian, and several lifestyle publications in Asia.

25 Foreign Words With Hilarious Literal Meanings

This dachshund wants you to know you're probably mispronouncing the name of his breed.

The Right Way to Pronounce 'Dachshund'

If You Can Correctly Pronounce Every Word in This 1920s Poem, You’re Among the English-Speaking Elite

Pro tip: You shouldn't toss any out the window, either.

You Should Never Leave Plastic Water Bottles in a Hot Car—Here’s Why

The history surrounding this issue is long and complicated.

Men’s Pockets Really Are Deeper Than Women’s—And Here’s Why

You aren’t just imagining things—the pockets on men's clothing really are deeper than in women’s clothing. Discover the reasoning behind this odd (but deliberate) design choice here.

Roderick Eime, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

Titanic II Is Preparing to Set Sail in 2022, and You Can Be On Board

A nearly identical replica of the doomed 'Titanic' is scheduled to make its maiden voyage in 2022. Who's ready to tempt fate?

Are You Smart Enough to Pass Thomas Edison’s Impossible Employment Test?

Thomas Edison’s 146-question employment test was so difficult that the inventor’s own son—as well as Albert Einstein—reportedly flunked it.

Why ‘Run’ Is The Most Complex Word in the English Language

This pithy word may only be three letters long, but it's deceptively complex. According to one lexicographer, it has 645 distinct definitions.

Red hair and freckles are two traits partially determined by genes.

13 Facts About Genes

Humans are now known to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, but researchers still have much to learn about these small segments of DNA.

Airfares are often cheaper on the holiday itself.

10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

While we can’t promise that your journey to grandma’s house this year will be enjoyable, we know of a few travel tips to make it less stressful.

All this sugar would have horrified the inventor of graham crackers.

Graham Crackers Were Invented to Combat the Evils of Coffee, Alcohol, and Masturbation

Social media users regularly joke about the origins of the simple graham cracker as a way to curtail sexual impulses. And while it might sound bizarre, this is one viral trend that is based in truth.

You Can Use Your FSA or HSA Card to Pay for Medical Items on Amazon

Don't want to make an unnecessary trip to the store to pick up eye drops or sunscreen? You can order them online, using the pre-tax money in your account.

This Wall Chart Shows Every Species in the Cat Kingdom

From the humble house cat to the pointy-eared lynx.

Get your new year off to a stellar start.

15 Products to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Here are 15 products that can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions, including innovative water bottles, notebooks, and more.

7 Surprising Facts About Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen once stayed with Charles Dickens. By the end of the five-week visit, Dickens was so exasperated with Andersen he ended the friendship.

Here’s the Real (No Good) Reason Glasses Are So Expensive

You're getting ripped off, big time.