Hannah Keyser

Follow @HannahRKeyser

Hannah Keyser lives in Brooklyn and writes for Deadspin. She thinks soft serve ice cream is far superior.

The first time scientists encountered a platypus specimen, they thought the animal was a hoax. Read on for a few more things you might not have known about this quirky creature.... READ ON

Offbeat May Holidays

From Star Wars Day to National Tap Dance Day, the month of May is full of delightful, offbeat holidays you should be celebrating.... READ ON

Why Does the Queen Have Two Birthdays?

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926. But having a second birthday is one of the many reasons why it's good to be the queen.... READ ON

What is Lake–Effect Snow?

Requiring a sufficiently large lake is only the first step in creating the monstrous blizzards known as lake-effect snow.... READ ON

The Story Behind Times Square's New Year's Eve Celebration

New Year's Eve in Times Square is one of the most famous traditions in New York City. Learn more about how Manhattan's most colorful party came to be.... READ ON

15 Facts About The Very Hungry Caterpillar On Its 50th Anniversary

Eric Carle's bright, beloved children's classic about an insatiable caterpillar has been collecting awards—and fans—since it was first published in 1969.... READ ON

20 Black-and-White Facts About Penguins

Some things you might not know about everyone's favorite tuxedoed, flightless bird.... READ ON

Why Do Babies in Medieval Paintings Look So Old And Scary?

Have you ever been wandering around an art museum and found yourself chuckling at the angry middle-aged-man heads on Medieval babies?... READ ON

5 Ways Grimm's Fairy Tales Changed After the First Edition

We rounded up some of the more surprising aspects of the first edition that were later cleaned up or scrubbed from the text altogether.... READ ON

Where Did The Ampersand Symbol Come From?

Happy National Ampersand Day!... READ ON

16 Fun Facts About Hedgehogs

Because hedgehogs are not native to North America, we celebrate Groundhog Day rather than Hedgehog Day.... READ ON

16 Playful Facts About Otters

These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic.... READ ON

How Do Generations Get Their Names?

Baby Boomers were the first named generation to exist.... READ ON

12 Weird Things That Have Washed Ashore

From a bag of human hands to LEGO bricks and rubber duckies, some very weird things have washed up on the world's beaches.... READ ON

The Most Decorated Winter Olympians in History

For most athletes, winning a medal at the Olympics would be the pinnacle of their career. But these athletes didn't stop at just one. They excelled under pressure and earned themselves a spot in the annals of their respective sports as the Most Decorated Winter Olympians.... READ ON

10 Unintentionally Horrifying Statues of Famous People

Having a statue erected in your likeness sounds like it would be an honor. But when the end result leaves you looking disfigured, soulless, or otherwise terrifying for all eternity, it's worth considering that sometimes it's not the thought that counts.... READ ON

How Americans Celebrated Independence Day in 1777

Unofficially, the celebrations started just a year after the Declaration was ratified.... READ ON

25 Fun Facts About A League Of Their Own

You know there's no crying in baseball, but here are 25 things you might not have known about the film.... READ ON

The Time Hank Aaron’s Bodyguard Didn’t Shoot

Why Does "K" Stand For "Strikeout" In Baseball?

The use of K as a shorthand for strikeouts dates back to the earliest days of America's pastime.... READ ON

11 Delicious Facts About IHOP

The popular breakfast spot has been serving up extra-sweet pancakes—and other food, too—for over 50 years.... READ ON

How Each State Decided What to Put on Its Commemorative Quarter

Here's how each state decided what to put on its commemorative quarter.... READ ON

11 Very Canadian Facts About Tim Hortons

The 50-year-old coffee-and-doughnut chain is now an international business, but it’s still Canadian at heart... READ ON

Why Are Truffles So Expensive?

To figure out a little bit about why truffles are so expensive, we talked to Vittorio Giordano, the Vice President and Truffle Guru at Urbani Truffles USA.... READ ON

11 Better Facts About Papa John's

What started in a broom closet is now and international chain.... READ ON

10 Flair-Covered Facts About TGI Fridays

This family favorite started life as a rocking icon of the mid-century singles scene.... READ ON

What's the Difference Between the Beach and the Shore?

You could say one is specific to New Jersey—and colloquially, that would be correct. But technically, people in New Jersey can go to the beach, and there are shores even outside the Garden State.... READ ON

10 Deep Facts You Might Not Know About Uno Pizzeria and Grill

Love Chicago-style deep-dish pizza? You have Uno’s to thank for it.... READ ON

11 Chock-Full Facts About Cold Stone Creamery

Mmm, gotta have it.... READ ON

10 Things You Might Not Know About Denny's

America's diner is open and ready to serve up some bacon.... READ ON

11 Meaty Facts About Arby's

Arby's may play to an older audience than other fast food chains, by it doesn't need a play-place to have a good time.... READ ON

33 Crass and Creative Norse Nicknames

Vikings had some really descriptive epithets.... READ ON

15 Fast Facts About Cheetahs

You probably know that they’re the fastest land animal in the world, but did you know they chirp like birds?... READ ON

10 Incredible Ice Skating Rinks Around the World

These quirky and character-filled rinks are more than just a sheet of ice.... READ ON

9 Things You Might Not Know About Friendly's

The 80-year-old chain was founded by two brothers who are still eating its ice cream every day.... READ ON

32 Incredible Images of the 2016 Blizzard

It was a storm of historic magnitude.... READ ON

See These Amazing Photos of Winter Storm Jonas From Space

If you live on the East Coast or in the mid-Atlantic region, the view out your window right now is probably a blur of blustery snow.... READ ON

8 Interview Questions You Might Not Know Are Illegal

Sometimes, neither job seekers nor interviewers realize a line has been crossed.... READ ON

8 Trail-Blazing Female Firsts In Sports

Take a look at a few historic female firsts across the sporting spectrum.... READ ON

The Man Who Broke The World Record For Pole Vaulting—35 Different Times

In the late '80s and early '90s, Ukrainian pole vaulter Sergey Bubka intentionally broke world record just a centimeter at a time.... READ ON

9 Things You Might Not Know About Moe’s Southwest Grill

This chain takes customer-participation to new levels.... READ ON

8 Popular Tourist Attractions That No Longer Exist

The Gum Wall wasn’t the first tourist attraction to be closed, demolished, or undone despite its popularity. Take a look at eight other places you used to be able to visit.... READ ON

15 Playful Facts About Otters

These adorable aquatic mammals are clever, chatty, and oddly aromatic.... READ ON

11 Brilliant Gifts for the Women in Your Life

Present the women in your life with these 11 options.... READ ON

11 Brilliant Gifts $10 and Under

Even if you’re strapped for cash, you can still impress everyone on your gift list.... READ ON

10 Festive Christmas Markets From Around the World

Even if you’re already done all your holiday shopping—and especially if you haven’t—a visit to one of these Christmas markets is the perfect seasonal activity.... READ ON

12 Cookie Cutters To Make Your Holiday Treats Stand Out

We can't promise that appropriately themed cookie cutters will make your baked goods taste any better this holiday season. But they'll look super cute, and you'll probably have a lot more fun making them.... READ ON

Who Invented the Turducken?

From the 18th century to John Madden's football broadcast, a brief history of the decadent dish.... READ ON

11 Brilliant Gifts For the Newlyweds or New Homeowners in Your Life

Help the new nesters in your life get settled in a chic, comfortable, and customized way with gifts that are both practical and fun.... READ ON

11 Brilliant Gifts For the Artisanal Foodie in Your Life

Presents that’ll make even the most ardent foodie’s mouth water.... READ ON

Popular on Mentalfloss