Ellen Gutoskey
Joined: Jun 24, 2019
Ellen Gutoskey is a Mental Floss staff writer who especially loves covering pop culture, not-so-popular culture, literature, really tiny things, really giant things, and anything that was previously thought to be lost. She used to work in publishing, she's usually laughing, and you can follow her on Twitter @ellengutoskey.
Woman Rescues Baby Hedgehog, Realizes It’s a Hat Pom-Pom
Submarine vs. Submersible: What’s the Difference?
Divorced, Beheaded, Died: A Guide to King Henry VIII’s 6 Wives
The Mysterious Origins of the Phrase ‘The Whole Nine Yards’
Linguists and lexicographers have truly gone the whole nine yards to uncover the origin of ‘the whole nine yards.’
The Princes in the Tower: British Royal History’s Most Tantalizing Murder Mystery
An heir and a spare disappeared during England's War of the Roses. Here's what happened—and how we might hope to solve the mystery today.
A Stimulating History of Free Condoms at the Olympics
Condoms in the Olympic Village have been a tradition—and a public health service—since 1988.
The U.S. States With the Lowest (and Highest) Tax Rates
See all 50 U.S. states (plus Washington, D.C.) ranked by tax rates.
How to Pronounce 25 Tricky British Last Names and Titles
From ‘Cholmondeley’ to ‘Wriothesley,’ here's how to pronounce Britain's least intuitive last names.
What Does the Irish Word ‘Craic’ Mean?
Here’s everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and evolution of the Irish word ‘craic.’
Alexander Hamilton
Learn about the life, legacy, and devastating death of Alexander Hamilton, the man who inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical.
Why Is Sneakily Leaving Called an “Irish” Goodbye or Exit?
What is an Irish goodbye—and why is it called that?
Hamster vs. Gerbil vs. Guinea Pig: What’s the Difference?
Here's how to tell your hamsters from your gerbils and your gerbils from your guinea pigs.
Now Hiring: Royal Family Communications Assistant (No, Literally)
Here's your chance to work for King Charles III's private secretary.
Why Do We Call It a ‘Piggyback’ Ride?
Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.
Is Humpty Dumpty Even an Egg? An Investigation
The origins of the nursery rhyme can tell us exactly why Humpty Dumpty is depicted as an egg.