Ellen Gutoskey

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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.

Goats Save Reagan Library From California Wildfires

Vincent Van Goat, Selena Goatmez, and more very hungry goats cleared flammable brush in the area earlier this year.... READ ON

Ian McKellen On Harry Potter Dumbledore Role

For years, Harry Potter fans have believed that Ian McKellen turned down the role of Dumbledore in the movies—partially fueled by comments the actor himself has made. But the truth seems to be slightly more complicated.... READ ON

Project Linus Blanket Donations

From whimsical patterns to kooky characters, these blankets provide comfort to children battling illness or trauma.... READ ON

Ship Stuck on Niagara Falls for Century Dislodged by Storm

It was such a dark and stormy night at Niagara Falls this Halloween that the ship finally escaped its craggy prison.... READ ON

Microsoft Japan’s 4-Day Work Week Increased Sales

The initiative was to encourage work-life balance for overworked employees in the wake of low birth rates and population decline.... READ ON

Color-Changing T-Shirts From Amazon

Shadow Shifter is keeping the colorful trend alive with this line of heat-reactive clothing on Amazon.... READ ON

Harry Potter House on Airbnb

You probably won’t see the ghosts of Harry’s parents in the halls, but you might glimpse one of Nearly Headless Nick’s contemporaries.... READ ON

Harry Potter Gift Ideas

From crafters to kids, bakers to bookworms, here are the most magical gifts for every kind of Potterhead.... READ ON

Bowling Green King George III Statue’s Arm Hits Auction

Most of the statue’s parts were melted into bullets for the American Revolution, but a few pieces were buried.... READ ON

NASA’s ‘Galaxy of Horrors’ Exoplanet Posters

It’s death by a million cuts on a slasher planet where glass shards blow through the air faster than 5400 mph.... READ ON

France’s First Official Magic Academy

By night, Le Double Fond’s patrons eat, drink, and enjoy magic shows. By day, it’s a school for aspiring magicians.... READ ON

Hellvetica Halloween Typeface

No jagged edges or dripping blood for this Halloween font, but its poor kerning is a graphic design catastrophe.... READ ON

Snorkeling Grandmas Uncover Sea Snakes

The “Fantastic Grandmothers” volunteered to use their New Caledonia snorkeling trips to photograph the venomous reptiles.... READ ON

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas Under $15

From artsy socks to reusable straws, here are 15 fun (and functional) stocking stuffer ideas for every person on your list.... READ ON

Anthony Bourdain Documentary

The beloved star of 'Parts Unknown' dedicated his life to sharing the stories of others. Soon, we’ll get to know his.... READ ON

Denmark Saves Lighthouse with Rollerblades

When it was built in 1899, more than 650 feet of land separated it from the water. By the 2000s, that number had dwindled to 20.... READ ON

Queen’s Coronation Crown Value

St. Edward’s Crown, the crown jewel of the Crown Jewels, is bedazzled with sapphires, topaz, amethysts, and more.... READ ON

Researchers Bankrupted by Eagles’ Roaming Charges

Steppe eagles have 7-foot wingspans, mainly eat carrion, and never read the fine print on their cell phone plans.... READ ON

Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow Set Tour

Indulge in Rory and Lorelai Gilmore’s favorite junk food at the Warner Bros. studio tour this winter.... READ ON

Oxford University Clapping Ban

Noiseless, trigger-less jazz hands are the British Sign Language’s official expression for applause.... READ ON

John Green Raising Money for Sierra Leone

One in every 17 Sierra Leonean women dies during pregnancy or childbirth. John Green wants to change that.... READ ON

New Detail on Voldemort Horcruxes

Voldemort looks increasingly shabby as the last Harry Potter movie progresses, and Wizarding World just explained why.... READ ON

Princess Margaret Facts

There’s more to the story of Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister than what you’ve seen on Netflix’s ‘The Crown.’... READ ON

Watch Rats Drive Tiny Cars

Maze-running lab rats can definitely teach us a lot, but car-operating ones could teach us even more.... READ ON

Google Maps Speed Trap Alerts

The new Waze-like update to Google Maps includes alerts for crashes, lane closures, construction, and more.... READ ON

Anachronisms in Shakespeare’s Plays

From the clock in ‘Julius Caesar’ to Machiavelli in ‘Henry VI,’ the Bard made a few (possibly intentional) mistakes.... READ ON

Favorite Horror Movie Villains by State

If this map proves anything, it’s that every corner of the country is obsessed with all things Stephen King.... READ ON

Starbucks Phantom Frappuccino

If the Tie-Dye Frappuccino was Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, this is surely the Wicked Witch of the West.... READ ON

Most-Searched Halloween Costumes

Will you see plenty of characters from ‘It’ and ‘Stranger Things’ at your costume party this year? Yes, you will.... READ ON

Jane Austen’s Letter to Sister Up for Auction

“We heard each of the two sharp hasty screams,” the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ author wrote of her niece’s turn in the dentist’s chair.... READ ON

Map of Every UK Royal Family Residence

You know Buckingham Palace and maybe even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Frogmore House, but what about the other 18 estates?... READ ON

Book Fair for Grown-Ups Is Coming

Still chasing the high of the Scholastic Book Fair? This one promises snap bracelets, spin art, books, and more—for adults.... READ ON

Quirky Books for Kids

From a self-conscious sewer monster to a gluttonous dinosaur, this guide has the perfect quirky story for every kid on your holiday gift list.... READ ON

Venomous Puss Caterpillars Have Been Spotted

“It felt like someone was drilling into my bones,” one Florida woman said about the caterpillar sting.... READ ON

World’s Largest Ouija Board Unveiled in Salem

Conduct a seance by standing in the 400-pound planchette and letting the spirits move you across the board.... READ ON

Samsung To Fix Galaxy S10’s Unsecure Fingerprint Reader

In the meantime, you might want to disable the fingerprint lock mechanism and use a trusty number code instead.... READ ON

America’s Worst Driving Cities

Based on accidents, DUIs, and many speeding tickets, Portland, Oregon, boasts more bad drivers than your hometown.... READ ON

Things We No Longer See In Schools

From book straps to dunce caps, these obsolete items may make you feel really young … or really old.... READ ON

Harry Potter Subscription Wizarding World Gold Is Here

With a magical journal, collectible pins, and more, this is the perfect Harry Potter gift for every Potterhead.... READ ON

Travel Company Wants to Pay for Your Greek Vacation

If your dream vacation includes sunset sailing in Santorini and a private tour of the Acropolis, this job is for you.... READ ON

Frank Pepe’s Pizza Tomatoes Sold In Cans

Take your homemade pizza to the next level with Naples tomatoes hand-selected by Frank Pepe’s grandsons.... READ ON

Budget eight minutes into your schedule to watch this informative video of tips, tricks, and history about budgets.... READ ON

A Trick for Remembering Names

This life hack will save you from forgetting a person’s name immediately after they introduce themselves.... READ ON

'The Morning Show' TV Show Facts

Everything you need to know about the upcoming Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.... READ ON

The Safest Way to Ride an Escalator

Want to avoid an escalator accident? Forget everything you know about proper escalator rules of the road (and try to ignore the withering stares of your fellow commuters).... READ ON

'The Crown' Season 3 Details

Everything you need to know about Netflix’s upcoming third season of ‘The Crown,’ starring Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies.... READ ON

'A Quiet Place: Part II' Movie Details

John Krasinski is writing and directing the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed 2018 film ‘A Quiet Place.’... READ ON

'The Lord of the Rings' TV Series Details

The highly anticipated prequel series from Amazon Studios will likely cover the rise of Sauron, the fall of Númenor, and more.... READ ON

Quid Pro Quo's Nefarious Origin

The “tit for tat” synonym doesn’t necessarily have a negative connotation, but it definitely used to.... READ ON

Hallmark Channel’s ‘Christmas Con’ Is Coming

Fans of Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, ugly Christmas sweaters, or Chad Michael Murray: This is for you.... READ ON

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