

Erin McCarthy
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Erin is the Editor-in-Chief of MentalFloss.com, host of The List Show and Throwback on YouTube, editor of Mental Floss's book The Curious Reader, and the creator, executive producer, and host of the History Vs. podcast. She joined Mental Floss in 2012. Previously, she covered everything from natural disasters to bridge engineering to the science behind sci-fi movies for Popular Mechanics magazine. Her work has appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine, Town and Country, Parents, and Esquire. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her karaoking, reading, or hanging out with her cats, Oliver and Pearl. She lives in New York.


20 Fascinating Facts About ‘Underworld’

10 Facts About Guinea Worm Disease

How Chuck Jones Animated the Mongoose in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
19 Fascinating Facts About ‘The Crow’
Alex Proyas's 'The Crow' was marred by tragedy when its star, Brandon Lee, was killed in an on-set accident just days before filming wrapped.
77 Delightful Victorian Slang Terms You Should Be Using
We don’t know how these Victorian slang terms ever fell out of fashion, but we propose bringing them back, as soon as possible.
What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?
In the U.S., the terms ‘bison’ and ‘buffalo’ are used interchangeably—but they’re actually two different animals. Here’s how to tell them apart.
The Origins of 13 Mythical Creatures
Unicorns, mermaids, vampires, and leprechauns are some of the most widely known mythical creatures, but where did these legendary beings come from?
11 Ways School Was Different in the 1800s
After Labor Day, most kids in the United States will be back to hitting the books, and they’re probably not thrilled about it.
11 Fascinating Facts About the Frilled Shark
The eel-like shark is rarely seen by humans, but one was just found off the coast of Portugal.
20 Weird Words for Bodily Ailments
Need a better word to describe what ails you? Look no further than this list of old, unusual ways to describe your aches, pains, and whatever else is happening in your body.
The Reason Why Manhole Covers Are Round
There are a few reasons why manhole covers around round. Here's how to answer if it ever comes up.
The Original Version of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was not happy about some of the edits made to his draft. Here's what didn't make the final cut.
7 Tips for Better Barbecue, According to a BBQ Master
We asked Myron Mixon—a.k.a. the winningest man in barbeque—for some tips to help you nail it this barbecue season.
8 Tips for Beating a Claw Machine
Successfully extricating a prize from a claw machine takes skills. Here are a few tips from claw machine experts.
12 Facts About the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Brown marmorated stink bugs first popped up in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s—and now, they can invade your home by the thousands.