![The first edition of ‘Black Beauty,’ published 1877. The first edition of ‘Black Beauty,’ published 1877.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1919,h_1079,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j3df8tp56fb3edmtv1.jpg)
![Lorna Wallace Lorna Wallace](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_180,ar_1:1,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/LWPhoto-30d9c3e278f99f855e21e7dd7692cfb5.jpg)
Lorna Wallace
Joined: Mar 24, 2022
Lorna Wallace has a Ph.D. in English Literature and is a lover of all things science fiction and horror. She lives in Scotland with her rescue greyhound, Misty.
![The first edition of ‘Black Beauty,’ published 1877. The first edition of ‘Black Beauty,’ published 1877.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1919,h_1079,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j3df8tp56fb3edmtv1.jpg)
![Maybe he’ll get lucky and wake up. Maybe he’ll get lucky and wake up.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1919,h_1079,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j2y999v19khqkx8vsv.jpg)
The Surprising Meaning of ‘It’s Raining, It’s Pouring’
![Porridge wasn't originally on the menu. Porridge wasn't originally on the menu.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3680,h_2070,x_0,y_542/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j2ha94echcx7xe803j.jpg)
The Evolution of ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’
![You’ve likely heard at least one tale that starts with the line. You’ve likely heard at least one tale that starts with the line.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1920,h_1080,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j1qy9n50fhwdvr07z1.jpg)
Why So Many Stories Begin With ‘Once Upon a Time’
10 of History’s Most Misinterpreted Quotes
Quotes like “one bad apple,” “money is the root of all evil,” and “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” have been entirely misinterpreted.
The Pursuit of Happiness: The True Meaning of the Misunderstood Phrase
When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, both 'pursuit' and 'happiness' had secondary definitions that change the meaning of the iconic quote.
The Possibly Royal Origins of the ‘Jack Sprat’ Nursery Rhyme
Although “Jack Sprat” may not be in the nursery rhyme limelight, the two theories behind its meaning—both of which involve royalty—are just as interesting as the origins of better-known rhymes.
How ‘Friend of Dorothy’ Became Code in the Gay Community
In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy carried out a futile search for the “real” Dorothy.
10 Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Works
These theories about The Bard’s works range from the almost believable to the the utterly outlandish.
10 of the Most Valuable Children’s Books
If you have any of these classic kids’ books sitting on your shelf in mint condition, you could make a pretty penny.
“The Rainbow Bridge”: The Emotional—and Once-Lost—History of the Popular Pet Memorial Poem
The poem “The Rainbow Bridge” has long comforted animal lovers who are mourning a pet. But for decades, its author remained a mystery.
Carnival vs. Circus: What’s the Difference?
Although the line between the two is sometimes a little blurred, their origins are actually very distinct.
“Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe”: The Dark Theories—and Racist History—Behind the Childhood Rhyme
Different versions of “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” exist around the world, and there seem to be just as many theories about the rhyme’s potential origin—ranging from shepherds counting sheep to priests selecting sacrificial victims.
When the U.S. Tried to Win World War II with Radioactive Foxes
Allied officials came up with some strange strategies to win World War II. Operation Fantasia planned to use glow-in-the-dark foxes to spook Japanese forces into defeat.
Why Is the Unicorn Scotland’s National Animal?
Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn. The reason isn’t because Scotland is a nation of unicorn lovers; rather, it’s thanks to the country’s bygone kings.
Who Even Is Mother Goose?
Many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. But was Mother Goose even a real person?