![Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris. Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7416,h_4171,x_0,y_500/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j3qr6839mpkspqexke.jpg)
![Matt Soniak Matt Soniak](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_180,ar_1:1,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01fw71t9gkrfxw5h6tc0.jpg)
Matt Soniak
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Matt writes about science, history, etymology and Bruce Springsteen for both the website and the print magazine. His work has also appeared in print and online for Men’s Health, Scientific American, The Atlantic, Philly.com and others. He tweets as @mattsoniak and blogs about animal behavior at mattsoniak.com. He lives in Philadelphia with his girlfriend, two cats and a large collection of bourbon whiskeys.
![Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris. Olympic fans take selfies in front of the iconic rings in Paris.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_7416,h_4171,x_0,y_500/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j3qr6839mpkspqexke.jpg)
![General Tso's chicken General Tso's chicken](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2121,h_1193,x_0,y_128/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01j3g0wrfe79crjctg0a.jpg)
Who Was General Tso, and What Does He Have to Do with Chicken?
![Judge Judy really was a judge for family court. Judge Judy really was a judge for family court.](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/01gy8f9r087d1f9vv8zm.jpg)
What Legal Authority Does Judge Judy Have?
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2121,h_1193,x_0,y_98/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/mentalfloss/01hdgyzw40ye86gv6xmq.jpg)
How One Grieving Father Got Lawn Darts Banned
What's the Difference Between Ketchup and Catsup?
Tomato, tomahto.
Why Do Birds Fly South for the Winter?
Genetics, seasonal changes, and Earth's magnetic field all play a role.
What Does “SOS” Stand For?
You know it's a distress signal, but what does it actually stand for? A lot of people think it's an abbreviation for “save our souls.” (It's not.)
Why Do We Capitalize ‘I’?
Some languages capitalize several of their pronouns. Some don’t capitalize any of them. English just capitalizes ‘I’—but why?
Why Aren’t There B Batteries?
Once upon a time, there used to be B batteries, but they’re not manufactured anymore. Here’s why they disappeared from shelves.
How Big Is the Library of Congress?
The ”world’s largest public library,” the Library of Congress holds more than 160 million items.
Do Sharks Really Not Get Cancer?
As the thinking goes, sharks don’t get cancer, so the pills will keep you from getting it, too. But there’s a problem with that theory.
Where Does the Easter Bunny Come From?
Where did the idea for a rabbit that gives away eggs really come from? Trace the origins of the Easter bunny, from pagan festivals to the influence of 18th century German immigrants in America.
What Does Marijuana Do to Spiders?
According to forest rangers who were led to a hilltop grow site by under-the-influence animals in Italy, deer who’ve consumed marijuana plants are “unusually frisky” and “abnormally high-spirited.” This got us wondering what kind of effect marijuana had o
Why Do We Scream “Geronimo” When Jumping Out of Airplanes?
Uncover why people yell “Geronimo!” when they jump—and what it has to do with a beer-fueled boast.
The Origins of 10 Food Phrases
From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.
How Foxes Might Use Earth's Magnetic Field to Hunt Prey
Foxes are highly skilled hunters, which allows them to eat a variety of small animals.