# Mental Floss

> Founded in a Duke University dorm room in 2001, Mental Floss exists to answer life’s big questions, uncover fascinating facts, and surface stories so compelling that readers can’t help but share them. We empower the curious by making knowledge feel surprising and delightful.

Mental Floss has won four Webby Awards (including a People’s Choice Webby in 2020), been nominated for an ASME award, and published 15 books, five board games, and a fact-of-the-day calendar. 

We reach millions of users per month across our site, social media accounts, and popular YouTube channel.

## About
- [About Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/about-us): About Mental Floss and our mission
- [Contact Us](https://www.mentalfloss.com/contact-us): Contact Mental Floss

## Content Sections
- [Amazing Facts](https://www.mentalfloss.com/amazingfactgenerator): Fascinating facts about the world
- [Big Questions](https://www.mentalfloss.com/section/big-questions): Answers to life's big questions
- [Entertainment](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment): Entertainment trivia and features
- [Geography](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography): Geography and travel features
- [History](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history): Historical facts and stories
- [Holidays](https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays): Holiday history and traditions
- [Language](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language): Words, slang, and language facts
- [Quizzes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes): Trivia quizzes and brain teasers

## Latest Articles


[4 Ways Ancient Greece Is Misrepresented in Movies](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/misconceptions/ancient-greece-misrepresentations-movies): Most of our ideas of what ancient Greece was like come from Hollywood's misrepresentations.
[Quiz: Can You Name the ‘80s Movie By One Side Character?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-80s-movie-one-side-character): The 1980s brought some of the best characters. While you know the leads well, how much do you remember the  side characters? We have a quiz that will put your memory to the test.
[7 Coming-Of-Age Movies That Perfectly Capture Summer Break](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/coming-of-age-movies-summer-break): From summer camp to summer jobs, these seven movies depict what it was like to be a teenager.
[The Mythological Creatures in the ‘Odyssey,’ Explained](https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/mythological-creatures-odyssey-explained): The Odyssey is set in a world of Gods and monsters. Learn about the mythical figures and creatures who threaten and tempt Odysseus on his journey home.
[The Most Popular Candy in Every State, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/most-popular-candy-by-state-map): Which candy reigns supreme where you live? See the most popular candy in every U.S. state, according to Google Trends data.
[All 14 Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/christopher-nolan-movies-ranked-by-rotten-tomatoes): From 'The Odyssey' to 'The Dark Knight Rises,' Christopher Nolan's movies are well-loved on Rotten Tomatoes—though many of them do receive similar critiques.
[How Long Would It Really Take to Sail Odysseus' Route Today?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/how-long-it-would-take-sail-odysseus-route): It took Odysseus more than a decade to return to his native Ithaca from Troy in the ‘Odyssey.’ Nowadays, the journey can be completed a lot more quickly.
[Quiz: Can You Match the Sitcom Character to Their Job?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/match-sitcom-character-job): Sitcom characters tend to have distinct jobs. Just how well do you remember them all? We have a quiz just for that!
[The 2,000-Year-Old+ Story Behind the Word "Odyssey"](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/words/2-000-year-old-story-behind-word-odyssey): The word traces back more than 2,700 years to the adventures of the hero Odysseus.
[Was Odysseus in the ‘Odyssey’ Based on a Real Person?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/was-odysseus-real): While the events of the epic poem cannot be verified, much of its content corresponds with historical and archaeological evidence.
[The 4 Best Places to Order Steak in America, According to Guy Fieri](https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/restaurants/best-places-order-steak-america-guy-fieri): Whether you're craving a classic steak sandwich or a steak pizza made with cola-infused dough, these are Guy Fieri's go-to destinations for real-deal steak dishes.
[5-Letter Words Ending in 'A' to Help You Improve Your Wordle Skills](https://www.mentalfloss.com/fun/games/5-letter-words-ending-in-a): Improve your Wordle skills with a list of five-letter words ending in A, including common and lesser-known options.
[Quiz: Can You Name All the Countries That Start With 'A'? It's Surprisingly Hard](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/geography/name-countries-starting-with-a): There are 11 countries in the world that start with the letter 'A.' How many can you name? Test your geography knowledge with this quiz, then read more about all 11 countries.
[Why Do We Say “On the Fence”?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/why-do-we-say-on-the-fence): The phrase was first used back in 1828.
[8 Summer Blockbusters From the 1990s That Still Hold Up](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/summer-blockbusters-90s-still-hold-up): These eight blockbuster movies remain some of the decade's most rewatchable films.
[What Are Peptides? The Viral Health Trend, Explained](https://www.mentalfloss.com/live-smarter/what-are-peptides): Here's the truth behind the peptide craze—including what peptides actually are and whether they are safe to use.
[Did Homer Really Exist? The Mystery Historians Still Debate](https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/did-homer-exist-mystery-historians-debate): Scholars have debated for centuries whether the legendary poet was a real person, a collective of storytellers, or a literary invention.
[10 Greek Mythology Words You Use Every Day](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/words/everyday-greek-mythology-words): These common English words—including "siren," "echo," and "narcissism"—all have roots in ancient Greek mythology.
[4 Forgotten Frontier Towns Most People Have Never Heard Of ](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/forgotten-frontier-towns-most-people-never-heard-of): You might have flown over or driven near these landmarks without realizing their history.
[Quiz: Can You Name the ‘80s Movie From the Fictional Town?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-80s-movie-fictional-town): You can name a movie from the character names, but what about the fictional towns? We're putting your '80s movie knowledge to the test with our latest quiz.
[5 Epic Facts About Homer’s ‘Odyssey’](https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/facts-about-homers-odyssey): From the lost sequel to the poem's oral roots, here are five things you might not know about the origins and mystique surrounding Homer's epic poem, the 'Odyssey.'
[Every State's Favorite Type of Pizza, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/every-states-favorite-pizza-type-map): Pepperoni, supreme, or meat lover’s? See which pizza topping dominates every state in this breakdown of America’s favorite pie styles.
[Every ‘Toy Story’ Movie Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/every-toy-story-movie-ranked-rotten-tomatoes): Rotten Tomatoes has ranked each 'Toy Story' movie. See which of them made the top spot and which came last.
[5 Strange Frontier Superstitions American Settlers Once Believed](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/misconceptions/strange-frontier-superstitions-american-settlers-once-believed): Life on the American frontier was filled with dangers, and many settlers relied on strange beliefs to make sense of them.
[7 Facts About The Criterion Collection](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/facts-criterion-collection): The home video company has been restoring films since the ‘80s.
[Was the Trojan Horse Real? What Historians Actually Think](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/was-trojan-horse-real-greek-mythology): The legendary city of Troy really existed, and the tale of the Trojan Horse might not have been the stuff of epic poetry.
[Quiz: Think You're a TV Expert? Name the Show From the School](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-show-school): Love TV so much that you can name every character? What about the school? How well do you know TV shows from the decades?
[Every State’s Average Tipping Percentage, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geograpy/maps/every-state-average-tip-percentage): Not every state is as generous as the other when it comes to tipping at restaurants.
[The Spiritual Meaning of Your Right Ear Ringing, Explained](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/spiritual-meaning-right-ear-ringing): Ever wonder why your right ear is ringing? Explore the fascinating spiritual history, cultural omens, and the medical reality behind this mysterious sensation.
[The Two Dolly Parton Classics She Wrote on the Same Day](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/dolly-parton-classics-written-same-day): Parton wrote "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" on one particularly "good writing day"—or at least, in the span of a few very good writing days.
[6 Adaptations of the 'Odyssey,' Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/odyssey-adaptations-ranked-rotten-tomatoes): From experimental reinterpretations of 'The Odyssey' like 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' to relatively faithful takes, these are the best 'Odyssey' adaptations, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes scores.
[Quiz: How Fast Can You Name the Sitcom From the Family Pet?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-sitcom-family-pet): Pets have a special place in our hearts, and they also become our favorite characters on TV shows. How well do you know them? Can you name the sitcom based on the family pet?
[7 Fascinating Italian Jobs You Didn’t Know Still Exist](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/fascinating-italian-jobs-didn-t-know-still-exist): From centuries-old crafts to surprisingly niche professions, these jobs reveal a side of Italy most travelers never see.
[8 Words From 'Little House on the Prairie' You Don't Hear Anymore](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/tv/little-house-on-the-prairie-words-explained): From 'flutterbudget' to 'sadiron', we’re decoding eight words from the new "Little House on the Prairie" series that have vanished from modern English.
[7 Real Medical Practices Used by Frontier Families](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/real-medical-practices-used-by-frontier-families): From quinine to amputation, medicine on the prairie could be brutal.
[The Queen Ballad Freddie Mercury Wrote About His Favorite Cat](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/queen-song-freddie-mercury-cat): It’s hard not to get emotional learning about a love for an animal. Listen to the song “Delilah” here.
[The Best Road Trip Trivia Questions to Test Your Knowledge](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/best-road-trip-trivia-questions-test-your-knowledge): From general knowledge to fun facts, these trivia questions are sure to make every mile more entertaining! 
[The Most Searched Word Definitions in Every U.S. State](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/words/most-searched-word-definitions-by-state): From "gaslighting" and "love" to "fascism" and "empathy," these are the words people are most curious about in every U.S. state, according to Google search data.

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