Who Said It: John Hodgman or the @mental_floss Twitter Account?

If you pick up the latest mental_floss magazine, you'll find author, humorist, and former professional literary agent John Hodgman staring right at you. In this quiz — an elaborate game of "True or False?" — you have to decide whether the statement is an actual fact that appeared in a @mental_floss tweet or a "fact" that appeared in one of Mr. Hodgman's books.

1 of 10

Michael Jackson’s 1988 autobiography Moonwalk was edited by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

2 of 10

“Silver Bells” was called “Tinkle Bells” until co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife told him “tinkle” had another meaning.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

3 of 10

The mad emperor Caligula was assassinated by his own horse.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

ANSWER: Fake. From p352 of Hodgman's More Information Than You Require, from the "Today in the Past" segment. Hodgman continues, "He was hoof-stabbed--the classic method of equine assassination. Incitatus, the stallion that Caligula had named for a senator, began to plot against his master when Caligula would not make him co-emperor. But the horse's mad plans for power were then foiled by Caligula's own Praetorian Guard, who could not understand Incitatus's whinnying, and so they killed and ate him." Fake. From p352 of Hodgman's More Information Than You Require, from the "Today in the Past" segment. Hodgman continues, "He was hoof-stabbed--the classic method of equine assassination. Incitatus, the stallion that Caligula had named for a senator, began to plot against his master when Caligula would not make him co-emperor. But the horse's mad plans for power were then foiled by Caligula's own Praetorian Guard, who could not understand Incitatus's whinnying, and so they killed and ate him."

4 of 10

In his book, Dick Cheney said his yellow lab, Dave, was banned from Camp David for attacking President Bush’s dog, Barney.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

5 of 10

At an NOAA conference in 1972, Roxcy Bolton proposed naming hurricanes after Senators instead of women. She also preferred "him-i-canes."

Hodgman

@mental_floss

6 of 10

Obsessive nose picking is called rhinotillexomania.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

7 of 10

The word "Philadelphia," from the Greek, literally means "Pennsylvania."

Hodgman

@mental_floss

ANSWER: Fake. "Philadelphia" is derived from the Greek terms for "I love" and "brother," hence its nickname, "City of Brotherly Love." From p186 of Hodgman's the Areas of My Expertise, in a section called "Fast Facts About Phialdelphia." Hodgman continues, "It has the highest number, per capita, of Benjamin Franklin impersonators in the country." Fake. "Philadelphia" is derived from the Greek terms for "I love" and "brother," hence its nickname, "City of Brotherly Love." From p186 of Hodgman's the Areas of My Expertise, in a section called "Fast Facts About Phialdelphia." Hodgman continues, "It has the highest number, per capita, of Benjamin Franklin impersonators in the country."

8 of 10

Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, inventor of the "guillotine," was also its first victim.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

ANSWER: Fake. From p76 of Hodgman's The Areas of My Expertise. Fake. From p76 of Hodgman's The Areas of My Expertise.

9 of 10

Before settling on the Seven Dwarfs we know today, Disney also considered Chesty, Tubby, Burpy, Deafy, Hickey, Wheezy, and Awful.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

10 of 10

For many years, German Christmas trees were dark, or else lit only by natural luminous mosses.

Hodgman

@mental_floss

ANSWER: Fake. From p596 of Hodgman's More Information Than You Require. Hodgman continues, "It was Martin Luther, the great reformer, who suggested draping the dry branches with lighted candles, presumably because he felt the custom was not sufficiently dangerous enough for the thrill-happy Protestants. Usually two or three homes per village were lost this way to flames until candles were replaced by much safer oil lamps and, later, Bunsen burners."

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Fake. From p596 of Hodgman's More Information Than You Require. Hodgman continues, "It was Martin Luther, the great reformer, who suggested draping the dry branches with lighted candles, presumably because he felt the custom was not sufficiently dangerous enough for the thrill-happy Protestants. Usually two or three homes per village were lost this way to flames until candles were replaced by much safer oil lamps and, later, Bunsen burners."

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Who Said It: John Hodgman or the @mental_floss Twitter Account?

Michael Jackson’s 1988 autobiography Moonwalk was edited by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“Silver Bells” was called “Tinkle Bells” until co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife told him “tinkle” had another meaning.

The mad emperor Caligula was assassinated by his own horse.

In his book, Dick Cheney said his yellow lab, Dave, was banned from Camp David for attacking President Bush’s dog, Barney.

At an NOAA conference in 1972, Roxcy Bolton proposed naming hurricanes after Senators instead of women. She also preferred "him-i-canes."

Obsessive nose picking is called rhinotillexomania.

The word "Philadelphia," from the Greek, literally means "Pennsylvania."

Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, inventor of the "guillotine," was also its first victim.

Before settling on the Seven Dwarfs we know today, Disney also considered Chesty, Tubby, Burpy, Deafy, Hickey, Wheezy, and Awful.

For many years, German Christmas trees were dark, or else lit only by natural luminous mosses.

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