Mental Floss

ALCOHOL





Just a shot in the dark.

One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.

Ellen Gutoskey










On a cruise ship, the name ‘Oscar’ has a very serious meaning.

Whether they’re said over a PA or in a one-on-one conversation, these seemingly innocuous terms are actually codes to alert those in the know that something is up while keeping others in the dark.

Jane Alexander


There are several ways to celebrate the holiday.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they eat corned beef and cabbage? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Mary Beth Skylis
Cheers!

As midnight approaches on December 31, more than a few of us will pop open a bottle or two of champagne to help ring in the New Year. Here are a few nuggets you can share with fellow revelers.

Ethan Trex




Where the ‘nog’ came from is a bit of a mystery.

The ‘egg’ part of ‘eggnog’ is obvious. The ‘nog’ is a little more mysterious—possibly involving noggins and/or grog.

Ellen Gutoskey