Mental Floss

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The teddy bear has a very specific origin story.

The origins of the teddy bear involve President Theodore Roosevelt, a bear hunt, a political cartoon, and the owner of a candy shop in New York.

Erin McCarthy






Not all regions with a food-inspired name are represented on the map.

You’ve heard of New England, the Midwest, and the Pacific Northwest. But the United States has several more interesting regions, including the Pierogi Pocket, the Borscht Belt, the Pretzel Belt, and more.

Alexia Kontolemos






Blowing gray bubbles just wouldn’t feel as fun.

We uncover why bubblegum is traditionally pink—and also explore what flavor bubblegum even is.

Sam Hindman


How many Americans celebrate the three-day weekend.

Americans celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September—which means Labor Day falls on Monday, September 2, in 2024.

Hannah McDonald
”Egg on my face.”

This episode of The List Show is all about why we say what we say—from the poem that gave us ‘albatross around your neck’ to the hands that gave us ‘hands down.’

Bethel Afful