Mental Floss

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This giraffe was a gift to King Charles X.

Exotic beasts functioned as both diplomatic envoys and as symbols of a monarchy’s far reaching influence.

Find out which languages people in the U.S. care about learning the most.

Thinking about learning a new language? Here‘s a look at the most popular choices in the U.S. right now.

Still from ‘Picnic At Hanging Rock.’

Peter Weir’s Australian New Wave classic turns 50 this year. Here’s what you need to know about the film, from the off-limits question Weir asked book author Joan Lindsay to the spooky stuff that happened on set.

Spicy favorites across the states.

Find out which brands have states fired up this year.

The grandmother of music players.

No, the Grammys weren’t christened to honor someone’s grandmother.

A variety of old-timey strawberry desserts ripe for Valentine's Day.

From love cake to candied violets, these old-fashioned Valentine's Day sweets rival any prepackaged box of chocolates.

Can you decipher this twisted tune?

It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

Alan Smithee has gotten a lot of work over the years. Too bad he doesn’t actually exist.

Dennis Hopper, David O. Russell, and Noah Baumbach have all distanced themselves from career nadirs by crediting someone else entirely.

Astronauts face lots of challenges, including what to do with dirty underwear.

Tossing stinky socks in a washer isn’t really an option once you leave Earth.

Which food is the top pick in your state?

Buffalo chicken dip is a classic for a reason.

This winged being is the Archangel Raphael, not Cupid.

St. Valentine may get the romantic holiday, but he isn’t the only religious figure linked to love.

The Budweiser Clydesdales at a Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs game in 2019.

The horses are an iconic feature in many Super Bowl commercials.

On January 30, 1925, Kentucky cave explorer Floyd Collins went underground—and didn’t come out. The epic effort to rescue him gripped national headlines and transformed into a battle between heroism and folly, selflessness and selfishness, life and death.

Not all states have equal opportunities for new businesses. WalletHub’s 2025 rankings show the top 10 states to kickstart your adventure.

Dream of running your own business? Learn which states offer the best chances for success.

Who could be afraid of this cute kitty?

See if you can spot the names of these common (and not so common) terms for animal apprehension.

We can confirm this suit is pretty ugly.

We cannot confirm nor deny we have an explanation.

Jurassic Park With SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE Raptors [Animation] Part 1

Contrary to what that kid told Sam Neill in Jurassic Park, an overgrown turkey is still terrifying.

Dog whistles can make training easier.

The ultrasonic training instruments are easy to use. But there’s a dark history behind their inventor—and their initial purpose.

You can start by turning the thermometer down.

These money-saving tips can help renters and homeowners manage high heating bills all season long.

Some mushroom coral species can move.

Witness a mushroom coral on the move.

Mushroom Playing Keyboard

Discover how Bionic and the Wires are turning fungi into electronic musicians.

Ken Jennings.

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

Don’t cry, Erin.

Nickname-names like Ellie and Liam are in. Millennial and royal names are out. (Sorry Erin and William.)

Handwritten love letters are underrated.

“Dear Miss Saucy ... I hereby order you to give me as many kisses and as many hours of your company as I shall please to demand.”