Mental Floss

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Passengers aren’t always referred to as passengers.

Hearing the phrase ‘souls on board’ usually portends bad news. Why do we use it?

History in the Making! Critically Endangered Galapagos Tortoises Hatch at Philadelphia Zoo!

A nearly century-old Galápagos tortoise welcomed four babies recently, boosting a critically endangered population.

Catch Pikachu and many more Pokémon in the new browser game.

A fun new Easter egg lets you collect Pokémon through your browser.

Where do your groceries come from?

If you’re wondering how tariffs might affect your grocery bill, use this interactive to trace the origins of your food.

A mounted police officer in New York City.

Police horses, though they may seem outdated, actually serve several important purposes.

U.S. troops in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War was a highly controversial conflict. We break down some of the most common questions about the war, from why the U.S. entered the conflict to who ultimately won.

Not quite a Brundlefly, but still too close for comfort.

Learn more about how common house flies eat (and poop), plus what’s really going on when one of them ends up in your dinner.

Jeff Goldblum in ‘The Fly.’

In this 1986 film (a remake of a movie from 1958), director David Cronenberg ensured that you’d never look at Jeff Goldblum—or a housefly—the same way again.

Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in Pride & Prejudice (2005).

Wear your best gown to the Pride & Prejudice 20th Anniversary Ball in Pasadena.

A rare Ronald McDonald sighting.

The McDonald’s mascot has been keeping a low profile for years. Some people think they know why.

A cornerstone of most spring cleaning routines.

Discover everything you need to know about cleaning windows, from when and how often you should be doing it to how to get the best streak-free results.

Artists can live a colorful life in these states.

These are the top U.S. states for artists based on art access, finances, and education.

There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a wash routine that‘s best for you.

Find out how factors like age, hair type, and lifestyle influence your ideal shampoo routine.

Here‘s a scenic view of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch glacier in Switzerland.

These underrated World Heritage Sites offer history, beauty, and adventure away from the crowds.

Can you figure it out?

This riddle dates back to 1806—can you figure out the answer?

Pickles aren’t exactly bird food.

Vlasic has used a stork to market its pickles for decades. But how did a bird known for bringing babies suddenly start selling pickles?

Buckle up.

Anyone worried about aviation safety should strap in. Literally.

Real estate terminology can get confusing.

Real estate has a language all its own. We’ve simplified it for you.

Are you a pickle person?

The pickle menu was originally conceived as an April Fool’s joke, but now it’s very real.

A mom introduced a way to keep kids busy during flights—and it involves tape.

Find out how a simple roll of tape can keep kids busy on flights.

Crouching isn’t going to do a whole lot for you in a thunderstorm.

Guidance on kneeling when lightning strikes is well-intentioned, but it’s actually not the best course of action.

The Nintendo 64 defined many people’s childhoods.

For some people, video games were a pleasant way to pass the time in the 1990s. For others, they were a cultural crisis.

A crayfish and a lobster facing off

Sometimes, wars end when someone’s kettle gets broken.

Buyer beware.

Shopping secondhand? Learn how to avoid common pests like bed bugs and clothes moths during your next thrift store haul.