Mental Floss

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Moviegoers were donning these glasses to take in a 3D film way before you thought they were.

Discover the intriguing origins of everything from Oreos to Juicy Fruit gum to sparkling water, exploring their hidden histories and unexpected beginnings, from vaudeville fads to accidental inventions.

Ellen Gutoskey






Ka-ching!

Explore the colorful world of slang terms for money, from ‘bacon’ to ‘moolah’ and beyond.

Mark Peters
George Miller at the premiere of "Three Thousand Years Of Longing"

Even after the success of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'Happy Feet' remains George Miller's biggest hit.

Michele Debczak
The origin of ‘a piece of cake’ comes from actual cake.

From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.

Matt Soniak






Texas longhorns in a grassy field.

Norway may not seem to have much in common with Texas, but when Norwegians want to express how wild and outrageous something is, they go straight for this state-based euphemism.

Kristin Fawcett




Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the trailblazers who fought for equality and forever changed the world for the better.

Find out everything you need to know about the origins of Women's History Month, including how it went from a daylong celebration born from a socialist idea to a monthlong institution in the United States.

Zoë Randolph






Dog and pony shows were once all the rage.

When people talk about a dog and pony show today, they usually mean a flashy presentation or event that's all about appearances, with little real substance. But where does this phrase come from, and what's its history?

Anne Taylor