Mental Floss

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Alpaca on the left, llama on the right.

They’re both in the camel family and live in South America, but alpacas and llamas aren’t the same species.

GPS is just one thing in our daily lives originally invented for military use.

From Jeeps to GPS and jerrycans, the military has fostered inventions that we use every day.

'Trivial Pursuit' became a phenomenon.

The ’80s trivia game was turned down by board game giants. It wound up outselling Monopoly.

Memorial Day is a day to remember those lost to war.

Memorial Day arose from the tragedy of the Civil War. It's a time to remember the people who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Space has a starting point, but where it begins is still a topic of debate for experts.

Some experts believe the Kármán Line is the deciding factor, but others aren't in agreement about where the frontier of space really begins.

Salvador Dalí, circa 1960.

Salvador Dalí had a lot of interesting things to say about art, ambitions, and more.

Chocolate chip is old news.

The once-popular flavor isn't on anyone's lips.

U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Do members of Congress get free health insurance? And do they all live in Washington, D.C.? We’re tackling those questions and more in the latest episode of Misconceptions.

The national animals of the U.S.

The bison and bald eagle have been chosen to represent the U.S. Here's why.

An aerial view of the rust-colored Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Thawing permafrost is exposing minerals to weathering, increasing the acidity of the water, which releases metals like iron, zinc and copper.

A new study shows that rusty discoloration in Alaska’s otherwise pristine streams and rivers is likely due to melting permafrost—and that’s a problem for Arctic animals and people.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Karate Action Figures - 1994

Discover the most valuable Power Rangers toys from the 1990s, including the Power Dome play set and a rare White Ranger figure from 1994.

The Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) are ready for their close-up.

Disney+ is every sci-fi lover’s must-have streaming service.

It's not just in your head.

Most beer lovers know that brew is best served cold. Now, there’s scientific evidence to explain why.

Leo (not Ron) Gallagher.

Watermelon-smashing stand-up comic Leo Gallagher thought it would be a good idea to let his brother Ron perform his act. It wasn’t.

Reading comes with some surprising benefits.

Some of the perks that come with picking up a book might surprise you.

Sometimes ice cream isn't ice cream.

There's an ice cream impostor lurking in grocery stores. Here's why it matters.

Spies use slang to keep a lid on things.

Going undercover? Don’t forget your pocket litter, otherwise you might be targeted for some wet work.

Put your knowledge of music and cinematic history to the test.

Here's hoping this one is crisp.

A mushy pickle isn’t always a sign the food has gone bad. Here’s how to tell if your pickles are no longer safe to eat.

Alfred Hitchcock.

“The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder.”

Who doesn’t want to live, laugh, and love?

A 1904 essay contest may be indirectly responsible for what's happened to your grandmother's dining room.

Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish.

Behind the bands Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Hootie & the Blowfish were their less-famous namesakes.

Be careful with that hot button.

The phrase dates back to the 1960s, and has more than one meaning.

From ghosts that eat tofu to an angry Buddha and beyond.