Mental Floss

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It’s to be expected that the words we use will change and develop over time. In some instances, these developments can lead to words gaining new meanings entirely different from their original ones.

Paul Anthony Jones




The cutest part of any hospital.

Baby viewing windows were once a staple of hospital maternity wards across the country, but now they feel like a relic from a bygone era. Read on to learn about their history—and the real reasons why they vanished.

Lauren Dana




Hulk Hogan.

Hulk Hogan was one of the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling. Learn more about the man behind Hulkamania with these facts about his life.

Scott Beggs


Amelia Earhart.

Groundbreaking aviator Amelia Earhart, born on July 24, 1897, was a pioneer, a legend, and a mystery. Discover the events that shaped her daring life and puzzling death.

Amanda Green










These episodes were pulled from TV.

Over the years, a number of TV series have removed specific episodes from their rerun schedules. Some eventually return to the airwaves, while others may be serving a lifetime ban.

Kathleen Elise, Austin Thompson


Grab your magnifying glass.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Ellen Gutoskey
No taxation without representation!

Residents of Washington, D.C., have no governor, no voting representation in Congress, and only limited local authority. The reason is simple: D.C. isn’t a state. Let’s break down the history and future of D.C. statehood.

Zoë Randolph