Mental Floss

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It had a little something to do with syphilis.

For nearly two centuries, powdered wigs—called perukes—were all the rage. The chic hairpiece would have never become popular, however, if it hadn't been for a venereal disease, a pair of self-conscious kings, and poor hair hygiene.

Lucas Reilly












The RMS 'Titanic'

The 'Titanic' sinking became the most infamous shipwreck in history—but what really happened on that unusually calm night in the North Atlantic?

Kat Long




Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran rocks a mull—er, bi-level haircut.

Whether you lived through the ‘80s or merely have absorbed some details via 'Stranger Things,' take a look at some of the myths surrounding the "me decade."

Jake Rossen






The phrase '86' may have originated in restaurants.

There are a few schools of thought. Some have more legs than others—such as those of the restaurant industry—but to this day, there is still no official etymology. Here are a few possibilities.

Will McGough