%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Harry Houdini
fter realizing that there are a lot of taphophiles (cemetery and/or tombstone enthusiasts) out there, I’m finally putting my photo library of interesting tombstones to good use.
From The Archive
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The Unique Quirks of 6 Writers and Artists
Everybody has a quirk or two—and that number goes way up for those in creative fields. Here are six writers and artists whose strange habits fueled their work.
Our Favorite Stories From 20 Years of Mental Floss
Mental Floss has covered a lot of ground in its 20 years, and produced so many incredible stories that it would be impossible to mention them all—but here are a few of our favorites.
Mental Floss: Our 35 Favorite Stories of 2020
Though it feels a little bit like choosing a favorite child, of the thousands of stories Mental Floss publishes in any year, our staffers are bound to have some particular favorites. Here are some of 2020's (Bay Boy included).
100 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate In 2020
While everybody else is celebrating New Year's Day, you can celebrate National Hangover Day (or celebrate not celebrating it) or any one of these 99 other offbeat holidays throughout the year.
The 5 Best Financial Gifts You Can Give Yourself This Holiday Season
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7 People You Shouldn’t Forget to Buy Holiday Gifts for This Year
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10 Holiday Gifts You Should Always Buy Online Instead of in Stores
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7 Unique Ways to Spend New Year’s Eve 2019
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10 Online Holiday Shopping Hacks That Will Save You Big
Check out these incredible shopping hacks to find out how to buy your gifts online without breaking the bank.
25 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in December
Whether you're a holiday fanatic who wants even more reason to celebrate the month or a Scrooge with a burning desire to buck tradition, we've got plenty of offbeat observances to put on your December calendar.
13 Helpful Apps to Take the Stress Out of the Holiday Season
Between the shopping, traveling, and cooking, there’s a never-ending list of things to do. Luckily, there’s an app to help you with just about anything.
9 French Insults You Should Know
Why call someone an idiot when you can say they're as stupid as a suitcase without a handle? Here's a round-up of French insults you should know.
New Service Lets You Rent a Stranger’s Swimming Pool for an Afternoon
Desperate to take a dip but want to avoid the chaos of the public pool? With Swimply, you can rent an entire backyard swimming pool for $25 to $150 an hour.
35 Offbeat Holidays You Can Celebrate in August
Many of August's quirky holidays revolve around celebrating loved ones and seasonal delights, so grab your family (Fido included) and a bag of marshmallow and let's party.
5 Themed Road Trips You Can Take This Summer
Summer is here, and you know what that means: Hitting the road with a cooler full of sandwiches, the windows rolled down, and a curated playlist turned up to 11.
7 Incredible Day Trips You Can Take From 7 Major Cities
Weekends and holidays can be great opportunities to go someplace new without worrying about booking flights or hotel rooms. Take a look at some epic day trip destinations that are close to major cities, presented by Mental Floss and Discover.
7 Hidden Fees to Look for When Traveling
In the course of making travel arrangements and going through an itinerary, travelers may find themselves getting hit with some unexpected charges.
The Best Time of Year to Visit 5 of America’s Most Popular Destinations
There comes a point where we all need a vacation. But determining exactly where to go—and when to plan your visit—requires a little legwork on your part, particularly if you’re looking to save a few dollars.
9 Car Safety Tips for Kids of Every Age
As drivers, we’re taught from a young age how dangerous cars can be, and the importance of operating them safely. But drivers are also responsible for making sure people in the vehicle—particularly children—are also protected. Take a look at some tips on
Indiana Man Celebrates July 4th By Writing the Declaration of Independence on His Driveway in Chalk
Joe Spangler celebrates every Fourth of July by spending hours writing the Declaration of Independence outside his Indiana home.
7 Ways Artificial Intelligence Can Help Protect Us Against Online Fraud
In the fight to protect our private data from cyberattacks and criminals, an increasing number of businesses are relying on artificial intelligence to identify problems before they start.
6 Common Travel Fraud Tactics and How to Avoid Them
It’s tempting to forget your worries when you’re on vacation, but no matter where in the world you are, you’ll find people trying to separate you from your money. Protect yourself by reading up on these schemes.