From The Archive

10 Fun Things to Do in Montreal

In May, I took a trip over the border to visit our neighbors up north in Montreal, where the people are bilingual and every Starbucks is "Cafe Starbucks." Here are a few things I did—and you should do them, too, if you ever find yourself there.

Why Do Canadian Contestants Have to Answer a Skill-Testing Question?

Why do those living above the 49th parallel have to jump through hoops to win a prize?

Argle Bargle: 5 Meanings of Word Reduplication

In his angry dissent to the court's decision on the Defense of Marriage Act on Wednesday, Justice Scalia conveyed a specific kind of derision through his use of several colloquial expressions. The most noticeable of these expressions was "argle bargle," w

6 Stories of Junk-Food Obsessions

The teen who ate nothing but packaged ramen, the man addicted to Big Macs, and more.

Trailer Thursday: The Heat and White House Down

Welcome to Trailer Thursday, where we help you decide what to do with your Friday night (and when to stay home). Here’s what’s coming out tomorrow.

Why is Y Sometimes a Vowel?

A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y. Why is that?

Talk Like a Founding Father This Fourth of July

5 Abandoned Stations of the London Underground

London’s Underground subway network is celebrating its 150th year of operation this year, but as with any old institution there are a few skeletons in its closet.

Who Invented the Little Black Dress?

The “little black dress,” quintessential staple of any woman’s wardrobe, isn’t as timeless as most people think.

The Mystery of Ann Bassett and Etta Place

6 Actors Who Took Their Roles Off-Screen

Not all actors are reluctant to reprise famous performances for smaller audiences. Here are six who inhabited signature roles without film cameras rolling.

8 Disney Sequels That Didn't Happen

Here are eight films that you'll (thankfully) never have to sit through.

"My phone keeps dropping calls. What can I do?"

DEAR A.J., My cell phone keeps dropping calls in midtown New York. This isn’t Siberia; it’s the heart of a major metropolis. I’ve switched devices and providers with no improvement. What can I do?

7 Other Crafty Zoo Escapes

Earlier today the National Zoo asked for help locating Rusty, a red panda who'd gone missing. "If you do see Rusty," the Zoo tweeted, "don’t try to approach him. Stay where you can safely keep an eye on him and alert the Zoo (202.633.4888) immediately." A

Why Would Ecuador Appeal to Edward Snowden?

On Sunday it was reported that Edward Snowden, the whistleblower and former National Security Agency contractor, would seek asylum in Ecuador.

10 Questions Still Baffling Scientists

Here’s what we don’t know and how close we are to figuring it out.

Trailer Thursday: Zombies and Monsters!

A.J. Jacobs Can Solve All Your Modern Problems

Modern life is filled with annoyances and hurt, but compared to yesteryear, most of us live in an earthly paradise.

13 Screwball Film Industry Slang Terms

Having served as a camera operator on over 100 films, Dave Knox knows a thing or two about the wacky slang used by movie industry insiders. Here are a few.

6 Superman Movies that Didn't Get Made

7 Jobs Your Inner Child Would Love

Growing up often means prioritizing work over fun stuff. Unless, of course, your job involves nothing but fun stuff.

15 Weird Sample Dialogues from Old English Textbooks

These passages from old English textbooks aren't wrong—but they don't sound quite right, either.

Super Badass Pocket Protectors

Welcome to our new series Floss:Handmade, where we showcase creative products we've added to the mental_floss store and the people who make them.

New in the Store: NE-RD Bookends!

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