Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS











How loud a fart is depends on a couple of factors.

Farts can make a lot of different noises. Some are high and squeaky, while others explode like a car backfiring—and some don’t make any noise at all.

Autumn Spanne






How did ‘Scrabble’'s makers decide how many points each letter was worth? It started with an unemployed architect during the Great Depression, and it has stayed the same ever since.

Ellen Gutoskey


The Wilhelm Scream sound effect has been heard in everything from 'Star Wars' to 'Avatar.' But why do so many filmmakers use it?

Sean Hutchinson






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