Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS

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Today, people around the globe will feel uneasy about getting out of bed, leaving their homes, or going about their normal daily routines, all because of a superstition.

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It doesn't always mean you're anxious.

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Before the 20th century, concert musicians might tune their instruments to wildly different pitches, depending on where they were playing.

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One technological breakthrough left the common pencil in the dust.

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Most of us just know to light the fuse and stand back.

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There's a lot going on under the felt.

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Everything you know is a lie.

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At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is wait 30 minutes to pour a fresh glass of wine.

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At the end of a long day, the last thing you want to do is wait 30 minutes to pour a fresh glass of wine.

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You can thank two Californian cardiologists from the 1950s.

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Here's what the "play bow" really means.

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And why do they have to be so loud?

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According to the U.S. Flag Code, you shouldn’t let the flag touch the ground or hang it upside-down. While there’s no express prohibition about reversing the image, it’s probably a safe bet you shouldn’t do that, either.

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Don't blame the government if you're unhappy with a speed limit—blame your fellow drivers.

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It starts in the brain.

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The name may seem like a perfect fit for the eye-catching accessory, but it used to describe a much different type of headgear.

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They didn't get that name by accident.

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It's not going to put a dent in that down payment.

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... and your other burning, pencil-related questions answered.

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The City That Never Sleeps has lots of nicknames, but this one might be the most ubiquitous.

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Getting on the guest list for any royal affair is no easy feat, but this list is even more exclusive than most.

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There would be no royal wedding this month without an important statement from Queen Elizabeth.

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You bet they do!

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Of course, the answer is of course.