Mental Floss

BUSINESS

Just try not to get the bottoms all wet.

When were JNCO jeans popular and how did they come to be? Discover more about the history of these ultra wide-legged pants and why they were created in the first place.

Jake Rossen






Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

After Ralph Anspach created an anti-monopoly game, he ended up in the middle of a controversial patent case with Parker Brothers over the history of ‘Monopoly’ itself.

David W Brown
















(It might have something to do with sick days.)

The day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, has a rather sinister label: Black Friday. How did that happen?

Jake Rossen


Black Friday means shopping deals galore.

It’s the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, but where did this tradition start? And just how big is it?

Ethan Trex
Some stores are refusing to let Black Friday overshadow Thanksgiving.

Don’t leave your Thanksgiving grocery shopping to the last minute this year. Aldi, Publix, and Trader Joe’s are among the businesses giving employees the day off on the fourth Thursday in November.

Alvin Ward