Mental Floss

CHRISTMAS



Marten Bjork, Unsplash

Sugar plums didn't originally contain plums, and their name once doubled as a not-so-sweet euphemism.

Michele Debczak














Amazon

Don't know what to get dear ol' dad this holiday season? We've got ideas for every personality and budget.

Mark Mancini
Amazon

We’ve culled the internet to figure out what’s cool these days, and we found 16 items to suit any teen (and any price point).

Hannah McDonald






Romariolen/iStock via Getty Images

On December 23, 1927, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked into a bank and demanded money. Unfortunately, the bank was in Texas, and practically everyone in town was armed. Determining Santa was on the Naughty List, they opened fire.

Jake Rossen


An illustration of an ancient Yule celebration, as seen in the German newspaper Die Gartenlaube in 1880.

The word "yule" gets thrown around a lot during the Christmas season, but what does it even mean? Well, like so many of the holiday's traditions, its origins are a bit complex.

Austin Thompson