Mental Floss

FASHION

This scene depicts several Christmas traditions with long histories.

From expecting Santa to fill socks with gifts to eating cake that looks like tree bark, some holiday traditions are downright odd. But we can explain!

Stacy Conradt








How many Americans celebrate the three-day weekend.

Americans celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September—which means Labor Day falls on Monday, September 2, in 2024.

Hannah McDonald
Next time, do yourself a favor and throw on a pair before you hop in the shower.

The German national soccer team was looking for shoes to wear in the shower to prevent athlete’s foot. Adidas founder Adi Dassler offered an innovative solution: shower shoes.

Chason Gordon






Put your tired old soles to rest.

Squeaky shoes can happen for a number of reasons, including friction and moisture. But whether they fart or squeak, here are a few things you can do about that noisy footwear.

Chason Gordon


iStock

Thanks to binding her ribs in tight corsets, Guinness World Record holder Cathie Jung has a waist that is the same circumference as a jar of mayonnaise.

Jordan Rosenfeld
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








The pattern is named after the European dance craze, but what exactly the dots have to do with polka is a bit of a mystery.

Shaunacy Ferro