Mental Floss

LISTS

Only about 0.02 percent of the words in a dictionary start with the letter 'X.' Here are 40 of those rarities.

Paul Anthony Jones
James Joyce.

Making up words is a common internet pastime, but James Joyce was way ahead of the curve in this area. Discover 13 of the most fascinating words coined by the famed Irish author.

Mark Peters




While most of the conspiracy theories surrounding the organization are, to put it mildly, bizarre, you don’t have to venture to the fringe to find fascinating, sometimes-strange stories about Freemasons. Here's what you should know.

April Snellings




Wuthering Heights—Emily Brontë’s only novel—shocked readers when it came out. Today, the story about the lovers on the English moor is so well known, it’s iconic. Here's what you should know.

Joy Lanzendorfer

Virtually every artist dreams of making an impact with their work, and writers are no different—but in some cases, authors don’t live to see their works become classics.

Anastasia Rose Hyden


Stephen King is one of the biggest names in publishing.

Stephen King once opened the doors to his Bangor, Maine, home to Halloween trick-or-treaters in the 1980s. More than 1000 people showed up.

Jake Rossen


Mark Twain, Mariah Carey, Truman Capote, and Elizabeth Taylor are responsible for some of history's most cutting disses.

“Every time I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.” Who said it?

Ellen Gutoskey








Millie Bobby Brown in 'Stranger Things.'

The supernatural drama on 'Stranger Things' is practically endless, which has left plenty of room for wild speculation. Fortunately, fans have been only too happy to oblige—and share their theories online.

Kristin Hunt




These little witches look like they might be running a gum-game.

Tricks aren’t just for kids anymore—nor are trick words! Here are 11 old-timey words for pranks and capers, perfect for when you’re feeling curmudgeonly about Halloween revelers knocking on your door for treats.

Angela Tung