Mental Floss

LISTS



Janis Joplin in Columbus, Ohio in the summer of 1970.

Janis Joplin didn’t have a long or prolific career. The freewheeling Texas blues-rock howler recorded just four albums between 1967 and 1970. But in that short time, she left an indelible mark on rock ’n’ roll history.

Kenneth Partridge


Ajwad Creative (Speech Bubble), Martin Poole (kitten) /iStock via Getty Images Plus

It’s time to let the cat out of the bag: English isn’t alone in featuring cats in its idioms. In languages from all over the world, expressions of all kinds are enhanced by the mention of our feline friends.

Laura Nagle






You might associate his name with science fiction, but Ray Bradbury wrote plenty of scary stories that will keep you up at night.

From a homicidal infant to a man who gleefully dismembers his own adolescent daughter, these Ray Bradbury stories are not for the faint of heart.

April Snellings


Piranhas are a crowd favorite in aquariums.

After sharks, piranhas are one of the world’s most misunderstood fish. They have a reputation for ferocity that's not quite deserved.

Mark Mancini












Christian Petersen/Getty Images

With the 'Crash Bandicoot' series celebrating its 25th anniversary this September, we're looking back at some of the series's unused ideas and early marketing efforts.

Paul Cecchini
A 2018 Kidz Bop performance in New York City.

Unfortunately, there’s no official Kidz Bop version of “WAP.” But there’s no shortage of other comical covers to amuse yourself with.

Ellen Gutoskey
dragana991/iStock via Getty Images

Not everyone is buried six feet under the verdant grass of a cemetery. Some choose to spend eternity at the bottom of the ocean or the top of a high rise.

Allison C Meier