Mental Floss

LISTS









An aerial view of part of Manhattan.

For an island of only 24 square miles, Manhattan sure has a lot of neighborhoods. Many have distinct monikers that might not seem intuitive to the lay-tourist, or even to a lifelong New Yorker.

Laura Turner Garrison
A crown couldn't stand between them.

History is full of sweeping love affairs, from Antony and Cleopatra to Catherine the Great and Grigory Potemkin and many more. Discover some of the most passionate here.

mentalfloss .com






A 19th-century illustration of a human heart.

Technically, your heart isn’t made of gold. And don't wear it in on your sleeve—you’ll make a mess. Here are 11 scientific facts about your ticker.

Amanda Green


2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin had a concession speech written up for election night—but wasn’t allowed to deliver it.

For every speech, there are a bunch of versions that ended up on the writers' room floor. Here are 12 speeches that were written but, for a variety of reasons, never delivered.

Lucas Reilly
American Film director Robert Altman.

The seven-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind M*A*S*H and Gosford Park, who would have turned 100 this year, changed how we watch—and hear—movies. He also tattooed Harry S. Truman’s dog.

Jennifer M Wood








Edward Gorey.

‘The Gashlycrumb Tinies’ author was born 100 years ago on February 22—here’s what you need to know about him, from what classic book he found boring to how much he really helped with PBS’s show ‘Mystery!’

Lorna Wallace