Mental Floss

LISTS

Plagiarism is a bad idea in any setting, but some of history’s most vaunted writers have been caught stealing.

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In Gen X parlance, this dude totally rocks.

From yuppie to headbanger, we have Generation X to thank for these terms that became popular in the 1980s and ’90s.

Michele Debczak


A moose in Maine.

Explore some big facts about moose, from their antler combat to the mystery behind their declining populations.

Rebecca OConnell
Is the call really coming from inside the house?

From what inspired Candyman and the Mothman to the tales about alligators in the sewers and killers calling from inside the house, we're breaking down the origins of popular urban legends.

Jake Rossen
The birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas influenced the timing of Black History Month.

We celebrate Black History Month every February to recognize the amazing impact African American people have had on our culture. Read on for more about this tradition's origins.

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Churchill knew how to tackle those midday slumps.

Did you know that famous figures like Thomas Edison and Salvador Dalí were avid nappers? Learn more about their unique napping habits and the benefits they experienced here.

Matt Hoffman




Many of these mysteries continue to endure.

From a book no one can decipher and puzzling disappearances to unsolved crimes and beyond, many of these historical mysteries still have us scratching our heads.

April Snellings