Mental Floss

LISTS

On a cruise ship, the name ‘Oscar’ has a very serious meaning.

Whether they’re said over a PA or in a one-on-one conversation, these seemingly innocuous terms are actually codes to alert those in the know that something is up while keeping others in the dark.

A North American porcupine says hi.

Porcupines might be considered a prickly bunch, but you’ll find they're pretty docile once you get to know them.

Mars rover captures first ever sound of dust devil

Martian dust devils have been intriguing astronomers and climatologists for decades. Here’s some amazing trivia about these red planet whirlwinds.

The Shirelles

Discover these lesser-known but still highly accomplished female musicians that have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, like Ma Rainey and LaVern Baker.

Is that you, Ariel?

Manatees are aquatic animals that live in coastal waters in several places throughout the world.

A young inventor hard at work.

The 5-year-old who created transforming toy trucks was the youngest person to hold a patent.

Bill Paxton in 'Twister' (1996)

These facts about the 1996 blockbuster don't suck.

The Dallol volcano in Ethiopia’s Danakil Desert is one of the most unearthly places on Earth.

From boiling lakes to glowing caves and hidden prehistoric villages, Earth is full of amazing and unexpected places.

These ragdoll kittens know exactly how popular they are.

Your scruffy shelter tabby is every bit as beautiful as these pedigreed cats.

Phil Collins in 1980.

Pop songs get misinterpreted all the time, and we're here to break down the real stories behind your favorite bops, from Nirvana to Bruce Springsteen.

The BBC once pranked the world by declaring that Big Ben’s clock face would be going digital.

From Taco Bell buying the Liberty Bell to the time the BBC convinced its viewers that spaghetti grows on trees, these are some of the most iconic pranks in history.

‘Ghosting’ is a very Millennial slang term.

From adulting to doggo, you can thank Millennials for popularizing these slang terms.

Don’t let eczema get you down.

Discover the best eczema treatments that experts recommend, whether you’re dealing with sudden eczema flare-ups, itchiness, or just need a new facial moisturizer.

A great hammerhead shark.

Some of them swim sideways.

These sunglasses are cosmic.

Enjoy this list of synonyms for ‘cool’ in the sense of “awesome, excellent, neato, super-duper.” They’re dope.

The lobby of New York City's Museum of Modern Art in 2020.

Here's how 'Just Do It' and five other iconic slogans came to be.

Fun fact? Those eyes are virtually indestructible.

Whether you love or hate this Easter candy, there’s no denying that marshmallow Peeps are an iconic part of the holiday.

When it comes to Easter, the feast dishes, public celebrations, and even the candy often vary depending on where you live.

One of life's few certainties.

See all 50 U.S. states (plus Washington, D.C.) ranked by tax rates.

Impress your green-thumbed friends with your knowledge of flower names.

With spring in bloom, let’s stop and smell the etymological roses and learn the origins of flower names like orchid, tulip, and violet.

Clockwise from right: Peter Capaldi, Rebecca Front, Joanna Scanlan, Chris Addison, and James Smith star in 'The Thick of It.'

Armando Iannucci’s iconic BBC comedy is one of television’s finest, and sweariest, sitcoms

Adorable.

Rabbits are much more than the cute, carrot-munching creatures pop culture makes them out to be.

Basketball has a language all its own.

Whether you’re playing a game of basketball or watching one, you want to sound like a pro. These slang terms will help.

‘Listen to me! I’m old and know things!’

The generational group born between 1946 and 1964 contributed a lot to slang.