Mental Floss

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Moviegoers were donning these glasses to take in a 3D film way before you thought they were.

Discover the intriguing origins of everything from Oreos to Juicy Fruit gum to sparkling water, exploring their hidden histories and unexpected beginnings, from vaudeville fads to accidental inventions.

Ellen Gutoskey


Ka-ching!

Explore the colorful world of slang terms for money, from ‘bacon’ to ‘moolah’ and beyond.

Mark Peters


George Miller at the premiere of "Three Thousand Years Of Longing"

Even after the success of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'Happy Feet' remains George Miller's biggest hit.

Michele Debczak
The origin of ‘a piece of cake’ comes from actual cake.

From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.

Matt Soniak




Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the trailblazers who fought for equality and forever changed the world for the better.

Find out everything you need to know about the origins of Women's History Month, including how it went from a daylong celebration born from a socialist idea to a monthlong institution in the United States.

Zoë Randolph




There are several ways to celebrate the holiday.

Why do people wear green on St. Patrick's Day? And why do they eat corned beef and cabbage? Let’s dive into the origins of some popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Mary Beth Skylis
Felt cute, might be prickly later.

Did you know hedgehogs have between 5000 and 7000 quills? This is just one of many intriguing hedgehog facts that animal lovers should know.

Hannah Keyser




These sayings are great craic.

Discover the vibrant Irish culture through its language and slang. Learn key phrases to use on St. Paddy’s Day and beyond, from ‘craic’ and ‘sláinte’ to ‘céad míle fáilte’ and ‘may the road rise up to meet you.’

Fiona Moon




The British royal family has been dogged by conspiracy theories for more than 1000 years.

From secret love children to political assassinations to accusations of vampirism, the British royal family has been the subject of many bizarre conspiracy theories over the course of its history.

Paul Anthony Jones
A quartet of northern pintail ducks in flight.

Discover fascinating facts about ducks, from their adaptation to cold temperatures to their rude nesting habits.

Yelena Melnichenko