Mental Floss

LISTS

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








Two-toed and three-toed sloths? Not the same thing.

Why are sloths so slow? Discover these fascinating facts about sloths, from their unique anatomy to their surprising swimming abilities.

Emily Petsko
Virginia Woolf, Charlie Chaplin, and Ludwig van Beethoven could be considered nepo babies.

Plenty of nepo babies have earned their places in history. But it’s always good to acknowledge the doors open to people who have rich relatives—or whose dad knows the manager of a clogging troupe.

Ellen Gutoskey