Mental Floss

LISTS

There's a super-sized history for this treat that keeps on giving.

Discover the fascinating history of fried potatoes, including French fries and their roots in France and Belgium. From tots to hashbrowns and more, the food origins behind these yummy side dishes may surprise you.

Michele Debczak
Those Illuminati rumors still haven't gone away, HOV ...

Whether it's about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce or Jay-Z’s part in the Illuminati, these music conspiracy theories are good for a laugh—and maybe a deep-dive on Reddit (or two).

Rudie Obias






Being this cute and well-liked takes a lot of work.

Curious about the most popular dog breed in your state? From feisty Chihuahuas to chill golden retrievers, discover which canine variety has your neighbors feeling the most captivated.

Rudie Obias


You’ll want to work these Scottish slang terms into conversation.

Curious about Scottish slang? Learn the meanings of terms like ‘git awa’ and bile yer heid’ and impress your friends on your next visit to Scotland.

Michael Thomas Kincella








The real-life 'Amityville Horror' house looks a little different these days.

Learn more about the supernatural incidents that inspired haunted house movies like ‘The Amityville Horror’ and ‘The Conjuring,’ and discover the truth behind the scares.

Garin Pirnia
Conspiracy theories are nothing new.

From doubt over Shakespeare’s existence to Lincoln’s assassination, conspiracy theories have been around for centuries.

Jake Rossen, Jason Serafino








They want you to brush up on your hamster facts.

As far as pets go, hamsters are pretty beloved. We’ve rounded up some fascinating hamster facts.

Hayley Harding