Mental Floss

LISTS

Sailors in the early days of exploration may have believed that manatees were mermaids.

Unicorns, mermaids, vampires, and leprechauns are some of the most widely known mythical creatures, but where did these legendary beings come from?

Erin McCarthy




The way some words are spelled is downright bizarre.

Ever wonder why there’s a ‘k’ in ‘knead,’ or a ‘d’ in ‘Wednesday’? While there isn’t always a good reason for why some English words are spelled the way they are, there are reasons.

Arika Okrent






Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer in ‘Heat’ (1995).

Netflix has plenty of options for the action fan, from martial arts classics to gritty thrillers. Check out some of the best and most explosive movies you can stream right now.

Jake Rossen






Salvador Dalí was not a fan of insects.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”—unless you also fear the number 13. Or insects. Or being buried alive. Here are the fears of just a few of history’s most notable figures, from FDR to Dalí.

Jane Alexander






Grapes have a long agricultural history.

Wine grapes and table grapes are a huge agricultural asset. It's no wonder that the humble grape is among the world's largest fruit crops.

Indi Bains


The pattern is named after the European dance craze, but what exactly the dots have to do with polka is a bit of a mystery.

Shaunacy Ferro