Mental Floss

LISTS



Phil Collins and Sting at Live Aid in 1985.

Gen Xers and Millennials uttered a collective gasp on May 9, 2023, when Paramount announced it was shutting down MTV News after more than three decades of operation.

Kenneth Partridge


The drink is only part of the experience.

The best bars in New York City are apparently better than the best bars in Los Angeles … and everywhere else.

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Jhumpa Lahiri.

Nilanjana Sudeshna Lahiri, otherwise known as Jhumpa Lahiri, first came to prominence with her award-winning 1999 debut, the short story collection 'Interpreter of Maladies.' Here's what you need to know about 'The Namesake' author.

Jane Alexander




Bounce at your own risk.

The toys on this list include "what were they thinking?" oddities—like a children's laboratory kit that included uranium—but also some seemingly innocuous recreational offerings.

Stacy Conradt
The facts of these ships is unknown.

The true fate of many of these ships will never be known, but speculation suggests that storms, piracy, mutiny, accidental bombing, and even the attack of a giant squid could be responsible for their vanishings.

Claire Cock-Starkey


Now you know how to sing the alphabet in a few other languages!

English isn’t the only alphabet, and not every alphabet will fit into “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Here are some other songs from around the world to help them learn their ABCs.

Arika Okrent




Yorkies know how to strut their stuff.

Yorkshire Terrier dogs—better known as Yorkies—have a lot of personality packed into their tiny bodies. Learn more about this energetic breed and its history.

Rebecca OConnell


Isamu Noguchi at the Noguchi Garden Museum in New York City.

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the most influential designers and sculptors of the 20th century.

Jane Alexander
Singer and songwriter Mae Muller, performing on behalf of the United Kingdom, in rehearsal for the Eurovision Song contest 2023.

According to the Eurovision rules, no song can be over three minutes, and no live animals are allowed on stage—but just about anything else goes.

Meg Van Huygen