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Here’s (at least) one interesting way station each of these common words made on its journey to the present day, whether it’s an analysis of the Latin roots, a hypothesis about a proto-Indo-European origin, or a pivotal change in meaning.

Jon Mayer
There are around 2.5 million used, new, and rare books housed inside New York City's multiple Strand Bookstore locations.

In honor of Independent Bookstore Day, we've picked the best bookshop in every state—plus a few others we loved. Did your favorite make the list?

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The Stone of Scone in the Coronation Chair.

The Stone of Scone—also called the Stone of Destiny—may look unassuming, but it’s had a long and colorful history, right up to the present day.

Samantha Drake






Disney waved goodbye to these discontinued foods.

While some foodie favorites like churros and Mickey ice cream bars have been staples for years, other beloved treats have been unceremoniously yanked from menus.

Stacy Conradt


Admont Abbey Library in Admont, Austria is the largest monastic library in the world.

Libraries are a reader’s best friend. In honor of National Library Week, here are 25 things you might not know about these hallowed halls of book worship.

Jake Rossen




Photo illustration by Mental Floss. Images: iStock/Customdesigner (TV), iStock/D-Keine (crime scene)

Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like there’s a new—and wildly successful—book, podcast, or show devoted to a crime. Which raises the question: Why are we so obsessed with true crime? Here’s what the experts have to say.

Erin McCarthy


The choices were made with a healthy dose of humility.

Which food has done the most to shape human development? Like a lot of interesting questions, it’s kind of impossible to answer.

Jon Mayer




The Devil's Island lighthouse in the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior.

The Great Lakes of North America span 750 miles from east to west and form the largest freshwater system on Earth. Here are 10 facts about the fab five.

Benjamin Lampkin


The first time scientists encountered a platypus specimen, they thought the animal was a hoax. Read on for a few more things you might not have known about this quirky creature.

Hannah Keyser




The beloved star of 'Game of Thrones,' 'The Mandalorian,' and 'The Last of Us' can't handle hearing Prince's "Purple Rain" because it moves him "so deeply."

Garin Pirnia