Mental Floss
Mental Floss

LISTS

Forgot to grab a Valentine's Day gift? That's okay—these last-minute picks can help.

From tea subscription boxes to date night experiences, these last-minute Valentine's Day gifts will still seem thoughtful—and they'll never know you got them right before the holiday.

Lauren Dana
An Indian eagle-owl.

Owls are enigmatic birds, by turns mysterious, lovable, or spooky, depending on whom you ask. Here are some key facts about these wise guys.

Joy Lanzendorfer
Maya Angelou celebrating her 82nd birthday

Dr. Maya Angelou’s verses are at the very heart of the American experience—yet she didn’t start out as a poet.

Scott Beggs
Let's make moves and go to the National Aquarium!

Charm City’s namesake charm could partially be due to the locals’ broad vocabulary of slang. Here are some terms you should know if you ever plan on visiting.

Bethel Afful
These paradoxes will melt your brain.

A good paradox can befuddle the best of us. If you're in the mood to narrow your brow at seemingly irreconcilable facts, have we got a list for you.

Paul Anthony Jones
There are several reasons a car won’t start.

Before you slam your head or hands on the wheel, take a look at these common reasons for an inoperable car and what you might be able to do about them.

Jake Rossen
African American English derives from a historical past of contact between multiple language speakers. It varies across age, ethnicity, class, and gender. There is more than one AAE.

African descendants in the U.S. have been speaking varieties of English, today known as African American Language (AAL), for many centuries. Here's what you should know.

Renée Blake, Kimberley Baxter
Groundhog handler John Griffiths holding Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day 2020.

The history of Groundhog Day stretches back hundreds of years. But, as it turns out, the furry animal isn’t the best at getting the forecast right.

Scott Beggs
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