Mental Floss

MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Decades after the footprints that popped up in northern California, they were alleged to be a hoax.

The Hoax That Led to the Word ‘Bigfoot’

When 16-inch-long tracks began popping up on northern California logging sites in 1958, workers dubbed the culprit ‘Big Foot’—but decades later, the whole thing was revealed to be a hoax.

The Super Bowl has a unique numbering system.

Why Does the Super Bowl Use Roman Numerals?

The National Football League doesn’t want to confuse you.

The origins of Taco Tuesday are surprisingly complicated.

The Surprisingly Contentious Origins of Taco Tuesday

The phrase “Taco Tuesday” has finally entered the public domain (unless you’re in New Jersey).

She's probably spent the last 20 minutes listening to the same fuzzy song on a loop.

Why Hold Music Is So Annoying

There are some psychological reasons why being put on hold is such a frustrating experience.

This person is literally feeling their oats—but is that where the phrase came from?

Where Does the Phrase ‘Feeling One’s Oats’ Come From?

The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

Why in tarnation do we think Yosemite Sam always said "tarnation"?

What in Tarnation Is ‘Tarnation’?

The origins and meaning of 'tarnation' are simple; its 'Looney Tunes' legacy is anything but.

That’s a groundhog who was woken up too early.

Where Did Groundhog Day Come From?

Will the groundhog see its shadow? Uncover the history and folklore behind Groundhog Day and its connection to weather forecasting.

It’s not straightforward.

What’s the Correct Pronunciation of ‘February’?

In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “FEB-yoo-air-ee.” Both Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries consider the common pronunciation correct, along with the less common, more traditional standard “FEB-roo-air-ee.”

You've probably been within spitting distance of a nuclear warhead without even realizing it.

See How the U.S. Government Transports Its Nuclear Weapons

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.

Sharing a toothbrush is unwise.

Why You Should Never Use Someone Else’s Toothbrush

Using a toothbrush that doesn't belong to you isn't a romantic gesture. It's a health risk.

Cricket, grasshopper, or '50s sci-fi monster?

The Differences Between a Cricket and a Grasshopper, Explained

Grasshoppers and crickets belong to the same insect order. But they aren't the same species.

Bobby pins took hold in the 1920s.

Why Do We Call Them Bobby Pins?

There’s a surprisingly rich history at the root of this hair accessory.

Ick.

The ‘Seinfeld’ Double-Dip Is Exactly as Gross as It Seems, According to Science

You really don’t want to know what’s lurking in that dip.

Yea or née?

Where Does the Word ‘Née’ Come From?

Née’s meaning is technically “born,” and we borrowed it from the same place we got the terms ‘déjà vu’ and ‘cul-de-sac.’

Arenas and stadiums have some key differences.

What’s the Difference Between an Arena and a Stadium?

Seating capacity is just one part of it.

This one seems obvious.

How Do Streets Get Named?

While developers can feel free to submit any name they’d like for a new street, cities usually have guidelines and standards.

Not always part of a balanced diet.

Is It Safe to Eat Snow?

Fresh snow might look tasty, but just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it actually is.

“Here’s your cup of bacteria, sir.”

The Reason Why You Can’t Drink Airplane Bathroom Water

Glugging tap water on a plane is a terrible idea.

Toby mugs in a market stall.

Why Do We Use the Word ‘Mug’ as a Synonym for ‘Face’?

How a love of drinking and Britain’s 18th-century Toby jugs might have inspired the slang word for ‘face.’

But it's not an island.

Why Is Australia Both a Country And a Continent?

The definition of a continent isn't as concrete as you might expect, but a few qualities help earn Australia that distinction.

Fire trucks are a common sight at ambulance calls.

Why Do Fire Trucks Come When You Call for an Ambulance?

Why does the fire department show up for emergency calls if nothing is on fire?

Magnificent cheese.

The Scientific Reason Cheddar Cheese Tastes So Good

That delicious bowl of cheddar soup is really a big bowl of (good) bacteria.

Disks and discs.

Disc vs. Disk: What’s the Difference?

Deciding to write 'disc' or 'disk' depends on what kind of disc it is. Sometimes.

Eating good food can leave you lighter in the wallet.

The Reason Healthy Food Is Often More Expensive Than Junk Food

Eating well often comes at a premium price. Here’s why.