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      Mental Floss

      MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

      dolgachov/iStock via Getty Images

      The Reason So Many Movies Open on Christmas Day

      Christmas is one of the most profitable times of the year for film studios, who count on people desperate to get away from their families for a couple of hours.

      Jake Rossen

      Celine Dion performs in London's Hyde Park.

      What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome?

      Celine Dion recently announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that only affects about one or two out of every 1 million people.

      Jennifer Billock

      Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on December 25?

      Jesus’s birthday is subject to interpretation, and there are plenty of intriguing theories to explain how we landed on December 25 to celebrate Christmas.

      Ellen Gutoskey



      Ebenezer Scrooge, clearly before the ghosts talked some sense into him.

      What Does “Bah, Humbug!” Actually Mean?

      The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

      Ellen Gutoskey


      Chocolate doesn’t always look this good.

      The Reason Chocolate Gets Chalky White, and Whether It’s Safe to Eat

      Sometimes chocolate looks a little rough. And you might be to blame.

      Jake Rossen


      Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

      Why We Keep Reaching for Cold Pizza

      You’d never reach for cold French fries. How does cold pizza manage to remain so delicious?

      Jake Rossen


      The MCU has made an art out of the post-credits tease.

      What Was the First Post-Credits Scene in a Movie?

      Kevin Feige and the brains at Marvel may have perfected the art of the post-credits tease, but they didn't invent it.

      Jake Rossen
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