Mental Floss

MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Demonstration of a waterbed, 1971.

Waterbeds were once a coveted "fluid fixture" of bedrooms—until, suddenly, they weren't. So who or what led to their demise?

Why does using less of your eye help you see something more clearly? There's a pretty simple explanation.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

To beef or not to beef?

For practicing Catholics, meat is off limits on Fridays during Lent. But they might be able to make an exception this March 17.

Think incognito browsing hides everything? Think again.

Reminder: 'Incognito' doesn’t mean 'safe for work.'

Identify whether you're feeling angst, ennui, or weltschmerz with this handy guide.

English never hesitates to borrow words that would lose certain subtleties in translation, and angst, ennui, and weltschmerz have made their way into English by offering a little something extra.

Consider the calories.

Pay attention to calories rather than the volume of pet food you feed your dog.

Left to right: Macaroons, macarons.

‘Macaron’ and ‘macaroon’ aren’t just two versions of the same word. These days, anyway.

'Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha-HURK'

In 1975, a woman found her husband dead in a chair after watching a BBC sitcom. He had been laughing for almost a half-hour. Was it merriment that killed him?

There is a perfect time to go to your local thrift store if you want to find the best deals.

Consider these elements when choosing where to sit at the theater.

There is a seat in every movie theater that will give you an optimal viewing experience, and it's not necessarily in the dead-center row.

"I was told there'd be corn here."

Corned beef and cabbage has beef, cabbage, and not a speck of corn. What gives?

Mmmm... vomity.

There's a scientific explanation for the "vomit" notes some Europeans taste in Hershey's chocolate.

Queen Elizabeth II and Camilla, then–Duchess of Cornwall, at the Royal Ascot in 2013.

If you know the meaning of ‘consort,’ you can probably guess what a queen consort is.

The gas pump nozzle's frequent shut offs are all about safety.

It never fails. You stop to refuel and the gas pump takes on a mind of its own. Here's why it keeps interrupting your flow.

Redefining 'finger food.'

Where there’s a will, there's a way.

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy in "Mad Men."

Where did we get Dick from Richard? Why is Bill short for William?

A Carl's Jr. opened in New York City in 2018.

The signs and menus look exactly alike, down to that cheery little star. Are they the same restaurant?

Old habits die hard.

The practice dates back decades.

This isn't jive talking.

This information might not jibe with what you’ve heard before.

Match the homophone to its picture.

Here are some mnemonic devices to help you master this triple homophonic whammy.

With these delicious alonds, I thee wed...

The candy-coated almonds are a traditional part of many Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern wedding celebrations.

When to snip, and when to put your scissors away.

Nix those unnecessary stitches.

A lion as depicted in a French Book of Hours, circa 1432.

Just because lions were depicted frequently in medieval art and design doesn’t mean they were depicted well.