Mental Floss

MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

Earthquakes don't cause giant cartoonish chasms to open up, but they can tear up the landscape like this.

Fear not: the chances of “The Big One” hitting while you read this article are very, very slim. But that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

Ellen Gutoskey






If you're looking for a caffeine fix, you know that orange pot isn't going to help.

Both decaf and regular coffee drinkers know what the orange spout and handle on a carafe means, but they may not know why the color was chosen.

Michele Debczak










Morning breath is a common condition.

Waking up to a foul taste is a common dilemma. Fortunately, there are some easy steps to reduce a bad oral presentation in the morning.

Jake Rossen


Even without raging benders, dogs might still get headaches.

Dogs and humans share some of the same central neural pathways. Does that mean they need blackout curtains for crippling headaches, too?

Jake Rossen


3 p.m. is basically noon for people who wake up at 12 p.m.

We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.

Ellen Gutoskey




DelmasLehman/iStock via Getty Images

The reasons why whitewashing farmhouses became a popular trend among colonial homeowners, especially those who lived in humid climates, go far beyond aesthetics.

Ellen Gutoskey