Mental Floss

MUSIC





The pattern is named after the European dance craze, but what exactly the dots have to do with polka is a bit of a mystery.

Shaunacy Ferro






From left: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickson, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Buffett, and Gil Scott-Heron.

Jimmy Buffett—yeah, the “Margaritaville” guy—is one of just a few authors to have books that topped both the fiction and non-fiction ‘New York Times’ bestsellers lists. Other authors that have that distinction include Hemingway and Steinbeck.

Anastasia Rose Hyden














Phil Collins and Sting at Live Aid in 1985.

Gen Xers and Millennials uttered a collective gasp on May 9, 2023, when Paramount announced it was shutting down MTV News after more than three decades of operation.

Kenneth Partridge