Mental Floss

MYTHS

An assortment of sanitary products.

There are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about menstruation. But it’s important to parse out what’s true and what’s a lie.

Baba Yaga on the cover of ‘Contes De Lisba’

Frankenstein’s monster has been revisited by Guillermo del Toro in the form of a new film, but these creatures continue to be overlooked.

Peaceful or horrifying?

These trails will really get your heart pumping.

The large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) is a Southeast Asian species of megabat.

The flying mammals aren’t nearly as scary as these myths suggest.

Some might accuse this kitty of gossiping.

Cats have attracted a lot of different superstitions over the years—some easier to believe than others.

Men prevent a vampire rising from its grave in a Romanian cemetery in this 19th-century illustration.

The belief in real-life vampires predates Bram Stoker’s legendary novel ‘Dracula.’

You never know what—or who—you'll encounter in these national parks.

The parks offer thrill seekers, ghost hunters, and the brave alike another reason to visit.

The allegedly cursed ghost town of Bodie, California.

From ruined castles in Europe to a pebbled beach in Thailand, these supposedly hexed global destinations carry warnings for all who dare to visit them.

Aging might seem scary, but you probably don’t have all of the facts.

The idea that older people need less sleep is just one common misconception.

Get the facts straight about your favorite AI chatbots.

If you’ve ever caught yourself sympathizing with ChatGPT, you may have fallen for one of these common misconceptions about AI.

Peterhouse MS 255, the manuscript containing the passage about Wade.

The medieval hero known as Wade was thought to have encountered elves in his adventures. But they might have been wolves instead.

Put your knowledge of mythology to the test.

Fortunately, the tooth fairy doesn't actually pull teeth.

While the Tooth Fairy herself may be surprisingly modern, the bits of folklore that went into her creation are hundreds of years old.

The Greek gods of Olympus.

They hurl thunderbolts, throw wild parties, and mess with the lives of mortals. Can you match each description to the correct god or goddess?

For the past century, the quest to break the Beale Ciphers has attracted the military, computer scientists, and conspiracy theorists. All have failed.

RIP, precious fly.

Did the great poet really build a tomb for a household pest?

Easter greetings!

The origin of the word ‘Easter’ is linked to the ancient pagan goddess Ostara. But is she actually ancient?

Hares—not bunnies—once played a prominent role in spring celebrations.

Hares were once linked to a Germanic Pagan goddess who never even existed.

Time to get the facts straight on this fact of life.

Should you be worried about animal attacks when you’re menstruating?

The “Tortoise and the Hare“ is a popular fable.

These narrative forms are similar, but not exactly the same.

Everybody gets to be Irish after they smooch this stone.

This St. Patrick’s Day, discover the origins of this old Irish idiom and how it all ties back to the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

There’s a lot people get wrong about the Central Intelligence Agency.

Yes, you can have a Facebook page and still join the CIA.

An illustration accompanying "The Haunted Cellar," published by Thomas Crofton Croker.

Here’s a crash course in these infamously impish creatures, from how to tell one from a leprechaun to which clurichaun stories are worth reading.

You must be a lucky one of you find a four-leaf clover.

While the shamrock mainly has religious ties, the four-leaf clover—often mistaken for the same plant—is often associated with luck. We explain why.