Mental Floss

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The close quarters of those serving together in war is a perfect Petri dish for slang. From ‘FUBAR’ to ‘fobbit,’ here are some military slang terms you should know (plus, why the military uses so many acronyms, anyway).

Mark Peters




Ed Balls celebrates Ed Balls Day.

A simple mistake on social media has turned into an internet event celebrated around the world for more than a decade.

Nick Greene










The origins of these animals’ names may surprise you.

‘Hippopotamus’ is Latin for “river-horse,” which makes sense for these semiaquatic mammals. The origins of some other animal names aren’t quite as literal.

Paul Anthony Jones


According to some depictions of her, Mother Goose isn't even a bird.

Many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. But was Mother Goose even a real person?

Lorna Wallace




Where did this weird word come from?

It’s hardly the most complimentary turn of phrase, but rug rat has been a slang term for children for more than half a century.

Paul Anthony Jones