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An Aquarium in Japan Wants You to FaceTime With Its Shy Eels
With the aquarium closed to the public, the eels have started to be uncharacteristically bashful around humans.
NEWS
LEGO Celebrates Star Wars Day With a New 1673-Piece A-Wing Set
If you’re a Star Wars ship aficionado, you’ll know the A-Wing is one of the most important parts of the Rebel fleet.
A Hair-Raising History of the Flowbee
The Flowbee vacuum cleaner attachment became an infomercial sensation for promising to trim hair with the help of the household Hoover.
How to Pitch a Story to Mental Floss
So, you’d like to write for Mental Floss? We've assembled a handful of helpful tips to help you craft the best pitch possible.
Say Goodbye to Making Your Bed Every Morning—the Smartduvet Will Do It for You
The Smartduvet’s merits far outweigh any visual similarities it may have to the titular antagonist of the 1977 horror film ‘Death Bed: The Bed That Eats.’
Scientists at North Carolina State University Want to Know What Your Sourdough Starter Smells Like
Scents on North Carolina State University's aroma wheel for sourdough include tropical fruit, red wine, and fart.
Virus-Sniffing Dogs Could Help Detect COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients
As early as this summer, disease-sniffing dogs may be used to screen for asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus.
Mattel Unveils New First Responder Action Figures to Raise Money for Coronavirus Relief
The collection includes nurses, doctors, delivery drivers, and EMTs, with all net proceeds benefiting their real-life counterparts.
20 Amazing Things Found at Yard Sales
From an actual copy of the Declaration of Independence to jewelry, some people made millions off the items they bought for a mere dollars at yard sales.
The Unbelievable History of Sea-Monkeys
In the first edition of "Throwback," our all-new YouTube series, we take a deep dive into the bizarre history of Sea-Monkeys and Harold von Braunhut, the man who created them—then funneled the millions he made into illegal activities.
Seniors Are Learning Helpful Tech Skills—Like Online Grocery Shopping—via Getsetup
The startup is offering free and premium online classes to help seniors navigate a new world of online grocery shopping, Zoom meetings, and pharmacy deliveries.
11 New Words and Phrases Inspired by the Coronavirus
If you’re struggling to describe the new coronavirus era we’re living in, well, you’re not alone. In fact, many new terms have been coined to help us talk about these unprecedented times.
The Best Way to Defer Your Credit Card Payments During the Coronavirus Shutdown, Explained
Credit card companies are willing to work with card holders experiencing financial hardship, but there's some fine print you need to look out for.
In the Name of Coronavirus Relief, Belgian Officials Are Asking Citizens to Eat Extra Fries
Belgium is facing a surplus of frozen fries in the wake of bar and restaurant closures, and it’s asking citizens to help.
Smell You Later: How Comfort Smelling Can Relieve Quarantine-Related Stress
If you've been separated from a loved one during quarantine, smell a comforting scent—like a sweater they've worn—to lift your mood and relieve stress.
5 Axed Ideas From the Original Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Script
In February 1978, writer Leigh Brackett delivered the first draft of 'The Empire Strikes Back.' It ended up being far from the classic we all know today.
There Are 21 Classic Romance Movies Depicted in This Image—Can You Name Them All In Less Than 5 Minutes?
No romantic movie subgenre is off-limits—the image includes romantic comedies, timeless classics, musicals, and more.
Venus Reaches Peak Brightness in Late April—Here's How to Spot the Evening Star
In late April, Venus is 20 times brighter than the brightest star in the night sky. Here's what you need to know about the phenomenon.
The Surprising Reason ALDI Doesn't Play Music
ALDI, the popular discount food chain, defies retail convention by muting speakers. Here's why music isn't part of their inventory.
Mental Floss Is Up for a Webby Award—Here’s How to Help Us Win!
We’re thrilled to be included in the best weird general website category, which is basically our greatest dream come true.
Kevin Smith Has Used His Quarantine Time to Pen a Sequel to Mallrats
While sheltering in place, Kevin Smith—the cult favorite writer, director, and podcaster—has completed a sequel to 1995’s 'Mallrats.'
Why You’re Exhausted After Video Chats—And How to Feel Better
Even if you’re a self-proclaimed extrovert, the recent influx of video conference calls might be tiring you out.
You Can Browse Ellis Island’s Passenger Database Online
Millions of immigrants passed through Ellis Island in the 19th and 20th centuries, and you can use this online database to see if your relatives were among them.
Why Is the White House White?
The White House looks lovely against the lush green lawn, but that’s not why it was originally painted white.