Mental Floss

NEWS



Photo illustration: Shaunacy Ferro. Images: Penguin Random House

Shirley Jackson, the famed author of 'The Lottery' and 'The Haunting of Hill House,' claimed to be a witch.

Shaunacy Ferro


These words are so wonderful even Santa wants to use them.

Every time Christmas rolls around it brings with it its own vocabulary of words you barely hear the rest of the year. Here are a few we should bring back.

Paul Anthony Jones








Digital Vision./iStock via Getty Images Plus

What exactly is going on with the word yon in "Silent Night," and the word troll in "Deck the Halls"? Drop these facts about the grammar in your favorite carols when you're out caroling this holiday season.

Arika Okrent












Photo by Stella Rose on Unsplash

Hygge—a Danish term that's used to convey a kind of warm coziness, and has no English equivalent—is a lifestyle that’s best understood when experienced firsthand. To help that special peace-seeking someone in your life find the ultimate level of relaxatio

Jennifer M Wood