Mental Floss

RELIGION







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If you plan to celebrate Fat Tuesday on March 1 with a doughnut or slice of King Cake, learn about the origins of the tradition.

Michele Debczak


What is a bye?

You’re not really wishing someone a good ‘bye.’ ‘Bye’ is just an abbreviation—and ‘good’ is sort of a mistake.

Ellen Gutoskey
An 18th-century painting of an exorcism.

Exorcism has a fascinating, unsettling history, and it’s left an indelible mark on pop culture thanks to films like 1973's 'The Exorcist.' Here are six historical exorcisms that are every bit as chilling as anything Hollywood can produce.

April Snellings