Mental Floss

SOUND









You rang?

Cats and “Pspsps” go together like toddlers and the crinkling wrapper of a candy bar that you were trying to eat in secret. What gives?

Ellen Gutoskey
Vocal fry predates the Kardashians.

Vocal fry describes a specific sound quality caused by the movement of the vocal folds—and it’s nothing new.

Arika Okrent


The Wilhelm Scream sound effect has been heard in everything from 'Star Wars' to 'Avatar.' But why do so many filmmakers use it?

Sean Hutchinson














A photo you can practically hear.

Your favorite ASMR playlist probably isn’t true white noise—or brown noise or pink noise, for that matter.

Ellen Gutoskey