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      Mental Floss

      VIDEO

      Gallaher's Cigarettes recommended a hack that involved setting butter on fire.

      25 Weird Old-Timey Life Hacks

      From raw beef for wrinkle prevention to cleaning paintings with potatoes, here are some of the most memorable life hacks from days of yore.

      Ellen Gutoskey

      Secret societies capture the public's imagination.

      The Real Stories Behind 8 Secret Societies

      From their clandestine meetings to shadowy rituals, it’s easy to see how secret societies have captured the imaginations of those of us on the outside.

      Jon Mayer

      “The Paper Airplane Guy” Teaches You How to Fold a Record-Breaking Flying Machine

      John Collins's paper airplanes can spin, flap like birds, and make 360-degree turns.

      Michele Debczak



      A small sampling of our 50+ regional dish selections

      One Beloved Dish From Each U.S. State

      You probably know about Chicago's deep dish pizza and New York City's famous bagels, but what's the signature regional dish in Alabama? Or Idaho?

      Jon Mayer


      DEET might not exist without military research.

      9 Inventions That Came From the Military

      From bug spray to Epipens, you might be surprised to learn just how many items taking up shelf space in your home were originally developed for the front lines.

      Jon Mayer


      How the TV Dinner Revolutionized American Life

      How the humble TV dinner changed American life in the mid-20th century.

      Michele Debczak


      Ballerinas are not considered a mythical creature

      The Origins of 13 Mythical Creatures

      Our latest episode of The List Show gets into some illuminating stories, from merpeople (or is that manatees?) to 'pontianak.'

      Jon Mayer
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