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Jakoś to Będzie: Poland's Anti-Hygge Approach to Happiness
The next time you feel hopeless, say "jakoś to będzie"—a Polish phrase that translates to "things will work out in the end."
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Do Your Bowels Suddenly Spring to Life in Bookstores? You’re Not Alone—and the Japanese Even Have a Term for It: Mariko Aoki
In the ’80s, Mariko Aoki wrote to a magazine about her strange habit of having to poop in bookstores. Now, she’s the namesake for the condition.
The 10 Happiest Finnish Words, According to the People of Finland
To celebrate the launch of their new Finnish course, Duolingo partnered with the website Very Finnish Problems to find out which words make the people of Finland happiest.
Universal Soldiers: The Individuals Keeping the Esperanto Language Dream Alive
The universal language never quite changed the world, but enthusiasts and Duolingo users are doing their bit to change that.
Who Was Jim Crow?
The name "Jim Crow" appears throughout many U.S. history books, but he was a caricature—not a real person.
Why Do We Say ‘Spill the Beans’?
The phrase was around long before Kevin Malone dropped his famous chili in season five of ‘The Office.’
The Last Lines From 19 Popular Books
Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with the last lines from ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘Little Women,’ and 17 other classic novels.
12 Words With Very Different Meanings in the U.S. and the UK
According to the internet, it was George Bernard Shaw who said, “The United States and Great Britain are two countries separated by a common language.” Here are 12 common culprits that cause confusion.
Grave Error: A Man Attempting to Fake His Own Death Was Caught Because of a Typo
Robert Berger tried to avoid a jail sentence by forging a death certificate. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the Office of Vital Statistics and Regsitry.
Seniors in a North Carolina Assisted Living Facility Are Looking for Pen Pals
Residents of Victorian Care Center in North Carolina are hoping to connect with people in a time when family visits are being restricted.
Why Do We Call Our Spouse's Relatives 'In-Laws'?
It all started as a reminder about which relatives the Catholic Church prohibited you from marrying.
Merriam-Webster Is Updating Its Definition of Racism to Emphasize Systemic Prejudice
After sending Merriam-Webster a series of emails, Kennedy Mitchum convinced the dictionary to revise its entry for 'racism' to better emphasize the systemic aspects.
Systemic vs. Systematic: How to Use Each Word Correctly
Something systemic—like a disease—means it’s present throughout a system. ‘Systematic’ refers to how a system is operated.
Why Are Common Graves Called Potter’s Fields?
After a remorseful Judas returned his payment for betraying Jesus, the high priests used it to buy the very first potter’s field.
Why Did Noon Used to Mean 3 p.m.?
We don’t know exactly when or why noon began to refer to 12 p.m., but it could have something to do with hungry monks.
What’s the Difference Between a Tiara and a Crown?
There’s a reason that Meghan Markle’s first time sporting a tiara (borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II) was on her wedding day.
Why Are Gardeners Said to Have a ‘Green Thumb’?
If our hands turn into a mess of smeared dirt when gardening, how come we have green thumbs? Why not green fingers?
Who’s the 'Scott' in Great Scott?
"Great Scott!" was around long before it became the go-to expression of Doc Brown in ‘Back to the Future.’
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.
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.
What Does the i in iPhone Stand For?
If you assumed the now-ubiquitous lowercase ‘i’ meant ‘internet,’ you’re not wrong—but that’s only part of it.
May vs. Might: When to Use Each Word
'May' and 'might' are two modal verbs that are often used interchangeably, but there are grammar rules governing which one is technically correct.
How Coronavirus and 31 Other Infectious Diseases and Viruses Got Their Names
‘Coronavirus’ is named for how it looks under a microscope, but that’s not the only way to name a virus or disease.
What Makes a Hotel Breakfast 'Continental'?
Hotels offer pastries, fruit, and coffee as a guest perk. But what makes it a 'continental' breakfast?