Mental Floss

10/07/2025

Inside the complicated compromise that created the District of Columbia and the City of Washington—which are kind of the same thing.

D.C.’s unique status may come down to a secret meeting between Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.

10/07/2025

The road to the bestseller list started with a self-financed trip to the printing press for these famed authors.

10/07/2025

All cheesecake is delicious. So why should you opt for New York-style over any other kind?

All cheesecake is delicious. So why should you opt for New York-style over any other kind?

10/07/2025

The elusive, fluffy wildcat may be adorable, but they're not social animals. They don't even seem to like each other very much.

10/07/2025

The tragic deaths and mysterious events surrounding this classic horror franchise have given rise to the urban legend that a real-life “Poltergeist” curse exists.

The tragic deaths and mysterious events surrounding this classic horror franchise have given rise to the theory that a real-life “Poltergeist” curse exists.

10/07/2025

What it is, why it’s called that, and how to say it correctly.

Your pronunciation of ‘Worcestershire sauce’ depends on your accent. But that’s no excuse for butchering it.

10/07/2025

Trust us: It’s a good thing.

10/07/2025

Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.

Pigs were involved in piggyback rides lexically much more than literally.

10/07/2025

If you happened to see a St. Bernard while lost in the Alps, it probably wouldn't have a barrel around its neck.

10/07/2025

For starters, it's neither Spanish nor moss.

10/07/2025

Henry Hudson probably regretted taking his teenage son with him on the 'Discovery.'