Jason English

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Jason English was named Editor-in-Chief, Digital for mental_floss in 2011 after serving as Managing Editor since 2007. He runs the @mental_floss twitter account and created the board game Split Decision. In 2013 mentalfloss.com won the Webby Award for Best Blog–Culture and was named one of the 50 Best Websites by TIME.

Jason was previously a freelance contributor to mental_floss magazine and a mediocre copywriter for several New York ad agencies. He resides in New Jersey with his wife, three daughters and yellow lab, Bailey, who's also a girl.

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Programming Note: This Month We're Celebrating the 11th on Monday

11 image via Shutterstock If you're new around here, on the 11th day of every month we run at least 11 '11 lists' (like '10 lists' but slightly longer). We started doing this on November 11, 2011 — 11/11/11 — and decided to make it a monthly thing. Since August 11th is a Saturday and I'm very busy playing Hungry Hungry Hippos at the beach, we're going to celebrate the 11th on Monday. Get excited. Here are some 11 lists from past 11ths.... READ ON

Come November, We'll Add Paul Ryan to One of These Quizzes

Now that Mitt Romney has named his running mate, it's only a matter of time before we add Paul Ryan's name to one of these VP quizzes: Remind me in... READ ON

What Movie Sequel Would You Un-Make?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. This week, we're doing something a little different. I'm granting you three wishes! Probably not wishes you'd actually make, but you shouldn't look a wish-granting horse in the mouth. 1. Congratulations! I've secured for you a lucrative job in the vending machine placement business. In order to keep this job, however, you must... READ ON

In Parts of Europe, Ranch-Flavored Doritos Are Called "Cool American"

[Via BuzzFeed. See more unusual Doritos flavors and flavor names from around the... READ ON

Prince Harry is Partial Owner of a Racehorse Named Usain Colt

John Stillwell/PA Photos/Landov Adrienne Crezo is on vacation this week, but she found time to share that fact with me yesterday. I am grateful. Stealing a line from our Managing Editor Jessanne Collins, I love the things that things are named. If you'd like to use this opening to come up with some punny names for your hypothetical racehorses, please do so in the comments. (You can read more about Usain Colt in this Sports Illustrated article from last... READ ON

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Times You Liked the Movie More Than the Book

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. What's one event the International Olympic Committee could add that would make you much more likely to tune in? I would absolutely watch 40-45 minutes of the best croquet in the world every four years. 2. Everyone has a list of movies that didn't live up to the book, including... READ ON

Let's Ask Matt Soniak Some Questions

Matt Soniak is our in-house answer man. Since 2008, he's answered hundreds of Big Questions, and saved me valuable time whenever I'm wondering anything. (He's my ChaCha.) We're working out his August schedule today, so if there's something you'd like him to consider, let us know! If we use your question, we'll give you a shout out and the mental_floss t-shirt of your choice. Leave a comment, use the hashtag #BigQuestion, or email askmatt@mentalfloss.com. You can scroll through many of Matt's... READ ON

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Alton Brown Is Our New Food Columnist!

Big news! Food Network legend Alton Brown has joined the mental_floss gang as our new food columnist! Considering we've described mental_floss as "Good Eats, but, you know, about everything," this feels like a perfect fit. His big debut is in the new issue, which should be on newsstands and in mailboxes any day now. Like everything else these days, this came about on... READ ON

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The Final Harry Potter Book Came Out Five Years Ago Today

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released at 12:01am on July 21, 2007. Celebrate the book's wood anniversary with a few Hogwarts-related quizzes from the... READ ON

What Was Your Very First Job?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. This site lets you look up the bestselling books for any date. What was on the bestseller list the day you turned 21? Have you read any of them? 2. What was your very first job? While the pay was likely low and the work was probably less than ideal, are there any lessons you learned... READ ON

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I Need Some Science Experiments to Impress My Children

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply, whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. "Daddy," Charlotte asked last night, "do you know any science experiments?" I immediately offered up the groundbreaking study where we submerge a Goldfish cracker in a plastic cup of water, then freeze it. "That's OK, Daddy. Maybe Grandpa knows one." So now I need everybody's help. I... READ ON

11 image via Shutterstock It's time to light the lights! On the 11th day of every month, we go a little overboard and post at least 11 '11 lists' (like 10 lists, only slightly longer). Jill, Higgins, and Kara have gotten us off to a fast start: 11 Wonderful Libraries in Africa * Wake Like the Astronauts! 11 Memorable NASA Wakeup Calls * 11 Memories of Not-So-Modern Medicine So stick around! Or leave and come back ten more times. Whatever... READ ON

Watch People Buy Guns N' Roses CDs and Tapes at Midnight in 1991

This is how we acquired new music in 1991. Lines at midnight! Comically oversized CD packaging! Actual stores!... READ ON

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Friday Happy Hour: Reader-Submitted Question Edition

On Fridays, I usually ask a series of unrelated questions to spark conversation in the comments. But today I'm taking a half-day and my kids are demanding a trip to the boardwalk. So, I'm going to leave the question-asking to you guys. What have you always wanted to ask your fellow _flossers? Looking forward to reading your Qs and As! [Enjoy the weekend! See all the previous Friday Happy Hour... READ ON

11 Obscure Regional Phrases That Describe Excessive Heat

The way this summer is going, you'll soon run out of ways to say, "It's ridiculously hot." Lucky for us, we have a direct line to Joan H. Hall, editor of the Dictionary of American Regional English. Here are 11 phrases you can fall back on next time someone asks what the weather is like.... READ ON

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Facts on a Plane (Or: Entertain Me on My Way Home From Chicago)

If the Gogo Flight Tracker is accurate, I'm writing this at 31,083 feet. I'm also kinda bored and looking to justify including my in-flight wi-fi purchase on tomorrow's expense report. So while I make my way back home from Chicago, where I've been hanging around with our Midwest advertising team, let's have a contest to see who can come up with the most amazing facts related to air travel. Three winners will earn mental_floss t-shirts. I'd throw in some honey roasted peanuts but it does not look like... READ ON

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Who is Your Favorite mental_floss Commenter?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. If this were a big old cocktail party, which mental_floss reader or readers would you really love to meet in person? We might be able to make this happen! (OK, we probably won't be able to make this happen. But if you live within commuting distance of one... READ ON

Mail Call! Looking for Letters About Our New Issue

The new issue of mental_floss is now on newsstands and coffee tables and wherever else magazines are hoarded. Art director Winslow is hard at work laying out the Letters to the Editor page of the next issue. That's where you come in. If you've got something to say — good ("I love it!"), bad ("I don't love it!") or other ("I demand more muffin analogies!") — let us hear it! Send your thoughts to letters@mentalfloss.com. If we print yours, we'll send you a mental_floss t-shirt. If you've got stamps... READ ON

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What's So Great About Where You Live?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... 1. My local paper recently compiled a list of important moments in our town's history. Claims to fame included being mentioned in a Hans and Franz sketch. If your local paper put together a similar list, what would be the funniest thing on there? 2. What's your... READ ON

In 1921, Babe Ruth Received a French Poodle From a Wounded Veteran

Every so often, we find an awesome or bizarre historical stock image and present it here without comment. This is one of those... READ ON

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What Was Your Worst Subject?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... Old report card image via Shutterstock 1. You're all geniuses. But what was the one subject in which you were slightly less awesome? 2. I rarely have a good answer to the "What are you doing this weekend?" question. But tomorrow I'm going to see Jim... READ ON

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35 Classic Baseball Cards and What They're Worth Today

After stumbling across the June 2012 issue of Beckett Sports Card Monthly in Barnes & Noble, I looked up some of the cards I was sure would make me rich one day. Looks like I'll be keeping the day job, at least until the Beanie Baby market recovers.1. Ken Griffey, Jr., 1989 Upper... READ ON

That One Crazy Dream Floating Around Your Head

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... Woman deep in thought image via Shutterstock 1. Moving to China to teach English? Inventing a new ice cream flavor? Trying out for the Rockettes? When you take the time to daydream about some great new life adventure, what are you daydreaming about? 2.... READ ON

The Last Three Books You've Read and Whether You Liked Them

Let's get a good summer reading list going.... READ ON

31 Acronyms and Initials All Spelled Out

For the past few weeks, every time I saw an acronym or initials, I took a picture. You know the brands, authors, and pieces of legislation, but do you know what all those letters stand for? 1.... READ ON

How Many Jelly Beans Are in This Cup?

First person to guess correctly wins a copy of Split Decision. Or the jelly beans. Your call. Update: May 24, 4:22pm The magic number has not been guessed yet. Keep trying! I know you can do this. Update: May 29, 10:52pm Still no winner! Though I will say the number of comments right now (328) is higher than the number of jelly beans. Update: May 31, 12:22pm This is going to go on forever. Update: Weeks later Ora wins! There were 231 jelly beans in the jar. Ora, I will be in touch. If you... READ ON

Friday Is Geek Pride Day. There Are Prizes Involved.

Friday, May 25, is International Geek Pride Day. We didn't invent it — according to Wired, a guy named Tim McEachern deserves some of the credit. He started the Geek Pride Festival in Albany, New York, in 1998. Geek Pride Day later spread to Spain and across the Internet. The date was chosen to commemorate the 1977 premiere of Star Wars. Big day in geek history. To celebrate this year, we want to hear about your proudest geek moment. Define that however you like. But make it memorable! On Friday,... READ ON

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Save the Date: Panel Discussion on Decentralized Energy With Maggie Koerth-Baker

If you're in New York and looking for a good discussion of decentralized energy, you're in luck! Former mental_floss contributing editor/current BoingBoing all-star Maggie Koerth-Baker is leading a panel on Wednesday, May 30, starting at 6:30pm. More individuals want to generate electricity at home. More companies and municipal utilities are finding opportunities to produce electricity on a regional or community scale. What does a decentralized energy future look like? What makes it possible? And how... READ ON

Who Are Your Nerd Heroes?

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion...1. Happy Geek Pride Day! When you were growing up (or now), who were your nerd heroes? I ask because I'm pushing for a mental_floss nerd hero poster series. Who deserves to be included?2. I just heard someone use the phrase, "I wish I could un-see that!"... READ ON

Ask a Question and Win This Book!

I need a favor. On Wednesday — and if it goes well, at least once a month — we're going to chain Matt Soniak to his desk and make him answer 20 Big Questions.* Is there anything you've been dying to know? Leave a comment with your question suggestion. We'll pick one person at random and send them a copy of Joel Stein's new book Man Made: A Stupid Quest for Masculinity. And if we answer your question this week, we'll send you a mental_floss t-shirt. The stakes are high! Stacy Conradt and Kathy... READ ON

Photos of Yesterday's Solar Eclipse That Won't Damage Your Eyes

© Katsuro Okazawa/AFLO/Nippon News/Corbis Ethan warned you yesterday about staring at a solar eclipse. If you weren't able to find a pair of welding goggles or don't live where the eclipse was visible, BuzzFeed's Matt Stopera rounded up 50 eclipse photos from Asia and the western... READ ON

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Great or Terrible Things That Happened on Facebook

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. On to this week's topics of discussion... © Rick Friedman/Corbis, 2004 1. Today is the big Facebook IPO. There are people who document every inch of their lives on the social network, and there are people who interject their hatred of the company every time it's mentioned. For everyone in between,... READ ON

We Lost Jim Henson 22 Years Ago Today

Image via zhurnaly [Flickr] Last year Chris Higgins put together some touching and heartbreaking clips from Henson's memorial services. Not suitable for work, if sobbing uncontrollably at your work is frowned... READ ON

Thank You to Everyone Who Mentioned Us on This Reddit Thread

Reddit must have like 50 million readers. A few hours ago, Alatorr gave us a shout out halfway down this thread about the most intellectually stimulating websites. Traffic has been pouring in ever since. Additional virtual high fives to somecrazybroad, RU_FKM, M4RTEL, LizzyBreal, catgirl667, Chrispanic, bafl1, and dankula, who showed us some love, too. And if you're looking for new reading material, I've found plenty of great sites on the list that are new to... READ ON

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Your Favorite Computer Games Growing Up

On Fridays, I post a series of unrelated questions meant to spark conversation in the comments. Answer one, answer all, respond to someone else's reply (you really can do that now!), whatever you want. Today has been a little crazy with all these 11 lists, so I've warmed up some previous topics... 1. I recently found myself in a "Wow, am I really doing this?" moment at Stop & Shop, and not in a good or exciting way—I was returning grapes. During my three-year stint as an A&P cashier (and Tuesday... READ ON

19 Amazing Facts About Stuff We Saw at Toys R Us

Over on Instagram, we've been taking pictures of things and offering up slightly amusing facts about them. So far we've toured a grocery store and public library. Next up: Toys R... READ ON

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