Erin McCarthy
Joined: Nov 21, 2012
Erin is the Editor-in-Chief of MentalFloss.com, host of The List Show and Throwback on YouTube, editor of Mental Floss's book The Curious Reader, and the creator, executive producer, and host of the History Vs. podcast. She joined Mental Floss in 2012. Previously, she covered everything from natural disasters to bridge engineering to the science behind sci-fi movies for Popular Mechanics magazine. Her work has appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine, Town and Country, Parents, and Esquire. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her karaoking, reading, or hanging out with her cats, Oliver and Pearl. She lives in New York.
2000s Slang: 30 Amazeballs Terms You Should Know
12 Surprising Facts About Manatees
33 Fun Facts About Buffy the Vampire Slayer
21 Funny Facts About Schitt's Creek
How reality TV and an heiress inspired the show's iconic characters—plus many more behind-the-scenes facts about 'Schitt's Creek.'
30 Different Ways to Say "Fart"
Over the course of history, the human race has come up with many delightfully creative ways to describe the act of breaking wind.
Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena"
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better."
30 Unusual Presidential Nicknames—And How They Were Acquired
From the obscure (“American Fabius") to the sports-related (“Barry O'Bomber”), here are just a few of the most colorful presidential nicknames.
10 Misconceptions About the 1950s
The ‘50s weren't all nuclear families with white picket fences and questionable Jell-o recipes.
Frost Bite: When Sub-Zero Temperatures Shattered an Antarctic Explorer’s Teeth
“Polar exploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having a bad time which has been devised,” he later wrote.
Does the Full Moon Really Make People Act Strangely?
Along with Mercury in retrograde, the full moon is a pretty popular scapegoat for bad luck and bizarre behavior. Is it warranted?
5 Fascinating True Crime Books to Read, Recommended by Casey Sherman
Casey Sherman’s latest book, ‘A Murder in Hollywood,’ covers a sensational crime involving actress Lana Turner and the mob. The author discusses the book alongside some of his favorite recent reads.
What’s the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?
Are frogs and toads really that different? Get the facts on their appearance, habitats, and breeding habits and learn how to tell them apart.
Why Did Pirates Wear Eye Patches?
Did pirates wear eye patches to see better in the dark? Find out the truth behind the iconic style choice.
12 Fascinating Facts about Vladimir Nabokov’s ‘Lolita’
Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel, which was rejected by multiple American publishers, features multiple allusions to Edgar Allan Poe and references a real-life kidnapping.
10 Awesome MS-DOS Games You Can Play in Your Browser
The Internet Archive has more than 8500 MS-DOS games online, and they’re playable in nearly any browser. Prepare to kiss your free time goodbye.