Michele Debczak

Joined: Aug 11, 2015

Michele Debczak is a Senior Staff Writer for Mental Floss. Some of her favorite subjects include defunct theme park rides, weird-looking sea creatures, and fast food history. When she's not writing, she's probably reading about unsolved mysteries on Wikipedia.

The burnout is real—but so are these solutions.

7 Ways To Follow the News Without Experiencing Media Burnout

1897 year. Snowball fight colorized in 2021

Colorized Footage Captures Massive Snowball Fight From 1897

Bessie Coleman, the Black Cherokee Woman Pilot Who Made Aviation History

1 Fact About Every Best Picture Oscar Winner

Certain smells become less pungent in cold air.

What’s Really Happening When You “Smell” Snow?

The sensation is real, but it doesn't have to do with odor.

Richard Nixon opted to peace out of his successor’s swearing in ceremony.

6 Presidents Who Didn’t Attend Their Successor’s Inauguration

While skipping the incoming president’s inauguration is a break from tradition, it isn’t unprecedented.

Nobody likes to get zapped when they're bundled up.

How To Prevent Static Cling on Clothes

Discover what causes static electricity on clothes, along with how to keep it from becoming a recurring problem this season.

Not as clever of a move as you might think it is.

Should You Put Your Windshield Wipers Up or Down When It Snows?

Putting your windshield wipers up to prevent them from freezing to the glass might seem like a good idea before the next snowstorm, but you may actually be doing more harm in the long-run.

Watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Other America” Speech

The MLK quote “a riot is the language of the unheard” came from his 1967 speech on the two Americas.

These Revised Guidelines Redefine Birth Years for Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Gen Beta

The age ranges and birth years for Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Gen Beta—along with Millennials—are getting clearer (so we can all quit fighting about it now).

Why You Shouldn’t ‘Heat Up’ Your Car’s Engine in Cold Weather

Many drivers think that giving your engine time to reach its normal operating temperature is easier on your car than hitting the gas as soon as you turn the ignition on. Many drivers are wrong.

If Your Dog Hates Booties, Use Petroleum Jelly to Protect Their Paws in the Winter

If you dread wrangling your pet into their winter booties, a swab of petroleum jelly can protect their paws from snow, ice, and salt in a pinch.

A dish of Hoppin’ John is a delicious way to start the new year.

Why Is It Lucky to Eat Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day?

The humble black-eyed pea has become a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Southern New Year's traditions.

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

What Is Figgy Pudding, Anyway?

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

The Pagan Origins of Christmas Ham

The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.

9 Festive Facts About ‘The Polar Express’

Based on the classic 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the movie follows a young Santa Claus skeptic on a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.