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Think about it: have you ever heard someone say they had “extenuating errands”? These eight words are only used in a very specific context.
Sam Hindman|
Think twice before responding if someone calls you one of these words.
Sam Hindman|
Go with ‘goozlum’ instead of ‘gravy’ this Thanksgiving.
Angela Tung|
You wouldn’t think twice about these everyday habits and activities, but they weren’t always the norm.
Paul Anthony Jones|
The words these authors have come up with to create their worlds have transcended fiction.
Lorna Wallace|
You might not second-guess these common phrases, but they come from surprising origins.
Cat DiStasio|
Start sprinkling bumfuzzle, taradiddle, and collywobbles into everyday conversation—but maybe let quomodocunquizing rest in obsolescent peace where it belongs.
Cat DiStasio|
Euphemisms allow us to discuss some grim or controversial topics employing a more palatable turn of phrase. These expressions were coined to disguise everything from capital punishments to diseases, death, slavery, and cannibalism.
Paul Anthony Jones|
No matter your favorite genre, you can find surprisingly uplifting books amongst the darkness.
Chris Wheatley|
The latest ‘Knives Out’ film is now playing in select theaters. Here are the five mystery books that clearly inspired writer-director Rian Johnson.
Michael Boyle|
The most beloved stories all take their inspiration from somewhere. In these seven cases, it comes from real towns in the United States.
Alexandria Ingham|
Try to not finish these 15 short, fast-paced books in one weekend.
Sam Hindman|
Many Stephen King books will take you a good week (or more) to get through—but not these. These are five great reads that you can get through in a weekend.
Alexandria Ingham|
Looking to add to your TBR? These are the most popular books on social media.
Tim Brinkhof|
From falsified memoirs to forged manuscripts, these literary hoaxes prove once again that reality can often be stranger than fiction.
Colin Scanlon|
Relive these incredible stories with road trips of your own.
Tim Brinkhof|
Whether you're a holiday fanatic who wants even more reason to celebrate the month or a Scrooge with a burning desire to buck tradition, we've got plenty of offbeat observances to put on your December calendar.
mentalfloss .com|
There’s more to it than chocolate-filled calendars.
Suzanne Raga|
No cable Christmas movie marathon would be complete without Hershey's Kisses’s “Christmas Bells” commercial.
Kerry Wolfe|
Want to spend the holidays like you’re in a heartwarming movie? Check out these towns.
Sam Hindman|
Yes, reindeer are real—but no, they can’t fly.
Jill Harness|
It may be tempting to channel your inner Disney princess and befriend (or at least, attempt to befriend) every animal you come across. But wildlife is always better left alone. 
Kerry Wolfe|
Love animals? Then you‘ll want to add to these 10 countries to your bucket list.
CaLea Johnson|
From Martha the passenger pigeon to Lonesome George the Pinta Island tortoise, these endlings had an unfortunate claim to fame.
Michele Debczak|
Older animals can still make great companions—here’s what to consider when looking to add one to your family.
Garin Pirnia|
Careful study of surviving documents and specimens, as well as a little science, have revealed a bit about the dodo.
Erin McCarthy|
The flying mammals aren’t nearly as scary as these myths suggest.
Sonya Vatomsky|
Cats have attracted a lot of different superstitions over the years—some easier to believe than others.
Mental Floss UK|
 These infamous prisoners unexpectedly validate the adage “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Colin Scanlon|
Real crime fighters might not have superpowers, but these tactics are the next best thing.
Maggie Koerth-Baker|
The phrase “ripped from the headlines” doesn’t just apply to 'Law & Order' episodes. Songwriters throughout the history of popular music have drawn inspiration from real-life tales of murder and mayhem.
Kenneth Partridge|
Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like there’s a new—and wildly successful—book, podcast, or show devoted to a crime. Which raises the question: Why are we so obsessed with true crime? Here’s what the experts have to say.
Erin McCarthy|
If you’re looking to wow a crowd with fun, obscure facts and tidbits about all things Christmas, we have you covered—and we’ve also sprinkled in a handful of holiday quizzes so you can test your knowledge, too.
Kerry Wolfe|
Life is bursting with pairs of commonly confused things—we’ll teach you how to tell a bunch of them apart.
Ellen Gutoskey|
Video games have been around for many decades—so it’s no surprise a number of myths and rumors have cropped up surrounding them.
Meredith Danko|
Stop doom scrolling and fill your brain with these fascinating—and utterly random—facts instead.
Jon Mayer|
The right ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ card could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Rudie Obias|
If you held on to an original copy of “Super Mario 64” from the 1990s, you could be rich.
Rudie Obias|
New research reveals the gaming consoles that consume the most energy.
CaLea Johnson|