Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS

Turns out, there's a reason for it.

Ever wonder why the new year officially starts on January 1? Turns out, you can thank Pope Gregory XIII—and Julius Caesar.

This will last a while.

Giant piles of nasty, filthy snow will still line your streets, long after the most recent winter storm. What gives?

End-of-year smooching has roots in the parties of ancient Rome, but Thomas Edison had a part to play, too.

Jesus’s birthday is subject to interpretation, and there are plenty of intriguing theories to explain how we landed on December 25 to celebrate Christmas.

This has become a distinctly Christmastime saying.

Nobody will think you’re talking about baseball season, open season, or any other season. But why?

Kids know where to send their letters.

While it might seem a little more magical if we told you that nobody really knows why Santa lives there, there is a relatively traceable paper trail.

Merry Christmas?

Americans favor 'Merry Christmas,' while Brits opt for 'Happy Christmas.' Here's how we got here.

One of Santa's helpers.

Myths about elves predate Christmas and Christianity itself.

A person waving with question marks around them

Looking at the origins of this Jeep-owner tradition.

She probably won't mind the waxier chocolate.

Chocolate is chocolate, isn’t it? If so, then why does the chocolate you find in many Advent calendars taste so weird?

A person decorating a Christmas tree

The history of why people started using popcorn as Christmas tree decor.

Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.

Why do the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always take to the field for a Thanksgiving football game? Because it’s tradition! But how did this tradition begin?

Christmas carolers performing

Learn about the origins of the yearly tradition, which stems from Ancient Rome.

Water spraying

Breaking down a common belief and what you should know before trying it.

Arlington National Cemetery Prepares For Army's 250th Birthday

Some mourners leave coins at grave sites rather than flowers. Here's what each denomination means.

A person’s legs and feet with colorful socks

Our bodies’ connection to sound and movement is more significant than we realize.

Rubber ducks

The dashboard of a Jeep isn’t the only place you’ll find a rubber duck.

Pancakes, coins

The interesting origins of silver dollar pancakes.

Cup of coffee in a diner

You may or may not have realized the universally used mugs in American diners. There’s actually a surprising history to explain why.

You know you want a bite.

Pumpkin pie was actually born in Europe—until American colonists claimed it as their own in the late 18th century.

These trees could be the start of something great.

These small forests could have a mighty impact on local ecosystems.

The northern lights over Norway.

Lucky stargazers in America have gotten the chance to see them from their own backyards lately—and may be able to again this week.

Rubber ducks

You aren’t imagining things; “ducking” is a real trend.

The of Apollo, circa the late 2nd century CE.

Many old statues from past civilizations have been disfigured in a remarkably similar way.