Yesterday we showcased some of the world's most eccentric interspecies adoptions. From picking up chicks to big cat wrangling, Part II of our Mother's Day Interspecies Adoption Special looks at the adoption habits of man's best friend. 1.... READ ON
Look, I'm cynical and abrasive, but even I get gooey when it comes to stuff like this. What happens when animals lose their mothers? Well, erm. They usually die. But sometimes they don't. (Trying to be optimistic here. Happy Mother's Day!) Sometimes they get adopted—sometimes by completely different species. And it's awkward, but usually quite cute, and also reassuring to know that despite biological differences, different species can coexist peacefully, and that maternal instincts cross... READ ON
Every town has a Broadway or a Main Street. And while some are more exciting than others, they all kind of look the same. Here's a look at six famous American streets, and what makes them so special. Canal Street, New Orleans,... READ ON
When First Twin Jenna Bush is married this weekend in Crawford, Texas, she'll be the first presidential child since 1992 to tie the knot while Dad's in office. That year, Jenna's aunt, Dorothy Walker Bush—younger sister of George W. and youngest child of George H.W.—married Robert B. Koch, in a quiet ceremony at Camp David. Jenna's betrothed, Henry Hager, is described as "a former aide to the president." According to Doug Wead, author of All the... READ ON
1. Mother of the Pharaohs As with many of our calendar-specific events and customs, some of the earliest records of a society honoring a mother can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, who held an annual festival for the goddess Isis, sometimes referred to as the Mother of the Pharaohs. Given the following list of a.k.a.'s, it's no wonder she had her own day of celebration (top this moms!): Queen of Heaven, Mother of the Gods, The One Who is All, Lady of Green Crops, The Brilliant One in the... READ ON
There's no denying that cola aficionados have refined palettes. They can tell a vintage RC Cola just from the nose, and their cellars are stocked full of Shasta, Tab and Pepsi Kona. Needless to say, they weren't born this way. They've spent years cultivating their knowledge base, and getting refills at soda counters. If you're looking to refine your carbonated smarts, though, mental_floss can help. In honor of Coca-Cola being invented today (way back in 1886!), we've... READ ON
At some point next year, the oft-delayed All American Football League might actually start playing games. With any luck, the upstart league will be able to carve away a little bit of the NFL's massive market while giving players like Eric Crouch and Peter Warrick another shot at gridiron glory. It's a tough proposition, though; history is littered with the tales of fledgling professional sports leagues that flamed out quickly. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. The National Bowling... READ ON
When you gotta go, you can't be too picky. A clean and functioning toilet will usually do just fine. However, thanks to money and imagination, some restrooms end up standing head and shoulders above the others. The Bathroom Diaries looks at public restrooms around the world. In 2006 they handed out Golden Plunger Awards. The top winner was Hundertwasser's Kawakawa Toilets at Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Artist Frederick Hundertwasser incorporated stained glass, mosaic tile, cobblestone floors,... READ ON
The short answer is that no one really knows. The long answer is that no one really knows, but there are plenty of interesting theories: 1. The idea that we yawn to get rid of carbon dioxide and take in more oxygen has been disproved by research, but persists as the "common wisdom" answer. According to this theory, people breathe more slowly when they're bored or tired and less oxygen gets to the lungs. As CO2 builds up in the blood, the brain reflexively prompts a deep,... READ ON
The Dick Van Dyke Show may seem dated in some ways, but it broke so much TV ground in an otherwise staid era that it still remains fresh in my mind. Here are 6 things everyone ought to know about The Dick Van Dyke Show. 1. It was all Carl Reiner's Idea From 1950-54, Carl Reiner cut his show business teeth as a writer/performer on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows. His fellow writers on the show included the famous (Mel Brooks) and not-so-famous (Selma Diamond, who would later portray bailiff... READ ON
5 Questions: Yoga Poses
Troy McClure Film or Actual Terrible Movie?
Albert Einstein never learned how to drive.
