
Latest Articles

The Greek Myth Behind the Word “Echo” Is Incredibly Tragic
The word traces back to a heartbreaking myth of unrequited love, loss, and a voice that could never truly be heard.
Quiz Around the World Geography Competition
Join Mental Floss’s geography competition to test your knowledge on all things countries, states, landmarks, and more.
Quizzes





Weekly Spotlight
History

The Mental Floss Newsletter
A little smarter, a little weirder, and way more fun than the average email.
Reader Favorites
More Stories

8 Fast-Food Toys Every Millennial Begged Their Parents to Buy
Today's kids meal toys could never compare to the awesome toys we got in the '90s.
8 Things Every Living Room Had in the 1980s
From outdated technology to past home decor fads, chances are your living room looked like this in the ‘80s.
Every 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' Movie, Ranked By Rotten Tomatoes
From Peter Jackson's trilogies to animated films from the '70s and '80s, here are all the 'Lord of the Rings' adaptations, ranked on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Sweet Story Behind Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie"
The lyrics of Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie" come from a poem by the late '50s rock star's mother.
Why Do We Use the Phrase "Elephant in the Room"?
The phrase "elephant in the room" wasn't always about awkward topics. Here's how the idiom evolved over the past two centuries.
6 Misconceptions About the Wild West
The Wild West is associated with lawlessness, near constant violence, dusty towns filled with gun-toting, and Stetson-wearing cowboys. But just how much of this image is true?
Why Are Fire Hydrants Different Colors?
It depends on the location, but there are very important rules to the color of fire hydrants.
Why So Many Early Amusement Parks Were Built Near Graveyards
Affordability, location, and other logistics led amusement parks and cemeteries to overlap frequently in the 19th century.
Frank Sinatra's Least Favorite Frank Sinatra Songs
Some of the crooner's most beloved classics were his least favorite to perform.



































