Emily Petsko

Joined: Apr 10, 2018

Emily Petsko is a former staff writer at Mental Floss. Her writing has appeared in Lonely Planet, The Guardian, and several lifestyle publications in Asia.

Are You Smart Enough to Pass Thomas Edison’s Impossible Employment Test?

Roderick Eime, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY 2.0

Titanic II Is Preparing to Set Sail in 2022, and You Can Be On Board

Why ‘Run’ Is The Most Complex Word in the English Language

Red hair and freckles are two traits partially determined by genes.

13 Facts About Genes

Airfares are often cheaper on the holiday itself.

10 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

While we can’t promise that your journey to grandma’s house this year will be enjoyable, we know of a few travel tips to make it less stressful.

All this sugar would have horrified the inventor of graham crackers.

Graham Crackers Were Invented to Combat the Evils of Coffee, Alcohol, and Masturbation

Social media users regularly joke about the origins of the simple graham cracker as a way to curtail sexual impulses. And while it might sound bizarre, this is one viral trend that is based in truth.

You Can Use Your FSA or HSA Card to Pay for Medical Items on Amazon

Don't want to make an unnecessary trip to the store to pick up eye drops or sunscreen? You can order them online, using the pre-tax money in your account.

This Wall Chart Shows Every Species in the Cat Kingdom

From the humble house cat to the pointy-eared lynx.

Get your new year off to a stellar start.

15 Products to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Here are 15 products that can help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions, including innovative water bottles, notebooks, and more.

7 Surprising Facts About Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen once stayed with Charles Dickens. By the end of the five-week visit, Dickens was so exasperated with Andersen he ended the friendship.

Here’s the Real (No Good) Reason Glasses Are So Expensive

You're getting ripped off, big time.

6 Facts About Sojourner Truth, the 19th-Century Abolitionist and Feminist

While Truth wasn't her real name, 19th-century abolitionist and feminist Sojourner Truth made it her life's mission.

This dachshund wants you to know you're probably mispronouncing the name of his breed.

The Right Way to Pronounce 'Dachshund'

Dachshund is actually made up of two smaller German words (dachs, which means “badger,” and hund, which means “dog”) and it's not pronounced “dash-hound.”

If you swear you’ve seen Bloody Mary, you may have experienced the Troxler effect.

Bloody Mary: Why We Think We See Ghosts in Mirrors

The spooky Bloody Mary phenomenon has a scientific explanation.

Two-toed and three-toed sloths? Not the same thing.

13 Chill Facts About Sloths

Why are sloths so slow? Discover these fascinating facts about sloths, from their unique anatomy to their surprising swimming abilities.

Find out what book was a best seller the year you were born—and add it to your TBR pile.

What Was the Bestselling Book the Year You Were Born? This Online Tool Tells You

Can you guess which author spent the most time on ‘The New York Times’ bestseller list? (Hint: It isn't J.K. Rowling or Stephen King.)