Jake Rossen
Joined: May 6, 2013
Jake Rossen is a senior staff writer for Mental Floss.
The Strange Saga of Sober Sue, Who Made a Career Out of Refusing to Laugh
‘Titanic’ Salvage Missions Placed on Indefinite Hold Thanks to Legal Issues
Why Do Cats ‘Blep’?
How to Wash Your Favorite Winter Coats at Home
Get a complete guide for how to wash winter coats, including fleece jackets, down parkas, and more.
The Surprising Origins of the ‘Guess Who?’ Game
The game of familiar faces has surprising connections to Anne Frank and fidget toys.
Why Are Some Streetlights Purple?
The emo vibe isn’t an aesthetic choice—it’s the result of degrading infrastructure.
9 Things You Should Know About Paul Newman
The actor became a salad dressing magnate and an accomplished race car driver before he ever won an Oscar.
Why Do We Call It a “Stillson Wrench”?
The imposing pipe wrench with teeth was once made out of wood.
12 Historic Facts About Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr., the Atlanta native who became one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement, helped unite a divided nation.
Airbnb Is Offering Free Stays to Victims of LA’s Wildfires
The home-sharing app is opening its doors to people displaced by LA’s current crisis.
‘A Bundle of Horridness’: The Great Teddy Bear Panic of 1907
Little kids loved them—but adults thought they were setting up girls to have no motherly instincts.
Danish-Swedish Farmdog Gains Full Recognition From the American Kennel Club
The yodeling working dog can now vie for Best in Show honors.
Why Do We Say “Up the Wazoo”?
On the possible origins of ‘wazoo,’ and why things are said to tumble out of it.
Mystery Donors Are Dropping Rare Coins Worth Thousands Into Salvation Army Kettles
The red buckets are getting more than loose change.
You Can Book a Night on a World War II Submarine Through Airbnb
Wisconsin's USS ‘Cobia’ offers guests a living history lesson via Airbnb.