Michele Debczak

Joined: Aug 11, 2015

Michele Debczak is a Senior Staff Writer for Mental Floss. Some of her favorite subjects include defunct theme park rides, weird-looking sea creatures, and fast food history. When she's not writing, she's probably reading about unsolved mysteries on Wikipedia.

Not as clever of a move as you might think it is.

Should You Put Your Windshield Wipers Up or Down When It Snows?

Watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Other America” Speech

These Revised Guidelines Redefine Birth Years for Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Gen Beta

Why You Shouldn’t ‘Heat Up’ Your Car’s Engine in Cold Weather

If Your Dog Hates Booties, Use Petroleum Jelly to Protect Their Paws in the Winter

If you dread wrangling your pet into their winter booties, a swab of petroleum jelly can protect their paws from snow, ice, and salt in a pinch.

A dish of Hoppin’ John is a delicious way to start the new year.

Why Is It Lucky to Eat Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day?

The humble black-eyed pea has become a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Southern New Year's traditions.

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

What Is Figgy Pudding, Anyway?

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

The Pagan Origins of Christmas Ham

The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.

9 Festive Facts About ‘The Polar Express’

Based on the classic 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the movie follows a young Santa Claus skeptic on a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Some dishes are worth passing over on the holiday.

8 Foods That Are Considered Bad Luck on New Year’s

If you’re superstitious, consider leaving these unlucky food items off your New Year’s menu.

The turkey is always the center of attention on Thanksgiving.

10 Facts About Your Favorite Thanksgiving Foods

From canned cranberries to the world's largest helping of mac and cheese, these fun food facts will wow your Thanksgiving guests.

The Pilgrims give thanks with no turkey or mashed potatoes in sight.

11 Thanksgiving Dishes the Pilgrims Didn't Eat

When the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared the first Thanksgiving in 1621, sweet potatoes, apple pie, and turkey were missing from the table.

18 Movies to Get You Into the Thanksgiving Spirit

Before diving into Christmas content, don't forget to add these fun Thanksgiving movies to your watchlist.

Our closest evolutionary cousin, the chimpanzee.

7 Misconceptions About Evolution

‘Survival of the fittest’ is Darwin 101. But did you know that Charles Darwin didn’t actually coin that phrase? Let’s explore some common myths and misconceptions about evolution.

“Will I ever be tall enough to slam dunk?”

Watch Retro Ouija Board Commercials From the 1990s

Parker Brothers had no qualms about marketing Ouija boards to teens 30 years ago.

How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?

Beryl, Helene, Milton—recent hurricane monikers aren’t exactly the most popular girls’ and boys’ names.