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.
How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
The Fiery Halloween Tradition That Gave Us Bobbing for Apples
The Reason There’s a Gravesite in the Middle of an Indiana Road
5 Famous Authors Who Were Awarded MacArthur “Genius” Grants
‘Severance’ author Ling Ma is a 2024 MacArthur Fellow; here are some other famous authors who were awarded the grants.
Does a Realtor Have to Disclose That a House Is Supposedly Haunted?
The answer depends on where you hope to live.
Why Are We So Scared of Clowns?
Clowns have a long and spooky history.
Can You Find the Ghost Hiding Among the Skeletons?
Get ready for spooky season with this Halloween-themed brainteaser.
Get Excited for Fall With the 2024 Peak Foliage Map
Can't wait for fall? Start planning the ultimate leaf-peeping expedition now with this interactive map showing peak foliage predictions for 2024.
What You Should Know About the 2024 Fall Equinox
The fall equinox lands on Sunday, September 22 this year. Here’s what you need to know about the first day of autumn.
8 Helpful Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles
If you want to raise your crossword game to the next level, grab a pencil (not a pen!) and follow these tips for success.
Why Is Labor Day Always Celebrated on a Monday?
Like Memorial Day and Presidents Day, Labor Day falls on a Monday each year. To understand how the federal holiday came to be, you need a brief history lesson in labor politics.
How Did Apple Pie Become an Iconic American Dessert?
The phrase “American as apple pie“ leaves out the dish’s complicated history as an English dessert made of fruit that originated in Asia.
The 50 Worst Sequels of All Time, According to Rotten Tomatoes
These franchises should have ended with the first movie.
A Brief History of Bagels
The bagel’s success is undeniable, but its path to breakfast dominance wasn’t straightforward.
These Lemon Cherry Scones Are Equal Parts Fancy and Simple
The Institute of Culinary Education has developed a foolproof recipe for tender, cakey scones.