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.

18 Movies to Get You Into the Thanksgiving Spirit

Our closest evolutionary cousin, the chimpanzee.

7 Misconceptions About Evolution

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

Watch Retro Ouija Board Commercials From the 1990s

How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?

The modern version does not include any flames.

The Fiery Halloween Tradition That Gave Us Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples, though sometimes comparable to dunking your head in a cesspool of saliva, wasn’t always the kid-friendly activity we know today.

Nancy Barnett’s family would not allow a road to disturb her final resting place.

The Reason There’s a Gravesite in the Middle of an Indiana Road

This isn't something you want to pass late at night.

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.

A face no one with coulrophobia wants to see.

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.

Pinpoint the perfect weekend for leaf-peeping.

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.

Astronomically speaking, fall doesn’t start until late September.

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.

Take your crossword puzzle skills to the next level with these tips.

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.

A three-day weekend makes bidding farewell to summer a little easier.

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.

Apple pie is a classic fall treat for Americans.

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.

Mario Van Peebles swings and misses in ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ (1987).

The 50 Worst Sequels of All Time, According to Rotten Tomatoes

These franchises should have ended with the first movie.