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.
10 Facts About Your Favorite Thanksgiving Foods
11 Thanksgiving Dishes the Pilgrims Didn't Eat
18 Movies to Get You Into the Thanksgiving Spirit
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.