# Mental Floss

> Founded in a Duke University dorm room in 2001, Mental Floss exists to answer life’s big questions, uncover fascinating facts, and surface stories so compelling that readers can’t help but share them. We empower the curious by making knowledge feel surprising and delightful.

Mental Floss has won four Webby Awards (including a People’s Choice Webby in 2020), been nominated for an ASME award, and published 15 books, five board games, and a fact-of-the-day calendar. 

We reach millions of users per month across our site, social media accounts, and popular YouTube channel.

## About
- [About Mental Floss](https://www.mentalfloss.com/about-us): About Mental Floss and our mission
- [Contact Us](https://www.mentalfloss.com/contact-us): Contact Mental Floss

## Content Sections
- [Amazing Facts](https://www.mentalfloss.com/amazingfactgenerator): Fascinating facts about the world
- [Big Questions](https://www.mentalfloss.com/section/big-questions): Answers to life's big questions
- [Entertainment](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment): Entertainment trivia and features
- [Geography](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography): Geography and travel features
- [History](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history): Historical facts and stories
- [Holidays](https://www.mentalfloss.com/holidays): Holiday history and traditions
- [Language](https://www.mentalfloss.com/language): Words, slang, and language facts
- [Quizzes](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes): Trivia quizzes and brain teasers

## Latest Articles


[The Most Popular Toy the Year You Were Born](https://www.mentalfloss.com/fun/toys/most-popular-toy-year-born): From Etch A Sketch to Easy-Bake Oven to iPad, this toy was all the rage the year you were born.
[Quiz: Can You Identify the David Lynch Movie From One Character?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/identify-david-lynch-movie-one-character): In time for ‘Blue Velvet’s 40th anniversary on September 19, test your knowledge of David Lynch films.
[6 Foods Pirates Really Ate at Sea](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/foods-pirates-ate-sea): The strange, salty, and sometimes surprising foods pirates survived on at sea.
[Inside Nance O’Neil’s Mysterious Relationship With Lizzie Borden](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/lizzie-borden-nance-o-neil-mysterious-relationship): The world never let Lizzie Borden move on from the murders, but she may have found friendship and intimacy with one of the most celebrated actresses in the country.
[The Disastrous Visit That Ended Hans Christian Andersen and Charles Dickens' Friendship](https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/hans-christian-andersen-charles-dickens-visit): Hans Christian Andersen stayed with Charles Dickens for five weeks in 1857, a visit their relationship did not survive.
[100 "Fun Facts About Me" Ideas for People Who Have Zero Party Tricks ](https://www.mentalfloss.com/random-facts/fun-facts-about-me-icebreaker-ideas): Dreading the inevitable icebreaker round? Here are 100 genuinely interesting "fun facts about me" ideas—from fun facts about travel to pets—for anyone who doesn't have a flashy party trick.
[Every State's Favorite Board Game, Ranked By Most Popular](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/every-states-favorite-board-game-ranked): Discover every U.S. state's favorite board game according to research from Bandpass Design, ranging from classic Monopoly to modern strategy hits.
[How 16th-Century Noblewoman Elizabeth Báthory Became Known as the ‘Blood Countess’](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/elizabeth-bathory-blood-countess): The latest portrayal of the alleged serial killer comes in Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.’ Learn all about Elizabeth Báthory and how her legend has lived in infamy.
[What Do Biblically Accurate Angels Actually Look Like?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/religion/what-do-biblically-accurate-angels-look-like): From the seraphim and cherubim to Archangel Michael and the famous many-eyed wheels, angels take many forms—and many names—in the Bible.
[5 Myths About the Lizzie Borden Case Most People Believe](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/lizzie-borden-murder-case-myths): The facts of the Lizzie Borden case have faded to make way for the shock-and-awe myths that came with a rhyme.
[The Mystery of Hildegard von Bingen’s Secret Language](https://www.mentalfloss.com/the-mystery-of-hildegard-von-bingen-s-secret-language-01m2nnnps7fh): Visions inspired the legendary abbess Hildegard von Bingen to create the Lingua Ignota, the world's  oldest documented constructed language. The purpose behind it remains a mystery.
[Quiz: How Quickly Can You Name the ’90s Movie From the Love Interest?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-90s-movie-love-interest): A great movie romance is always memorable, but can you get a perfect score on this ‘90s quiz?
[The Bruce Willis Movie He Called Relatable—and the One He Regretted Making](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/movies/bruce-willis-movie-relatable-one-regretted-making): "There was no one in it you could root for."
[5 Jobs Most Medieval Women Actually Did](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/jobs-women-had-medieval-era): Think medieval women were stuck strictly at home? From crop managers to power-broker businesswomen, discover five surprising jobs women held in the Middle Ages.
[The Hispanic Inventors Behind Things You Use Every Day](https://www.mentalfloss.com/science/engineering/hispanic-inventors-behind-everyday-objects): From color television to CAPTCHAs, Hispanic scientists, engineers, and artists have been behind countless game-changing inventions. 
[Did Lizzie Borden Really Kill Her Parents? The Answer Is Very Complicated](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/did-lizzie-borden-kill-her-parents-complicated): Signs pointed to Borden’s guilt, but there was not enough physical evidence to prove it.
[The David Bowie Classic He Finished in a Single Afternoon](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/david-bowie-classic-finished-single-afternoon): "I started working it out on the piano and had the whole lyric and melody finished by late afternoon."
[6 Foods Families Really Ate During the Great Depression](https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/foods-families-ate-great-depression): Depression-era families got creative with ingredients as they struggled to make ends meet.
[The Fastest Growing Jobs in the United States, Ranked](https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/jobs/fastest-growing-jobs-united-states-ranked): Discover the fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. over the next decade according to the BLS—led by six-figure healthcare positions and booming green energy careers.
[The Top Song From Every Year in the 1980s](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/top-song-every-year-1980s): The '80s saw songs by George Michael, Prince, Blondie, and The Police top the charts. Read about the biggest hit songs of the decade, according to Billboard.
[Agatha Christie's Favorite (and Least Favorite) Agatha Christie Books](https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/agatha-christie-favorite-least-favorite-agatha-christie-books): Agatha Christie had her own favorite mysteries—and a few she couldn't stand. Discover the Christie books she loved most and the ones she wished readers would stop recommending.
[Would You Have Survived the Salem Witch Trials?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/would-survived-salem-witch-trials): Almost anyone could be accused of practicing witchcraft in 1692, but specific individuals were singled out for suspicion. 
[Every State’s Favorite Game Show, Mapped](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/maps/every-states-favorite-game-show): The most popular game shows across the country include nostalgic titles no longer on air, as well as some modern favorites.
[Agatha Christie's 11-Day Disappearance May Not Be Such a Mystery After All](https://www.mentalfloss.com/authors/agatha-christie-11-day-disappearance): In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days. She herself later explained the circumstances behind her legendary disappearance in an interview, revealing that a mental health crisis was behind her absence.
[The Beatles Songs Paul McCartney Would Use to Introduce the Band to Aliens ](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/beatles-songs-paul-mccartney-introduce-band-aliens): If aliens asked what made the Beatles so special, these are the songs Paul McCartney would play first.
[Quiz: Only Serious Film Buffs Can Name These Classics From the Fictional Town](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-classic-movie-fictional-town): Fictional towns pop up in most movies, but how well do you remember them?
[15 Iconic Photos of Amy Winehouse That Will Bring You Back to Black](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/amy-winehouse-iconic-photos): Celebrate Amy Winehouse’s legacy with 15 rare photos tracing her career from her 2003 debut album 'Frank' to global superstardom and iconic Camden street style.
[Quiz: How Many Agatha Christie Book Titles Can You Complete From Memory?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quiz-how-many-agatha-christie-book-titles-can-you-complete-from-memory-01m2gftaw8jj): Test out your sleuthing skills and see how many Agatha Christie books you can correctly name with this literary quiz.
[The Island Nation That's Slowly Disappearing—and Recreating Itself in the Metaverse](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/tuvalu-disappearing-metaverse-project): Tuvalu is building a digital recreation of itself in case it becomes entirely uninhabitable due to rising sea levels.
[How Much Did a House Cost the Year You Were Born?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/live-smarter/money/how-much-house-cost-year-born): From budget buys to sky-high prices, see how much the average home cost in your birth year.
[Quiz: How Fast Can You Pick the First Word in the 2010s Hit Song Title?](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/music/pick-first-word-2010s-hit-song-title): The 2010s were...perhaps not as recent as you think. Test your knowledge of the biggest musical hits of the era with this quiz, then read more about how streaming and social media changed music permanently during this decade.
[The Best—And Worst—Months to Book Hotels in the Most Popular U.S. Cities](https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/cities/best-worst-months-hotels-popular-cities): Beware of price surges during certain times of the year for these 20 popular U.S. cities.
[The Song Paul Anka Wrote for Sammy Davis Jr. That He Still Loves Performing](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/paul-anka-song-wrote-sammy-davis-jr-loves-performing): The Paul Anka song was first released in 1973 and has been covered by multiple notable artists.
[6 Famous Rock Stars With Surprisingly Ordinary First Jobs](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/famous-rock-stars-with-ordinary-first-jobs): From Rod Stewart's stint at a cemetery worker to Sting's job as a teacher, even some of the biggest rockers of all time had day jobs.
[Quiz: Identify Which Disney Movies Start With the Word “The” in 3 Minutes or Less](https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/disney/identify-disney-movies-start-with-the): Many movie titles start with the word “the.” How many Disney movies can you name before time’s up?
[The Jazz Legend Amy Winehouse Said Taught Her How to Sing](https://www.mentalfloss.com/entertainment/music/jazz-legend-taught-amy-winehouse-to-sing): Amy Winehouse has cited many musical influences, from Frank Sinatra to Sarah Vaughan, but Dinah Washington had a singular influence on her vocal delivery.

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