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Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet made teaching sign language his mission in life.

The Listener: Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, the Father of American Sign Language

When a minister and law student met a little girl named Alice, he became determined to help her communicate with the world.

Alternate labels for Millennials include ‘Echo Boomers’ and ‘Gen Y.’

100 Amazing Facts About Millennials

Millennials might just be the most studied generation in history—and also perhaps the most misunderstood. We’re here to help separate fact from fiction.

Why Do We Scream “Geronimo” When Jumping Out of Airplanes?

Uncover why people yell “Geronimo!” when they jump—and what it has to do with a beer-fueled boast.

Snow blankets the Donner Lake area in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

10 of the Biggest Blizzards in History

The United States has hosted half of the biggest blizzards in history. Discover what makes these snowstorms so legendary.

Rockwell covers from 'The Saturday Evening Post' on display in 2011.

12 Real People Who Can Be Seen in Norman Rockwell Art

The master of Americana often drew on real people for inspiration, including one little boy who grew up to be the chairman of Nintendo.

James Gandolfini (center) in 'The Sopranos.'

Bada Bid: The Booth From ‘The Sopranos’ Finale Just Sold on eBay for $82,600

The booth where Tony Soprano may have met his untimely end is now in private hands.

The total solar eclipse in August 2017 was the last one with a path of totality across the United States.

Solar Eclipse 2024: The Mental Floss Viewing Guide

Here's everything you need to know about Great North American Eclipse, from its path of totality, to the best place to view it, to finding safe eclipse glasses.

Slang can be useful. It can also be annoying.

‘Wicked Frickin’ Cringe’: The 10 Most Loved (And Most Hated) American Slang Words

Some American slang is frickin' great. Others can be cringe. Real talk.

Who Invented Coffee?

Your daily cup of coffee has been hundreds of years in the making.

From adharcáilí to stríocálaí, these Irish words are delightful.

28 Weird and Wonderful Irish Words

To English speakers, Irish is a tough language to master. But that doesn't mean you shouldn’t give it a try.

These gripping reads shed new light on the coldest cases.

10 Gripping Nonfiction Books About History’s Greatest Mysteries

From the Dyatlov Pass incident to the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, some of the best nonfiction books about history’s greatest mysteries are so gripping, they’ll make you feel like you’re about to crack open a few cold cases yourself.

Jake Gyllenhaal stars in (another) 'Road House' (2024).

Movie Remake vs. Reboot: What's the Difference?

Pain don't hurt, but trying to understand the difference between remakes and reboots can.

If you swear you’ve seen Bloody Mary, you may have experienced the Troxler effect.

Bloody Mary: Why We Think We See Ghosts in Mirrors

The spooky Bloody Mary phenomenon has a scientific explanation.

Moviegoers were donning these glasses to take in a 3D film way before you thought they were.

8 Everyday Things That Are Much Older Than You Think

Discover the intriguing origins of everything from Oreos to Juicy Fruit gum to sparkling water, exploring their hidden histories and unexpected beginnings, from vaudeville fads to accidental inventions.

What Does the Irish Word ‘Craic’ Mean?

Here’s everything you need to know about the meaning, origin, and evolution of the Irish word ‘craic.’

What’s the Kennection? #104

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

22 Slang Terms for Money

Explore the colorful world of slang terms for money, from ‘bacon’ to ‘moolah’ and beyond.

George Miller at the premiere of "Three Thousand Years Of Longing"

11 Facts About George Miller

Even after the success of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'Happy Feet' remains George Miller's biggest hit.

The origin of ‘a piece of cake’ comes from actual cake.

The Origins of 10 Food Phrases

From ‘piece of cake’ to ‘the apple of my eye,’ these food-related phrases have fascinating histories.

The Rowe family heard unexplained noises in their home, like people falling down the staircase.

The 19th-Century “Gang of Ghosts” That Terrorized Chicago’s North Side

Discover the chilling tale of the Rowe family’s haunted household—including unseen ghosts, mysterious noises, and a lawsuit that made headlines.

Oscar Mayer is the only bologna with which America is on a first-name basis.

“My Bologna Has a First Name”: The Origins of Oscar Mayer’s Iconic Jingle

Oscar Mayer's famous jingle taught America how to spell bologna, but how did it get made in the first place?

Seems like overcrowding could be an issue.

The 25 Happiest Cities in America

Is it possible to make an objective list of cities offering your best chance of happiness? Maybe.

In Norway, ‘Texas’ Is Slang for ‘Crazy’

Norway may not seem to have much in common with Texas, but when Norwegians want to express how wild and outrageous something is, they go straight for this state-based euphemism.

Meet Elmer, Betty, and Chad—three of the most distinctive vintage baby names of past generations.

6 Distinctive Vintage Baby Names for Each of the Past 7 Generations

Discover the most distinctive vintage baby girl and baby boy names spanning the Lost Generation to Gen Z.

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