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What did Scrooge mean when he said “Bah! Humbug!” anyway?

The meaning of ‘Bah, humbug!’ is a little more layered than what people normally attribute to Ebenezer Scrooge of ‘A Christmas Carol.’

There was something for every type of reader on MentalFloss.com in 2023.

Once again, Mental Floss readers proved to be curious about all sorts of niche topics—and our editors and writers were happy to oblige their interests.

'Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey' (2023) did not have a sweet run at the box office.

You've never heard of most of these movies. There's good reason for that.

Whether it's tea or a great gift card, these gifts are in the bag.

Discover 10 of the best last-minute gifts to give this holiday season, including MasterClass, Nuuly, Blue Apron, and more.

There's a hamper hidden among the presents—can you spot it?

The record for solving the puzzle is 30 seconds. Can you beat that time?

When it comes to hacks for canned cinnamon rolls, this one is as easy as it is effective.

It wasn't always associated with the holidays.

The hardy plant’s ability to stay vibrant through the winter made it a natural choice for pre-Christian winter festivals, but why is holly now associated with Christmas?

‘The Carol Singers,’ a 1927 print by D.M. Wheeler.

These obscure Christmas songs from the early 20th century might become your new favorite carols.

In 1994, Coca-Cola introduced a soda for the grunge era. It left a bitter taste.

George Washington's preferred eggnog recipe calls for four kinds of booze—and none of them in small quantities.

Everyone thought Pleasant Rowland’s idea was terrible. Thankfully, she didn’t listen. Now there’s a new American Girl movie in development, making it the perfect time to read up on what you might not have known about these beloved dolls.

It's Barbie's world—and there are plenty of themed gifts to go around.

This holiday season, think pink with these incredible Barbie gifts for fans of the toy and Greta Gerwig's recent blockbuster.

You may want to think twice about sneaking a cookie.

A recent study found a link between artificial sweeteners in ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of depression.

Traveling with two sharp sticks can get a little tricky.

From a profane parrot to an exploding corpse to swapped (and dropped) bodies, the funerals on this list went terribly awry.

If you want to make the London Eye part of your British vacation, be prepared to wait.

If you want to get the full tourist experience, waiting in line is unavoidable.

The Yule Lads didn't always look like Santa.

Thirteen bearded wild men descend upon Icelandic homes to reward children who behave and punish those who don’t.

Make these for Santa and guarantee your spot on the nice list.

They look gourmet, but with help from a frozen ingredient chefs swear by, these cookies come together fast.

Good news! Wearing yoga pants may inspire you to go to the gym more often.

Got a New Year’s resolution to go to the gym more often? Here are a few tips to help you stick to your goals.

HSAs and FSAs don’t work in exactly the same ways.

The differences between HSAs and FSAs include how they’re set up, how much you can contribute, and who qualifies.

Several health ailments hindered the Tudors.

The powerful royal family was not immune to the many illnesses of the 16th century.

St. Nicholas and the dastardly Père Fouettard.

Père Fouettard, or “Father Whipper,” is a butcher whose favorite pastime is eating children. And hanging out with St. Nicholas.

Your favorite homebody is sure to appreciate any of the gifts on this list.

Liven up your singing of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by subbing in these old—and occasionally strange—lyrics.

What Does “Bah, Humbug!” Actually Mean?

Our 25 Most Popular Stories of 2023

Net Zero: The 10 Worst Movies of 2023, According to Rotten Tomatoes

10 of the Best Last-Minute Gifts That Will Make It in Time for Christmas

Can You Find the Hamper Hidden Among the Presents?

How to Make Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls As Moist As Fresh-Baked Cinnabons

Why Is Holly a Symbol of Christmas?

15 Vintage Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

OK Soda: The '90s Soft Drink for Gen X That Fell Flat

George Washington’s Extra-Boozy Eggnog Recipe Will Knock You Sideways

25 Fascinating Facts About American Girl Dolls

10 Gifts for the Barbie Lover in Your Life

Sugary Snacks and Drinks Could Be Making You Depressed

Can You Bring Knitting Needles On a Plane?

9 Funerals Gone Wrong

The 20 Tourist Attractions With the Most Notorious Lines

Iceland’s Yule Lads Bring Gifts, Steal Meat

11 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Go to the Gym

HSA vs. FSA: What’s the Difference?

10 Medical Misfortunes that Plagued the Tudor Royal Family

Move Over, Krampus: France’s Père Fouettard Is St. Nick’s Sidekick—and Possibly a Brutal Murderer

10 Great Gifts for Introverts

15 Alternative Lyrics From Old Versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”