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William Butler Yeats (L) took on Aleister Crowley (R) in a magic fight.

‘The Battle of Blythe Road’: When William Butler Yeats and Aleister Crowley Had a Magic Duel

The acclaimed poet and notorious occultist were at odds, so they decided to resolve it the old-fashioned way: by having a magic duel.

The Rivals Who Cracked the Code of Ancient Egypt’s Hieroglyphs

Following the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, two scholars battled each other to decipher the mysterious Egyptian writing system.

10 Battles That Changed History

From the World War II engagement that helped instigate a medical breakthrough to the devastating attack that indirectly contributed to the Renaissance, these battles altered the course of history.

Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson have been friends and colleagues since college.

12 Star-Powered College Roommates

Plenty of college students fret about their roommates, but be careful—that person on the lower bunk may someday win the Super Bowl.

Thousands of years of history (ages 3 and up).

A Brief History of Board Games

When is losing together more fun than winning by yourself? In this premiere episode of Mental Floss’s new series, The History of Fun, we look for an answer.

When life gives you lemons, return to the dealership.

Why Do We Call Defective Cars 'Lemons'?

Having your engine burst into flames after driving off the car lot is a sour experience. But where did the 'lemon' association come from?

These budget beauty finds could be great stocking stuffers this holiday season.

11 of the Best Beauty Gifts Under $30

These budget-friendly beauty gifts are great for makeup and skincare aficionados, and they're all under $30.

Webster's An American Dictionary of the English Language.

10 Facts About Webster’s Dictionary

Noah Webster’s two-volume 'An American Dictionary of the English Language' earned him a place in linguistic history, and a reputation as the foremost lexicographer of American English.

What's the Kennection? #32

Would be tough to use these at the same time.

18 Great Gifts for Co-Workers

The best gifts for co-workers strike the right balance between familiarity and professionalism.

10 Facts About Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary

'Dictionary of the English Language,' published in 1755, remained the foremost dictionary of British English until the early 1900s when the very first installments of the Oxford English Dictionary began to appear.

Tell us which Spice Girls facts you want—the ones you really, really want.

Slam It to the Left With These 10 Fun Facts About the Spice Girls

No one does super-fandom like the Brits, and back in late '90s, it looked as though Beatlemania might finally be outdone by the Spice Girls.

How to Use a Cricket’s Chirps as Nature’s Thermometer

The frequency of cricket chirps rises with the heat, and you can use them to estimate the temperature wherever you are—no thermometer needed.

15 Facts About Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’

Before the artist created ‘The Starry Night,’ he dedicated himself to the surreal and beautiful wonder of ‘Sunflowers.’

The more time you spend on Wikipedia, the better you'll be at Redactle.

Guess the Wikipedia Page in ‘Redactle’—The Toughest Wordle Alternative Yet

Games like Wordle are a dime a dozen these days—but Redactle is a special stumper.

11 Secrets of Paranormal Investigators

Paranormal investigators explore what goes bump in the night—and here's what they had to say about what their job is really like.

Adderall XR (extended-release) isn't part of the shortage—just the immediate-release version.

America Is in the Midst of an Adderall Shortage, FDA Says

2022’s Adderall shortage has been going on since the summer. The FDA finally made it official.

Rosanna Arquette and Madonna in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (1985).

12 Facts About 'Desperately Seeking Susan'

When filming began on 'Desperately Seeking Susan,' Madonna was an up-and-coming singer. By the time shooting wrapped, she was a bona fide superstar.

An indoor pool looks less appealing when you're alone at night.

Off the Map: Why the Internet Loves Being Creeped Out By Liminal Spaces

The liminal space aesthetic has only been around for a few years, but it triggers a primal fear that predates the internet.

The Murderer Who Helped Make the Oxford English Dictionary

The story of the OED’s most prolific contributor, a sex-addicted murderer who lived in an insane asylum.

Sci-fi lovers will get a kick out of these fun gifts.

15 Great Gifts for the Sci-Fi Fanatic in Your Life

From groundbreaking movies to landmark novels, these are the best gifts for sci-fi fans in your life.

The Donner Party monument near Truckee Lake, California

8 Facts You Might Not Know About the Donner Party

Abraham Lincoln briefly considered going with them.

Discover if your favorite is on the list.

The Most Popular Website in Each Country, Mapped

The appeal of the internet may be universal, but the way people use it varies depending on where they live.

7 Public Domain Horror Movies That Are Streaming Free on YouTube

You don’t need to sign up for a streaming service to satisfy your horror craving.

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