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Why Do Hearses Have Metal S-Shaped Scrolls Where the Back Windows Should Be?
Those evocative scrolls you see on hearses actually have a name—and going back in the 1800s, they actually served an important purpose.
BIG QUESTIONS
Why Do So Many Little Kids Love Dinosaurs?
It’s common for many little kids to go through a “dinosaur phase.” Here’s why.
Why Are Some Liquors Called “Spirits”?
One theory suggests that we call liquor “spirits” because of alcohol’s association with one spirit in particular: the Holy Spirit. But there are other possible origins.
Why Does My Dog Lick Me?
Your dog’s motivations for licking you range from adorable to disgusting.
Why Is It Called a “Monkey Wrench”?
The heavy-duty tool is said to be the work of a man named Moncke. Or was it Moncay?
Can Peanut Allergens Spread Through a Plane’s Air System?
The idea of peanut dust being carried through a plane cabin has always worried those with serious allergies. New research should ease their concerns.
What Happened to Dining Rooms?
Fewer and fewer newly constructed homes actually have dining rooms. Here’s why.
Are Haunted House Waivers Legally Enforceable?
Can a haunted attraction really be insulated against legal action for scaring people? A law expert weighs in.
Is Holding in a Sneeze Bad for You?
Many people underestimate the damage that suppressing a sneeze can cause.
Why Do We Vote in November?
There were some very compelling reasons for choosing the first Tuesday in November as Election Day—at least, they were when that date was chosen.
Where Did ‘Yada Yada Yada’ Come From?
The ’90s catchphrase was made famous by ‘Seinfeld,’ but Jerry and company didn’t coin it.
Why Is Space a Vacuum?
Roborock has teamed up with Mental Floss to explain why space is a vacuum—all while pushing the boundaries of smart cleaning technology back on Earth.
Presented by Roborock
How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
Beryl, Helene, Milton—recent hurricane monikers aren’t exactly the most popular girls’ and boys’ names.
Are ‘Muscle Knots’ Actually Knots?
The nagging pain in your neck may feel tight, but it's knot what you think.
Graveyard vs. Cemetery: What’s the Difference?
Both are places where we bury the dearly departed, and the words are often used interchangeably. But that hasn’t always been the case.
Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?
Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.
Novella vs. Short Story: What’s the Difference?
As Stephen King once said, novellas are “too long to be short and too short to be really long.”
Gourd vs. Squash: What’s the Difference?
Matters become more confusing when you add pumpkins to the mix.
Why Do We Freeze When We’re Scared?
You’ve likely heard of fight or flight, but a third reaction—to freeze—is misunderstood by many.
Does a Realtor Have to Disclose That a House Is Supposedly Haunted?
The answer depends on where you hope to live.
Why Do Some Pumpkins Have Warts?
Some gourds are bred to have a bumpy appearance.
Why Are We So Scared of Clowns?
Clowns have a long and spooky history.
Linguine vs. Fettuccine vs. Spaghetti: What’s the Difference?
The three types of pasta are all long, but when and how you use them will make all the difference for your meals.
What’s the Origin of the Jack-O’-Lantern?
The first jack-o'-lanterns were made with turnips, not pumpkins.