Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS

On Earth, compasses always point north.

On Earth, compasses always point north—but when you’re drifting outside our planet’s magnetosphere, things get more complicated.

If they were in separate glasses without their cans, could you tell them apart?

Are Diet Coke and Coke Zero really that different? Here are the differences and health factors in the diet soda vs. zero-sugar soda debate.

Elf, gnome, or an eccentric child?

These two tiny titans of folklore might appear similar, but they couldn't be more different.

We’ve all been there.

Whether you’re at a hotel on a business trip or crashing at a relative’s house for the holidays, getting quality sleep on the first few nights can be a challenge. Here’s why.

Not a snack.

And what happens if you chow down on one anyway?

Let’s crack the history wide open.

Christmas trees are an essential part of the holiday.

Discover the origins of the Christmas tree tradition that brings joy to millions each season.

You'd be surprised about a few of these theories.

While there may be no definite consensus on how red and green became the official colors of Christmas, there are a few interesting explanations.

Not a window in sight.

Most casinos lack windows, and gamblers like it that way.

Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.

Why do the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always take to the field for a Thanksgiving football game? Because it’s tradition! But how did this tradition begin?

See that crispy texture? That’s the Maillard Reaction.

There’s science behind that seemingly random number.

The computer room, apparently.

You can binge Netflix in any room you like, but there are some key differences between these living areas.

Fences have a little something to do with it.

To get to the answer, we need to discuss Latin, wooden stakes, Catherine the Great, and, of course, Shakespeare.

The meaning behind “phony“ has to do with fake jewelry.

The origins of the term come from the Irish word for “ring.”

As far as cucumbers go, they're getting the royal treatment.

English cucumbers have a few qualities that make them superior to regular cucumbers, but one causes some problems, too.

Start counting.

You may have been taught that Earth has seven continents. Or is it six? Or eight?

Returns can be a costly proposition for retailers.

The fate of your unwanted air fryer, explained.

Members of Robert Falcon Scott's 1910-1913 expedition to reach the South Pole.

Here's how to tell frostbite symptoms from hypothermia symptoms.

They are several differences between the two.

Tsunamis and tidal waves may look similar, but they differ in crucial ways.

They come in handy in more ways than one.

Whether you’re trying to get rid of wrinkles or reduce static electricity, dryer sheets can be useful in more ways than you might expect.

Safety matters.

There are several important factors to take into consideration. And if your dog does wear a collar, you need to make sure it fits well and is safe.

A dish of homemade cranberry deliciousness.

Your Thanksgiving cranberry sauce—be it homemade or Ocean Spray’s canned classic—is all part of America’s history.

So cute.

There are several reasons why cats have this adorable habit.

Football referee.

Spoiler alert: They’re not just sitting around.