BIG QUESTIONS

Could You Bite Off Someone’s Finger?

Where there’s a will, there's a way.

The Longest Movie Ever Made Would Take You More Than a Month to Watch

It would take you more than a month to watch the longest movie ever made. Who has time for that?

Why Do Cats Leave Their Mouths Open After Smelling Something?

It’s called the flehmen response, a.k.a. “stinky face.”

A Carl's Jr. opened in New York City in 2018.

What’s the Difference Between Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.?

The signs and menus look exactly alike, down to that cheery little star. Are they the same restaurant?

This isn't as tough as the whole chicken-and-egg conundrum.

What Came First: The Color Orange or the Fruit?

The story behind which orange came first involves Arab trade routes and a bunch of old phrases that mean 'orange apple.'

What’s the Difference Between Prison and Jail?

Many people use the terms interchangeably, but there’s a substantial difference between the two methods of incarceration.

When you're shopping at a flea market, have you ever stopped to wonder how it came by that name?

Why Are Flea Markets Called That?

It’s another in a long line of etymologies that doesn’t have one clear-cut answer, but a few plausible (and interesting) possible explanations.

"Love the Avenger" by Jean Honore Fragonard, circa 1790.

Why Is Cupid Associated With Valentine’s Day?

Cupid’s connection to love and romance dates back centuries.

Middle school and junior high are not quite the same.

Middle School vs. Junior High: What’s the Difference?

The two terms describe the period of education between elementary and high school, but middle school and junior high aren’t exactly the same.

If this is what your eyeballs feel like after trying (and failing) to see Magic Eye pictures, you're not alone.

Why Can't Some People See Magic Eye Pictures?

Magic Eye pictures have been called “the world’s most famous—and infamously frustrating—optical illusion.” Here’s what might be going on if you can’t see them.

Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch over Raymond Calais of the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI.

What Happens to the Losing Team’s Pre-Printed Championship Shirts?

For each year’s Super Bowl showdown, manufacturers and retailers will produce and stock two sets of T-shirts, hats, and other merchandise that declares each team the champ. So who gets the losing team’s stuff?

Why Is It Called a ‘Cockpit’?

The flight deck has long been known by a peculiar term—one that probably has to do with roosters.

What’s the Difference Between Gophers and Groundhogs?

If you’re planning an early February trip to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, you might want to know the difference between groundhogs and gophers.

What Kind of Fish Is Dory From Finding Nemo?

Before 2003's 'Finding Nemo,' 'Dory fish' were best known by another name. Actually, several other names.

Why Is Bottled Water So Expensive?

We pay billions for something that comes out of a faucet for pennies. Here’s why.

Linguists have some theories about how Rock, Paper, Scissors is also known as roshambo.

Why Do People Call Rock-Paper-Scissors "Roshambo"?

The term is more commonly used on the West Coast, especially in northern California.

A number of factors go into the price of truffles.

Why Are Truffles So Expensive?

To figure out a little bit about why truffles are so expensive, Mental Floss talked to Vittorio Giordano, the Vice President and Truffle Guru at Urbani Truffles USA.

Iodized salt helped curb a thyroid concern in the '20s.

Why Is There Iodine in Table Salt?

It could prevent you from developing a goiter, for one thing.

Why Do We Have Eyebrows?

Eyebrows are the Swiss Army knife of the human face.

AriZona iced tea is holding the line on price.

How Is AriZona Iced Tea Cheaper Than Water?

AriZona's enormous vats of iced tea are cheaper than pure water. What kind of sorcery is this?

What’s the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

‘Possum’ and ‘opossum’ are sometimes synonyms—but sometimes they refer to different animals. (Also, there’s a chance you've been pronouncing ‘opossum’ wrong all along.)

Why Do We Eat Chicken Wings on Super Bowl Sunday?

Americans consume more than 1 billion wings on Super Bowl Sunday, and we have sports bars to thank.

Why Do We Yawn? Science Has Some Theories

The short answer is that no one really knows why we yawn. But people have theories.

Turns out, those weird shapes actually serve a pretty big function.

What Are Those Circles and Squares on My Car’s Bumper?

Those funky circles and squares you might see on a car’s bumper aren’t just for show—they actually come in handy if you ever need your car towed.

PREV NEXT