Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS



According to some depictions of her, Mother Goose isn't even a bird.

Many nursery rhymes are attributed to Mother Goose. But was Mother Goose even a real person?

Lorna Wallace






Digging for gold.

Catching a kid picking their nose isn’t too unusual, but have you ever wondered what makes them want to actually eat their boogers? Discover more about the science behind mucophagy and its enduring appeal to youngsters.

Mike Rampton


'Organic' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy.'

To be certified as organic, farmers can’t use prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones for three full years before applying. Further, any animals they have must be raised on organic foods.

the mag










Now you know.

The abbreviations are widely understood as “morning” and “afternoon,” but what do the Latin translations actually mean?

Ellen Gutoskey