Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS





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






Once upon a time, there used to be B batteries, but they’re not manufactured anymore. Here’s why they disappeared from shelves.

Matt Soniak


Which is which?

Though they’re technically the same animal, there’s an important difference between pigs and hogs. Boars are a different story altogether.

Michele Debczak
Sending out an SOS.

You know it's a distress signal, but what does it actually stand for? A lot of people think it's an abbreviation for “save our souls.” (It's not.)

Matt Soniak