Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS

Is your neighbor acting strangely? Must be a full moon.

Along with Mercury in retrograde, the full moon is a pretty popular scapegoat for bad luck and bizarre behavior. Is it warranted?

There’s more to frogs versus toads than meets the eye.

Are frogs and toads really that different? Get the facts on their appearance, habitats, and breeding habits and learn how to tell them apart.

Uncover the intriguing history of how the seasons got their names and the meanings behind them.

Canada lynx (left) and bobcat (right).

Both cats live in North America. Here's how to tell the difference between the two wild felines.

The Super Bowl has a unique numbering system.

The National Football League doesn’t want to confuse you.

This person is literally feeling their oats—but is that where the phrase came from?

The idiom has little to do with playing with our food and more to do with equine diets.

Would a smell by any other name evoke such delight?

Discover the science behind that irresistible “new car smell”—and whether it need to roll down your windows.

Why in tarnation do we think Yosemite Sam always said "tarnation"?

The origins and meaning of 'tarnation' are simple; its 'Looney Tunes' legacy is anything but.

A pirate flag with the distinctive eyewear.

Did pirates wear eye patches to see better in the dark? Find out the truth behind the iconic style choice.

The white stripes aren't just for show.

Those mysterious white lines you often see on the road right before a storm aren't just for show.

It’s not straightforward.

In the United States, the most common pronunciation is “FEB-yoo-air-ee.” Both Merriam-Webster and American Heritage dictionaries consider the common pronunciation correct, along with the less common, more traditional standard “FEB-roo-air-ee.”

You've probably been within spitting distance of a nuclear warhead without even realizing it.

The U.S. government is constantly moving its nuclear weapons from one facility to another, which means you may have passed one on the highway without even realizing it.

Happy Lupercalia!

Why is February spelled the way it is? Delve into the linguistic evolution of the month’s name and its journey from Latin to modern English.

Barking at nothing is a popular dog pastime.

Barking into the abyss is a frequent complaint of pet owners, but there's an explanation. (And no, it's not aliens.)

Black History Month begins February 1.

Since 1976, Black History Month has been celebrated in February—and it's because of two specific dates on the calendar.

Bobby pins took hold in the 1920s.

There’s a surprisingly rich history at the root of this hair accessory.

It might not be as old as you think.

Why are we still employing a kiss-off that references a near-obsolete form of transportation?

Yea or née?

Née’s meaning is technically “born,” and we borrowed it from the same place we got the terms ‘déjà vu’ and ‘cul-de-sac.’

Arenas and stadiums have some key differences.

Seating capacity is just one part of it.

This one seems obvious.

While developers can feel free to submit any name they’d like for a new street, cities usually have guidelines and standards.

Pigeon or dove? You decide.

What’s the actual scientific difference between the birds we call 'doves' and those we label 'pigeons'? The answer might surprise you.

'Military grade' can create confusion.

Is calling something ‘military grade’ legit? Find out the truth behind this marketing strategy and how it's applied to products.

Not always part of a balanced diet.

Fresh snow might look tasty, but just because it looks clean doesn’t mean it actually is.

Your dog's adorable brown eyes were no mistake.

The "buy her brown contacts pls" meme is backed up by evolutionary science.