Mental Floss

BIG QUESTIONS





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.”

Arika Okrent




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.)

Jake Rossen








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.

Will McGough
Not always part of a balanced diet.

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

Jake Rossen