Mental Floss

MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

This or that?

In this episode of The List Show, host and Mental Floss editor-in-chief Erin McCarthy breaks down some commonly confused pairs.

Bethel Afful








The teddy bear has a very specific origin story.

The origins of the teddy bear involve President Theodore Roosevelt, a bear hunt, a political cartoon, and the owner of a candy shop in New York.

Erin McCarthy
Blowing gray bubbles just wouldn’t feel as fun.

We uncover why bubblegum is traditionally pink—and also explore what flavor bubblegum even is.

Sam Hindman












May want to think twice about drinking straight from the faucet, too.

Depending on how weird your home’s tap water tastes, it could be due to the pipes or an old water heater, or be a problem with the water itself.

Mike Rampton