Mental Floss

MF EXPLAINS IT ALL

A little humidity can be a good thing.

High temperatures, low humidity, and lots of wind are prime red flag warning weather.

This isn't supposed to happen.

From Lyndon B. Johnson to Joe Biden, presidents can get neither fast nor furious behind the wheel.

How loud a fart is depends on a couple of factors.

Farts can make a lot of different noises. Some are high and squeaky, while others explode like a car backfiring—and some don’t make any noise at all.

Swimming is an all-body workout—bladder included.

Going for a dip? You'll probably have a wee bit of trouble. Here's why.

France's starting lineup with their "mascots" ahead of a match against Poland during the 2022 World Cup.

The pint-sized escorts have been a part of the pregame ceremonies since the mid-1990s.

Some music literally gives you goosebumps—what's up with that?

When your playlist strikes all the right chords, your body can go on a physiological joyride.

How did ‘Scrabble’'s makers decide how many points each letter was worth? It started with an unemployed architect during the Great Depression, and it has stayed the same ever since.

Electrolytes are important, yes. But you don't necessarily need drinks full of them.

Sports drinks are full of them. But are they good for you, or just really expensive pee?

What would our thoughts be without language?

Language is so deeply embedded in almost every aspect of the way we interact with the world. What would our thoughts be like without it?

'Psst. You hear about Ed in accounting?'

No, it's not because of Marvin Gaye.

It had a little something to do with syphilis.

For nearly two centuries, powdered wigs—called perukes—were all the rage. The chic hairpiece would have never become popular, however, if it hadn't been for a venereal disease, a pair of self-conscious kings, and poor hair hygiene.

Houseplants can die of old age, but likely not within your lifetime.

There's a good reason dogs sniff each other's butts.

Chemicals from special glands on a dog’s rear end tell other dogs a lot about them. Here’s why dogs sniff each other's butts.

Some cheese should be treated with suspicion.

There's a fine line between delicious and disgusting.

We have some bad news about your ‘hypoallergenic’ pet.

We asked some allergy experts if a truly hypoallergenic animal actually exists.

Ever wondered how the front passenger seat of a car came to be called "shotgun"?

John Wayne had a little to do with it.

Sharing food can heighten your own perception of it.

Swiping a French fry can trigger a thought process that can make it even more delicious.

What are those black tubes across the road for?

Using simple technology, they can tell a lot about your vehicle.

'Equity' and 'equality' are not quite the same.

The dictionary definition of ‘equity’ seems similar to that of ‘equality,’ but there’s an important distinction between the two.

Demonstration of a waterbed, 1971.

Waterbeds were once a coveted "fluid fixture" of bedrooms—until, suddenly, they weren't. So who or what led to their demise?

Why does using less of your eye help you see something more clearly? There's a pretty simple explanation.

This is counsel in multiple senses of the word.

It’s the Council of Elrond, not the Counsel of Elrond (though counsel was definitely given during proceedings).

To beef or not to beef?

For practicing Catholics, meat is off limits on Fridays during Lent. But they might be able to make an exception this March 17.

Think incognito browsing hides everything? Think again.

Reminder: 'Incognito' doesn’t mean 'safe for work.'