One theory says it comes from an Irish word; another says we have the ancient Romans to thank. But the joke is on those theories, because the real story is more complicated than that.

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Greater sage-grouse are at risk near Jackson Hole Airport—but handmade decoys are guiding them to safer ground.
Asian needle ants may look small, but their stings are no joke.
Which pop culture mom does your state love most?
With Joann Fabric and Craft stores closing nationwide, online scammers are taking advantage of customers looking for a deal.
In 1947, the seemingly everyday, innocent thoughts of a teen girl were published. But they weren’t so everyday: they were the thoughts of Anne Frank.
In 1855, D.C. residents were anything but thrilled with a gift from the pope.
In 1746, tartan kilts were outlawed in Scotland. That ban would help the garment become world-famous.
Baseball’s score-keeping system is full of abbreviations, but why exactly is the letter ‘K’ synonymous with a ‘strikeout’? Discover more about the evolution of baseball terms like this here.
Plastic bins aren’t great for storing everything. Discover what items you definitely shouldn’t put in plastic bins, like certain fabrics, old photos, and more.
A sunken ship near Florida holds clues to the early history of cats in the U.S.
The megalodon was the largest shark to ever live, but luckily for us, it’s definitely extinct.
Determining the world’s smallest country isn’t as easy as simply calculating area or population.
‘Gymkata’ was a flop when it hit theaters in 1985—but today, the so-bad-it’s-good film has a cult following. Here’s what you should know.
Which countries make moving abroad for work a breeze? Europe dominates the list.
The actor just wrapped up a podcast called ‘Greatest Escapes’—and now he’s dropping amazing facts about those escapes and more on the latest episode of Amazing Facts with Mental Floss.
The risks involved with storing an open can of food in the fridge can vary, but according to the USDA, it’s important to keep these factors in mind.
Starting Wednesday, May 7, standard IDs will make going through airport security a bigger hassle. The TSA recommends getting to the airport earlier than usual to ensure you board your flight on time.
From carrying their young for years to feeding their babies poop, some animal moms just go above and beyond.