Mental Floss

NEWS

Grab your magnifying glass.

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

Ellen Gutoskey








It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

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Give ’em a spin.

Some true classics are turning the big 5-0 this year, from Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’ to Rush’s ‘Fly by Night.’

Kenneth Partridge






A puzzle purse from 1826.

From writing a salty letter of insults to rid yourself of unwanted attention to using a key to ward off epilepsy, here are 11 of the oddest old-timey Valentine’s Day traditions from years past.

Lucie Grace


Oscar statuettes.

The Oscars have given out 96 awards for Best Picture in their long history. Here’s one thing you should know about each film, from ‘Wings’ to ‘Oppenheimer.’

Justin Dodd, Michele Debczak, Shayna Murphy