Category Archives: Facts

The amazing coincidences in this episode of The List Show are drawn from the worlds of astronomy, politics, literature, and more. We’ve got well-known historical coincidences like the day John Adams and Thomas Jefferson passed away, along with some lesser-known (or less-considered) coincidences. You’ll learn why dinosaurs didn’t enjoy total solar eclipses and find out […]

Do cats always land on their feet? Can cats swim? What does it really mean when your cat purs? Host Erin McCarthy breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the internet’s favorite animal, cats. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! program brought together reading and pizza, making it practically tailor-made for a young Erin McCarthy (@erincmccarthy). If it’s any indication, the BOOK IT! pin featured in this video is Erin’s *actual* pin, which she held on to for more than two decades (she’s not weird*.) If you know the joy of […]

Do you know what the Boy Scouts have to do with barcodes? Or how Mother Nature inspired the creator of Velcro? The interesting origins of household items may surprise (and, at times, even horrify) you. Erin (@erinccmarthy) shares the unusual origins of everyday items, from the air conditioner to saccharin. In case you forgot, The […]

Did you know that coffee doesn’t come from beans? Or that the history of tea is directly related to the Opium Wars? Learn all about coffee and tea’s fascinating history. Food History is a show all about… well, the history of food. Join host Justin Dodd as he brings you the stories of how your […]

Interesting facts about science, math, and much more comprise this episode of The List Show. You’ll learn fun 2021 facts about archeological discoveries and the world of entertainment. You’ll glean insights from cutting-edge research in a number of fields as Erin (@erincmccarthy) lays out 100 interesting facts we learned this year. Tail-regenerating lizards and egg-breaking […]

“Vaccine facts” seems to have become a surprisingly loaded term over the last couple years, but the history of vaccines is actually full of heated opinions and outlandish ideas. In this video, we drill down to just the facts about vaccination and the history of vaccines. You’ll learn about the first vaccine, what an mRNA […]

Learn the real stories behind the original paleo diet, Stone Age dentists, and cavewoman hunters. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the Stone Age. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The golden age of film defined Hollywood for more than a generation. And while Old Hollywood may evoke romantic images of soft-focus stars, the era was also marked by a certain “make it up as you go” spirit that could lead to folly (or worse). The surprising facts about Old Hollywood in this episode of […]

The Cold War is relatively recent history, but there are till plenty of myths about it to debunk. Justin wages war against Cold War misconceptions, from the romantic image of the Cold War-era spy to the comedic oeuvre of Yakov Smirnoff (sort of). If you think the only Cold War close call was the Cuban […]

Jell-O salad is a truly bizarre food trend. Neon-colored gelatin, filled with all types of funky ingredients. Some feature marshmallows, others mayonnaise, and some… tuna salad. Food History is a show all about… well, the history of food. Join host Justin Dodd as he brings you the stories of how your favorite meals ended up […]

World domination and workplace automation… should we be worried? Maybe! It’s complicated! Let’s talk about some common myths and misconceptions about robots. Join host Justin (@juddtoday) as he breaks down the history of robots, from ancient steam-powered birds to Leonardo da Vinci’s automaton knight. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The history of magic is filled with colorful characters, from Harry Houdini to the Little Man of Nuremberg. In this episode of The List Show, Erin shares fun facts about magic history, from magic-hating monarchs to the history of stage magic as an art form. In case you forgot, The List Show is a trivia-tastic, […]

Learn why it’s called the Maya Civilization and NOT the Mayan Empire, the truth about human sacrifice, and what really happened to the Maya after all. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the Maya civilization. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The scary stories about “cursed objects” in this episode of The List Show may not all stand up to intense scrutiny, but they can still tell us something interesting about the history and culture they come out of. Does a “cursed” chest of drawers reveal something unresolved in a country’s history? Why do we find […]

The frozen TV dinner is the result of decades of technological advancements and helped end outdated gender roles. Yeah, you read that right. From frozen Thanksgiving dinners to scorching hot brownies, the TV dinner is the pinnacle of convenience food. But who came up with the idea of putting an entire frozen meal on a […]

Whether it’s “the golden age of television” or “the second golden age of television,” the last two decades have been pretty kind to TV. Erin shares fascinating facts about television history (starting, roughly, with the Sopranos) in this episode of The List Show. In case you forgot, The List Show is a trivia-tastic, fact-filled show […]

Bags o’ mysteries. Need we say more? Check out Misconceptions About the Victorian Era here: https://youtu.be/kcJFTqal220 #shorts

Join Mental Floss’s Justin Dodd for a special night of TELEVISION trivia. Write your answers in the live chat for a chance to be crowned Champion of the Internet. Get yourself a copy of Mental Floss’s new book about books: https://insighteditions.com/pages/mentalflosscuriousviewer Tub Trivia is a live quiz show from Mental Floss. It’s like pub trivia […]

Learn the real stories behind the Red Baron’s reputation, the sinking of the Lusitania, and Africa’s involvement in the First World War. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about World War I. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The ice age may be over, but did you realize we’re still in AN ice age? Do you know what causes ice ages, or why some scientists are looking to rocks as a way to combat climate change? Erin answers those questions and many more in this episode of The List Show, all about THE […]

If you assume every Deaf person can lip read flawlessly, didn’t realize Deaf people can drive, or thought you were being helpful by exaggerating your mouth movements when speaking to a Deaf person, this episode of Misconceptions is for you. @Treshelle Edmond , @Harold Foxx @Melissa Elmira Yingst & Dickie Hearts (who also penned this […]

Is pad thai really… Thai? Find out the complicated and international history of Thailand’s most delicious export, pad thai. Food History is a series from Mental Floss where we dive deep into the culinary stories that lead to the food on our plates. If you have an idea for a dish, cooking technique, or cuisine […]

Whatever happened to pirate Amaro Pargo’s treasure? Or over 90 classic episodes of Doctor Who? In this episode of The List Show, host Erin McCarthy explores some of the most interesting and valuable pieces of lost treasure. From lost pieces of media to literal pirate booty, we’ll be covering the amazing and tragic stories of […]

Learn the real stories behind “prude” Victorians, the history of the vibrator, and why Victorians never smiled in photos. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the Victorian Era Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The NASA inventions (or NASA spinoffs, as they’re known inside the space agency) in this episode of The List Show pop up throughout our daily lives. Did you now that NASA helped give us scratch-resistant lenses, memory foam, and the image sensors used in smartphone cameras? Erin (@erincmccarthy) touches on those NASA inventions and more […]

Hot sauce has been around for thousands of years. How did we go from medicinal chili sauce used by the Aztecs to Sriracha and Tabasco? Food History is a show all about… well, the history of food. Join host Justin Dodd as he brings you the stories of how your favorite meals ended up on […]

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Why are some animals “ugly”? What does the aye-aye get out of having such big eyes, and why does the star-nosed mole have a star nose? Guest host Jaida Elcock (@soFishtication) answers those questions and more in this special mini-episode of The List Show. In case you forgot, The List Show is a trivia-tastic, fact-filled […]

The history of Nintendo includes a love hotel, instant rice, and a beloved video game that arcade owners called Honkey Dong. A little console known as the Famicom (and, eventually, the NES, or Nintendo Entertainment System) was a key inflection point in Nintendo’s history. Nintendo’s early days and the business struggles of Atari may not […]

Let them eat cake! Learn the real stories behind the storming of the Bastille, the guillotine, and how Les Misérables ties into it all. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the French Revolution. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

The interesting facts in this episode of The List Show are pulled from 20 years of Mental Floss History. We’ve got fun and slightly random facts about all the important topics: presidents, literature, wombat poop. You’ll learn our favorite fun facts about food history and more than you probably wanted to know about tortoise sex. […]

Learn the real stories behind King Tut’s mysterious death, the Sphinx’s missing nose, and the workers who built the pyramids. Host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about Ancient Egypt. Website: http://www.mentalfloss.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mental_floss Facebook: https://facebook.com/mentalflossmagazine

Does the Monopoly man have a monocle? Or is your memory playing tricks on you? In this episode of The List Show, host Justin Dodd (@juddtoday) tackles this mysterious memory phenomenon known as the Mandela Effect. From Jiffy peanut butter to the classic 90s genie-comedy Shazaam, we’re exploring shared false memories. How many did you […]

My Discord: http://bit.ly/SantoroLounge | My Twitch: http://bit.ly/MattsTwitch Subscribe: http://bit.ly/SubToMattSantoro | Website: http://MatthewSantoro.com Catch up on my latest uploads! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74EgSlmhy6Wavip716_-JRPG&playnext=1&index=2 Watch more: Creepy, Scary, and Chilling Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74HK4A_zHEB-aQLNEErSikq5&playnext=1&index=2 50 Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74Hp_q_-bs6g5Ulju0Lp__Ss&playnext=1&index=2 Mysterious, Cryptic, and Mystical Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74F_S6Jt4inbGZM6kfZ4Y2ar&playnext=1&index=2 Fascinating, Amazing, and Funny Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74GbkIhmSYCfb0Ctc1sl8-v5&playnext=1&index=2 All-Time Most Popular Videos! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74GcJABXEUfqDHSIlBojZZQO&playnext=1&index=2 Sources: https://pastebin.com/5HMTkB73 Edited […]

When you think about amazing things found in shipwrecks, your mind might go to gold doubloons. But would you think of centuries old (still potable!) champagne? Or love letters that can still be read decades later? In this episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down some of the most fascinating things found in shipwrecks. […]

We’re breaking down the history of the hot dog for #NationalHotDogDay on this episode of Food History. Where do hot dogs come from? (It’s surprisingly contentious.) What is in a hot dog? (It might not be as bad as you imagine.) And why do we call it a hot dog, anyway? (You’ll have to watch […]

My Discord: http://bit.ly/SantoroLounge | My Twitch: http://bit.ly/MattsTwitch Subscribe: http://bit.ly/SubToMattSantoro | Website: http://MatthewSantoro.com Catch up on my latest uploads! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74EgSlmhy6Wavip716_-JRPG&playnext=1&index=2 Watch more: Creepy, Scary, and Chilling Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74HK4A_zHEB-aQLNEErSikq5&playnext=1&index=2 50 Amazing Facts to Blow Your Mind! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74Hp_q_-bs6g5Ulju0Lp__Ss&playnext=1&index=2 Mysterious, Cryptic, and Mystical Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74F_S6Jt4inbGZM6kfZ4Y2ar&playnext=1&index=2 Fascinating, Amazing, and Funny Topics! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74GbkIhmSYCfb0Ctc1sl8-v5&playnext=1&index=2 All-Time Most Popular Videos! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe7K6kDBf74GcJABXEUfqDHSIlBojZZQO&playnext=1&index=2 Sources: https://pastebin.com/rrRVLjni Edited […]

Do vampire bats really suck your blood? Are all bats blind? And who is this crime-fighting Manbat I keep hearing about? In this episode of Misconceptions, Justin takes on some common myths and misconceptions about bats. Let’s take a look at these hairy, winged cuties. Make sure to subscribe for more Mental Floss content just […]