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Curiosities & Culture

Mental Floss

Smart facts, history, language, and curious explanations.

7 Fall Traditions Kids Today Barely Experience Anymore

From burning leaf piles to unpasteurized cider, most of these onetime autumnal traditions have been legislated away.

Mental Floss · Sep 22 · Read original →

Why So Many U.S. Cities Have Spanish Names

Discover the real origins and translations behind 10 famous American cities with Spanish names, from Key West to Los Angeles.

Mental Floss · Sep 21 · Read original →

The Minimum Wage the Year You Were Born, From 1940 to 2010

See how much workers earned per hour the year you were born, and how far that amount would stretch today.

Mental Floss · Sep 21 · Read original →

8 Ways Cultures Around the World Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

From Higan in Japan to the neo-Pagan holiday of Mabon, these equinox festivals welcome longer nights and chillier weather with feasting, ritual, reflection, and more.

Mental Floss · Sep 21 · Read original →

The Gross “Witch Cake” Salem Residents Surprisingly Used to Detect Witchcraft

Sugar, spice, and wait...what?

Mental Floss · Sep 21 · Read original →
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5 Sounds That Defined Fall in the 1990s

From the 'X-Files' theme song to the humming of a dial-up modem and the rustle of falling leaves on the walk home from school, these were the sounds of autumn in the '90s.

The Cost of Living in Each State for 2026, Mapped

Discover the most and least expensive places to live in the U.S. in 2026. From Hawaii's high housing costs to Oklahoma's low expenses, see where your state ranks.

15 Life-Saving Facts Everyone Should Know

Plus, what to do in an emergency.

The Roadside Vendor Who Inspired One of Stephen King's Most Unsettling Stories

"He always appears in the spring..."

Stephen King's Favorite (and Least Favorite) Stephen King Novels

The award-winning author has four favorites, and one he considers "awful."

Hidden Italy: Meet Stefania, the Farmer Who Makes Everything From Scratch

From the land to the table, Stefania is keeping Calabrian traditions alive, and you can be part of the story.

How Do You Pronounce 'Pho'?

Ordering a bowl of pho? You might be saying it wrong. Here is how to pronounce Vietnamese pho, why tones matter, and what the name actually means.