Mental Floss: List Show

A trivia-tastic, fact-filled show for curious people. This week, Erin tells you about 19 everyday things that science still hasn’t figured out!

Did you know the words antioxidant, sports car, and moonwalking are turning 100 this year? Moonwalking will be 100 years old in 2019, along with other words and phrases like antioxidant or blood typing. In this episode of the Mental Floss List Show, Erin (@erincmccarthy) shares our favorite 100 words and phrases such as balletomane, broadband, and offline that are hitting their one hundredth birthday this year. This week, The Mental Floss List Show runs down the 100 words and phrases turning a century old this year.

Are you a woman? Poor? Old? Do you have a funky birthmark or enjoy hanging out with friends—without a chaperone? Then you could have been accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692! The people of Salem, Massachusetts had extremely rigid ideas about what kinds of behavior were appropriate—especially if you were a woman, poor, or old—and deviating from the norm in almost any way could qualify you as a witch in the 1600s. In this week’s episode of The List Show, Erin (@erincmccarthy) shares 17 signs that you’d qualify as a witch in the 1600s. Watch this week’s episode of The List Show to find out if you could have been accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.

Everything you thought you knew about animals is wrong! In this episode of The List Show, Erin (@erinmccarthy) debunks 21 widespread myths about dogs, cats, pandas, giraffes, and more—and will make you question everything you thought you knew about your favorite animals.

Can you guess which actor almost played Jon Snow (hint: he ended up playing a not-so-good guy on the show)? What about the most common causes of death in Game of Thrones? In this episode of The List Show, Erin of House McCarthy (@erincmccarthy) shares 31 behind-the-scenes facts about Game of Thrones that will surprise even the most hardcore fans. Watch the episode and test your Game of Thrones knowledge. Are you a Game of Thrones Grand Meister or do you know nothing?

Feeling sick? You might not want to try these historical medical treatments. In this week’s episode of The List Show, Erin (@erincmccarthy) shares 28 old-timey medical cures that you should probably avoid using at all costs. From “asthma cigarettes” (designed to cure, not cause, asthma) to ground up bird beaks, these historical medical cures prove that medical science wasn’t always much of a science.

Keep your eyes peeled the next time you go to a yard sale. Amidst the old VHS tapes and dusty furniture, you just might find some real treasures. In this week’s episode of The List Show, Erin (@erincmccarthy) shares 20 amazing yard sale finds, including classic paintings, expensive jewelry, rare photographs, and even the Declaration of Independence. That’s right, the next time you find yourself flipping through a stack of moldy magazines and old newspapers at your neighbor’s yard sale, keep your eyes peeled for John Hancock’s signature.

How much do you know about the human body? In this episode of The List Show, Erin shares 26 facts about the human body, from the surprising origins of belly button lint to why hair and nails seem to grow after death. You’ll learn about your spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, skin, and even your philtrum (the dent under your nose). If you’ve always wondered exactly how much coffee your stomach can hold or how many tennis courts your intestines could stretch across, this is the List Show episode for you. You’ll also learn a few funny old slang terms for body parts, and plenty of facts guaranteed to stop any cocktail party conversation in its tracks.

Today we’re talking about tourism! First, we talk about some of the fastest-growing tourism destinations. Then we teach you how to save some money on your next vacation. We’ll also explore the strange history of airport codes and teach you about a little known medical condition called “Paris Syndrome.”

Do you know which famous inventor designed the Soybean Car? Have you heard the nightmare-inducing noises of Thomas Edison’s creepiest creation? In this episode of the The List Show, Erin (@erincmccarthy) shares 35 lesser-known inventions from famous inventors. Tinkerers, Leonardo da Vinci lovers, and people who want to know which Benjamin Franklin-made musical instrument was accused of causing hysteria will want to watch. You’ll also learn about paper bags, genetic knives, and a failed attempt to save James Garfield’s life.

Do you know why hammerhead sharks have that distinctive head shape? Are you curious why shark copulation often involves biting, or how a tiger shark got involved in a murder trial? In this episode of The List Show, Erin shares 31 shark facts that will make any week feel like shark week.

Do you know which Disney attraction taught Martin Short the birds and the bees? Can you name the rides that preceded Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?

The solar system: it’s big, it’s heliocentric, and it’s got space junk to spare. In this episode of The List Show, Erin shares 22 out of this world facts about the corner of space that’s home to Earth, enough asteroids to keep Ben Affleck working for decades, and a football-shaped dwarf planet called Haumea. Astronomy enthusiasts and NASA know-it-alls will want to watch. You’ll learn how many Earths would fit inside Jupiter, why Pluto lost its status as a planet, and some of the places in the solar system that have shown promising signs of life.

Does the Witness Protection Program actually work? What, exactly, happens when you enter Witness Protection? In this episode of The List Show, Erin shares 32 facts about the secretive program that has enabled mafia members to give testimony in a number of high-profile cases.

Do you know which old job involved looking for valuables in the sewer? Have you ever seen a war tuba? In this episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down 22 weird jobs from 100 years ago. Bored projectionists and human computers will want to watch. You’ll learn why teenage boys didn’t last as switchboard operators and the critical role big sticks played in the turn-of-the-century economy.

Where did the dunce cap come from? What about the Pledge of Allegiance? In this back to school episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down 32 ways school in the U.S. was different 100 years ago. Swedish gymnasts and fans of the Trapper Keeper will want to watch. You’ll learn why factories operated their own schools and where the first high school was built.

Do you know the meaning behind Harry Potter spells like Expelliarmus and Wingardium Leviosa? In this episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down the origins of 30 Harry Potter terms. You’ll learn where Dumbledore’s name comes from and how the etymology of "horcrux" has been debated. Users of the three Unforgivable Curses and and Emma Watson super-fans will want to watch.

What does ASMR stand for? Who came up with the term, and who is the biggest ASMRtist out there today? In this (quiet) episode of The List Show, Erin shares 24 facts about ASMR, in the style of ASMR videos. Bob Ross fans and sufferers of misophonia will want to watch. You’ll learn what triggers ASMR and find out how you can test to see if you experience ASMR.

How do you save money? Where does the word “budget” even come from? Today, we’re talking all about budgets, from helpful tips on maintaining your budget to the tale of Britain’s Red Budget Box.

What is creepypasta, and where does it come from? Where did the story of Annabelle the doll come from? Which scary stories are based on real-life events, and how do those stories change over time? In this episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down the origins of 20 scary stories, just in time for Halloween. You'll learn about the purported connection between zombies and pufferfish, and the difference between the Mothman and the Bunny Man.

Did you know that Theodore Roosevelt once gave a 90-minute speech after being shot? Or that he lent his name to the Teddy Bear? In this episode of The List Show, TedHead Erin shares 28 stories about her favorite American president, whose preferred nickname wasn't Teddy, but Colonel. He was a boxer, a hunter, a conservationist, a rough rider, and one of history’s most creative insulters. Get ready to learn all about the life of one of America’s most interesting historical figures, Theodore Roosevelt.

How do you plan a wedding on a budget? What's the history of weddings, and how have wedding traditions changed in the last five thousand years?

What is the actual history of Thanksgiving? Does turkey really make you tired? And what’s the story with the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade? In this episode of The List Show, Erin debunks 18 Thanksgiving myths. You’ll learn how to cook a turkey so you don’t make your guests sick, the number of calories in a turducken, and why the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday.

How do you get the best deals when shopping online? How was online shopping first offered, and what were the first purchases made over the internet?

What is a fossil? How do scientists determine dinosaurs' colors? And why did one man pay $10,000 for a piece of counterfeit feces? In this episode of The List Show, Erin answers those questions and more as she discusses 26 Facts About Fossils.

This episode of The List Show features 100 interesting facts about science, math, and much more to wrap up 2019. You’ll learn fun 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. Trivia winners and enterprising mathematicians will want to watch. You’ll learn an incredible animal fact about bird embryos and get some tips that might point the way to professional success in the new year. This 2019 rewind focuses on the steps human beings continue to take in advancing our understanding of the world around us.