Mental Floss: List Show

The "animals involved in crimes" in this episode of The List Show range from petty wildlife criminals to key pieces of evidence. You'll learn about the weevils put on trial and the monkey who likes biting (but not pepperoni).

The Illuminati has been the talk of conspiracy theorists for centuries. But did you know that the Illuminati was actually a real secret society? Not so crazy now, huh? In this bonus episode of The List Show, Justin dives into some very evil and mysterious facts about the real Illuminati.

Ancient Rome was an impressive place. Everyone wore togas, horses were elected to the Senate, and exquisite banquets had entire rooms dedicated to vomiting. Or... maybe all of those are just misconceptions.

Scientific mysteries continue to stump experts in fields ranging from meteorology to medicine. Why does the placebo effect work more for some people than others? What's the deal with Morning Glory clouds? And will Oliver kill Erin in her sleep?

From the first art heist in history to a series of high-profile cheese robberies, this episode of The List Show is all about off-the-wall historical heists. You'll learn about the time an entire church was stolen brick by brick and how Jesse James wasn't always as successful as his reputation might suggest. Erin breaks down 17 strange robberies and puzzling burglaries. Beanie Baby lovers and parmesan partisans will want to watch.

Evolution is a complex process. Natural selection, "survival of the fittest," that one image where the monkeys slowly turn into a human... what does it all mean?? Calm your Homosapien self down, we're here to explain everything you might have wrong about the theory of evolution. Evolution still has its fair share of deniers. But even amongst its avid believers, there's still a lot of things people have backward. Join Justin Dodd as he breaks down some commons myths and misunderstandings about evolution.

Time is on our side in this episode of The List Show, as Erin breaks down leap seconds, 445-day-long years, and many other fun time facts. You'll learn how an atomic clock works and why gravity can make time behave in funny ways.

The history of The Sims reveals a revolutionary game that was doubted time and again. People called it "the toilet game," and it might not have taken off so quickly without a pivotal kiss. The Sims took the mundane activities of life and turned them into an addictive experience that changed gaming forever.

From Napoleon's penis to Galileo's finger, the body parts of historical figures are steeped in legend. We try to separate the fact from fiction (and the mummified head from bizarre stuffed figure) in this episode of The List Show covering the notable body parts of historical figures.

The American Civil War is a pivotal and ugly moment in American history. But it might not be as cut and dry as North vs. South. Today, let's break down some myths about Lincoln, women soldiers, racist Northerners, and Southern Union sympathizers. 'Misconceptions' is back with an all-new episode that will challenge your perception of the War of the Rebellion. Did you know there was a Civil War naval battle off the coast of France? Yeah. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

The British Royal Family is either a potent symbol of national pride or a harmful anachronism, depending on which sources you listen to. The House of Windsor enjoys widespread popularity in the UK and many of its commonwealth realms, and yet a majority of young Britons express a desire to leave the monarchy behind. In this episode of The List Show, Erin (@erinccmarthy) flies through 100 fun facts about the British royal family, from truck-driving queens to scandal-plagued Kings (did someone mention a "love chair"?).

The weirdest weapons in history include a military-grade stink bomb, a pistol disguised as a tube of lipstick, and earthenware pots filled with venomous snakes. Erin breaks down those weird weapons and more in this episode of The List Show. "Weird weapons" is obviously a subjective term, but we think each of these weapons (whether deployed or just proposed) have something strange enough about them to merit inclusion on this list. We'll even cover a "dog doo transmitter," which isn't a weapon at all, but does have the words "dog doo" featured prominently in its name.

World War II is one of the most studied historical events of all time. So, how come very few people know of the literal hundreds of German POW camps on US soil? Or, the real story of how a Polish cavalry on horseback took on a battalion of German tanks? From the repercussions of Pearl Harbor to the true story of a bear who served in the Polish army, we're going to be tackling some little-known truths about World War II. Join host Justin Dodd in an endless pursuit of the truth.

Pet advice from the Middle Ages isn't exactly like pet advice from today. Sure, you have your diet tips and expectations for obedience, but there's also a smattering of Latin incantations, unusual remedies, and enough superstition to fill a great dane. Erin breaks down that and more as she discussed medieval pet advice in this episode of The List Show.

JNCO jeans (JNCOs, if you're nasty) epitomized a brief, strange moment in fashion history. They were "countercultural" jeans marketed towards suburban tweens. JNCOs made adults angry, but what might be odder is that they made so many young people happy. Erin dives into the history of JNCO jeans, from their iconic logo to their fall from wide-legged grace. She hits on the comfortability of JNCOs, the different meanings ascribed to the acronym (?) JNCO, and attempts to fit an entire JNCO leg over her head (OK, not that last one ... though she did request that we make that a part of the video).

The stories behind paintings and sculptures can be as interesting as the work itself. From romantic intrigue to momentous geopolitical events, looking "behind the easel" can shed light on our shared history and culture. Erin shares the stories behind artistic masterpieces, from Rothko's Seagram Murals to Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.

Does cracking your knuckles give you arthritis? How much water should you REALLY drink a day? And what the HECK do crystals do for my health? In this episode of Misconceptions, host Justin Dodd answers these burning questions about your health. Don't believe everything you read out there, your body will thank you.

The most expensive painting in the world (sold at auction) is of rather-disputed provenance. The most expensive sculpture ever sold was "Plan B" for its creator. And the most expensive empire may be the Roman Empire, if you'll allow us some poetic (historic?) license. Justin breaks down 15 of the most expensive "blanks" ever, from kidney stones to comic books.

The Curious Reader is a book from the team at Mental Floss about books and authors, from Achebe to Zami. It includes fun facts about author's past lives and writing processes, interesting trivia about literature, and Mental Floss's cheeky point of view.

Historic con artists used their marks' "confidence" against them. They were able to swindle innocent victims out of money with phony businesses, non-existent products, and a smorgasbord of too-good-to-be-true promises of instant riches. The historical cons, scams, grifts, and tricks featured in this episode of The List Show may be mostly passé, but they teach us something about how con artists ply their trade, in the past and today.

The Renaissance gave us the Mona Lisa, the telescope, and the Sistine Chapel. But who is the Mona Lisa actually a painting of? And did Galileo really invent the telescope? And be honest, do you picture Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel... on his back? We've got some centuries-old myths to debunk, let's get started. Let's reshape how we think about this important cultural movement. Join host Justin Dodd in an endless pursuit of the truth.

Etymology is not an exact science, but the stories behind word origins and etymologies can still teach us a lot. In this episode of The List Show, Erin breaks down the interesting etymology of 70 words, from vaccine to science. You'll learn the etymology of vaccine and much more.

Vikings have a fierce reputation: the scary, powerful, and hairy pillagers of history. But were they all muscular, sword-swinging bearded dudes with horned helmets and a disregard for human life? From their fighting prowess to Viking gender roles, we're going to be tackling some myths and misconceptions about Vikings. Join host Justin Dodd in an endless pursuit of the truth.

Romantic advice from the past runs the gamut from the solid to the stupefying. For every logical admonition by an 18th-century Dear Abby, you have a man weighing in with far too many thoughts on women's underwear. In this episode of The List Show, Erin covers relationship tips from the past—roughly the 18th century until the early 1900s—from the admirable to the abominable. You'll learn about the dangers of being a tomboy and the benefits of marrying someone exactly like you (delivered by a man whose resemblance to his own wife will otherwise go un-noted here).

Broadway is a street in New York, but it's also practically synonymous with musical theater. The Broadway facts in this episode of The List Show will shed light on some of the pre-theater history of The Great White Way (and you'll find out when it first earned that nickname). You'll also learn facts about Broadway in its infancy and dig into some of its most recent box-office bonanzas.

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.

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.

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 "remember"?

Learn the real stories behind King Tut's mysterious death, the Sphinx's missing nose, and the workers who built the pyramids.

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.

Let them eat cake! Learn the real stories behind the storming of the Bastille, the guillotine, and how Les Misérables ties into it all.

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 have inspired much confidence, but a game designer named Shigeru Miyamoto and some savvy business decisions made it nearly synonymous with video games.

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 answers those questions and more in this special mini-episode of The List Show.

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 in this not-so-out-of-this-world episode of The List Show.

Learn the real stories behind "prude" Victorians, the history of the vibrator, and why Victorians never smiled in photos. Host Justin Dodd breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about the Victorian Era.

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 valuables that seem to be gone forever.

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.

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 ice age—and ice ages, more broadly (you'll learn about the primary ice ages in Earth's history).

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.

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 it so appealing to think James Dean drove a star-crossed car? Erin breaks down the stories of ten so-called cursed objects, ranging from the creepy to the ridiculous. You'll learn about Ötzi the Iceman and Robert the Doll, along with other artifacts said to bring bad luck to anyone in their path.

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.

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 List Show run the gamut, from the amusing to the appalling. You'll learn what "The Black Box" was and why a film crew dumped asbestos on Judy Garland.

"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 vaccine does (and does not) do, and why anti-vaxxers are not a new phenomenon.

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 egg-sperts will want to watch. You’ll learn about a “Lost Golden City” in Egypt and the first recorded observation of a new state of matter.