Shayna Murphy

Boston, New York, Somerville

Editor at Mental Floss

She/her. Editor at Mental Floss. Bad at Twitter. I'm a slayer tho, ask me how. 🌹🔺 #Binders

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Articles

25 U.S. Cities That’ll Have the Worst Mosquito Problems This Summer

1 week ago | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy |Rudie Obias

Don’t want to bug out this summer? From Los Angeles to Houston and even Detroit, these are the cities to avoid this summer if you absolutely hate getting bitten by mosquitoes. ByShayna Murphy, Rudie Obias|It’s summer, which means the days are longer, the sun is brighter, and the weather is much warmer, so you can enjoy more time outdoors with friends and family. But with warmer weather comes more mosquitoes zipping around your backyard.
Scared of Slipping on Ice? Try This Clever Winter Shoe Hack

Feb 11, 2025 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

Wearing socks over your shoes is going viral on TikTok. Mother Nature continues to give us the cold shoulder across the United States, but many of us have no choice but to venture outside. If you’re hoping to make it to your car or across the sidewalk without face-planting on ice, consider a trend embraced by TikTok users and backed by science: wearing socks over your shoes. It’s not a new idea.
Madeleine Astor: The Gilded Beginnings and Harrowing Survival of the 'Titanic'’s Most Famous Widow

Feb 10, 2025 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

In 1911, a teenaged socialite named Madeleine Talmage Force rose from relative obscurity to land one of the greatest eligible bachelors of her era: a newly divorced Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, who was widely regarded as one of the richest men in the world. But within less than a year, she’d go down in history for something far more tragic. Alongside her husband, she was a passenger on the ill-fated RMS Titanic when it struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912.
The 8 best sex toys for seniors, according to sex educators and experts - Reviewed

Feb 3, 2025 | reviewed.com | Shayna Murphy

Sex doesn’t stop when you get older. We spoke to sex educators and experts to determine the best sex toys for seniors, from vibrators to cock rings.
Comforters vs. Duvets: What’s the Difference?

Dec 10, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

Both are meant to be spread out on top of your mattress, but they aren’t exactly the same thing. When it comes to bedding, it’s easy to mistake a duvet for a comforter, especially if you’re in someone else’s bedroom and aren’t responsible for making any beds. To make matters worse, some manufacturers may even use the terms interchangeably. In terms of similarities, both are bed toppers, and they’re usually made from comparable materials, such as cotton, polyester, or a blend of synthetic fibers.
When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

Dec 6, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

If you want those Christmas cards to arrive by the holidays, here’s what you need to keep in mind. By Matt Hoffman|34 seconds agoFor many, sending cards out for Christmas is a cherished annual tradition. For others, it can be a source of stress amid the holiday rush. You may even wonder when the optimal time is to impart your best wishes for a cheerful season.
8 of the Biggest Holiday Gift Fads From the ‘90s and ‘00s

Dec 6, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

Some holiday gifts—like Beanie Babies and Tickle Me Elmo—sparked truly wild toy crazes in their heyday. By Rudie Obias|1 minute agoIt seems that every year, there’s one must-have holiday gift that takes the nation by storm. You probably even know the feeling of going from store to store trying to find that sought-after item and being frustrated only to find out that it’s sold out.
What’s the Difference Between Diet Soda and Zero-Sugar Soda?

Dec 6, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

You may already have a favorite, but do you really know what’s in each soft drink? By Marla Mackoul|3 minutes agoIf you’re a regular in the soda aisle at the grocery store, you may have noticed an uptick in zero-sugar sodas in recent years. From Coca-Cola to Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Mountain Dew, most of the classic soda brands have branched out to provide this seemingly healthier option. Traditional diet versions, like Diet Coke, are still kicking around.
The 20 Most Popular Winter Holiday Destinations

Nov 28, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

The bright lights of Vegas look incredibly tempting for travelers come Christmas, according to experts. By Rudie Obias|16 seconds agoWith the holidays coming up, most folks are in a hurry to spend time with their friends and family. But among all those end-of-the-year soirées and big group dinners, you may want to slip in a fun-filled winter vacation or two. This is especially true if you live in a state that gets very cold every December, like Ohio, Indiana, North Dakota, or Michigan.
Your Old Digital Camera Could Be Worth a Lot, Thanks to Gen Z

Nov 21, 2024 | mentalfloss.com | Shayna Murphy

In a world dominated by AI-generated, perfectly filtered images, there’s something to be said for the raw, unfiltered aesthetic of early digital cameras. Remember your old digital camera that’s been collecting dust in a drawer somewhere? You know, the one you stashed away years ago after your smartphone camera started letting you take great pictures without having to carry around yet another device?