You didn’t plan to have Katy Perry stuck in your head all day. It just happened, and now you’re a prisoner in your own treacherous, pop music–blasting mind. Never fear: We have answers. A study published today in the journal Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts [PDF] identifies the features that transform certain songs into earworms—and even offers tips for their extraction.

Scientists call this experience involuntary musical imagery, or INMI. Previous studies have suggested certain traits [PDF] that make a song ideal INMI fodder. First, it’s familiar; songs we’ve heard many times before are the ones most likely to jam in our brains. Second, it’s sing-able. So far, that’s really all we know. But researchers remain on the case.

In 2012, researchers in Finland and the UK conducted simultaneous surveys inviting their compatriots to complain about the songs that haunted them the most. The latter survey, called The Earwormery, amassed responses from 5989 disgruntled Brits. It was conducted by researchers from Goldsmiths, University of London, four of whom are co-authors on the current study.

For the current study, they pulled the responses of 3000 of those respondents and analyzed them for trends. They then identified 100 of the worst offenders and sorted them based on 83 different musical parameters, including length, melody, pitch range, and commercial success.

The songs most commonly found wiggling around in British brains had quite a few things in common. They were typically pretty fast pop songs, and their melodies were fairly generic, yet each one had a little something, like an unusual tonal interval or a repetition, that set it apart from others on the charts and made it stickier.

The top 9 list of wormiest tracks revealed a couple of other trends. See if you can spot them here:

1. “Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga

2. “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” Kylie Minogue

3. “Don’t Stop Believing,” Journey

4. “Somebody That I Used to Know,” Gotye

5. “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5

6. “California Gurls,” Katy Perry

7. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen

8. “Alejandro,” Lady Gaga

9. “Poker Face,” Lady Gaga

Only one of those artists is even British—and three of them are Lady Gaga.

These results are specific to UK survey respondents, as are the musical qualities that inspired them. It’s probable that stickiness is cultural; what’s sticky in Mozambique may glide in one Japanese person’s ear and out the other, and vice versa.

The researchers say their research could be beneficial for those in music-related industries. “You can, to some extent, predict which songs are going to get stuck in people’s heads based on the song’s melodic content,” lead author Kelly Jakubowski, a music psychologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, said in a statement. “This could help aspiring songwriters or advertisers write a jingle everyone will remember for days or months afterwards.”

Still, we’re not completely helpless. The researchers offer three tips for extracting an earworm. First, just give in. Listening to the song the entire way through can help get it out of your head. Second, find a musical antidote. The British survey respondents listed “God Save the Queen” as the best way to shake an earworm, but we’d like to recommend James Brown’s “Sexmachine.” (Trust us. It works.)

Finally, stop worrying about it. Like a little splinter or an errant eyelash, that Lady Gaga will likely work its way out all on its own.

Zoos are a constantly evolving workplace. Over the past 50 years, exhibits have gotten increasingly naturalistic, diets for certain species have become more standardized, and captive breeding programs have turned into nationwide campaigns. Yet if one thing’s remained constant, it’s the fact that keeping the animals in our zoos both happy and healthy requires a great deal of time, coordination, expense, and old-fashioned willpower. It’s not an easy job, but most zookeepers say they wouldn’t trade it for the world.

1. PANDAS ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE.

Giant pandas are one of the biggest draws for zoos that manage to snag a pair. But the big mammals also come with an extremely high price tag. Famously finicky, they dine almost exclusively on bamboo. Since these plants don’t offer much in the way of nutritional value, pandas need to consume about 26 to 84 pounds of them every day. Maintaining a fresh supply is a costly endeavor, especially for zoos located in cooler areas where bamboo doesn’t grow as well. The Toronto Zoo, for example, spends $500,000 CDN per year (about $370,000 US) flying in bamboo from a Memphis-based supplier.

Food-related expenses are just the tip of the iceberg: China’s government effectively maintains a global panda monopoly. To put one of these rare, in-demand critters on display, a foreign zoo must lease it from the Chinese for a full decade. During this period, an annual payment has to be made—and the going rate is sky-high. For example, the Edinburgh Zoo is currently paying £600,000 (about $740,000) per year for its resident pair. Across the pond, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. shells out $550,000 annually in order to keep two adult pandas. By the way, if one of those bamboo-eaters should die because of some human error, China will administer a roughly $400,000 fine.

2. KEEPERS WARN EACH OTHER ABOUT GUESTS WHO DON’T FOLLOW THE RULES.

Using clearly marked signs, zoos warn their guests not to do certain things that might harm the animals. Unfortunately, some people ignore these notices. Glass-tapping is a particularly common offense. While it might not seem like a big deal to human patrons, this can really stress out captive creatures. “Imagine if somebody’s knocking on your living room window all the time,” Bruce Beehler of the Milwaukee County Zoo says. “I think you would be annoyed.” He adds that tossing coins—or, indeed, anything else—into an animal’s enclosure is another big no-no. Not only can these bits of currency get swallowed, they’re also liable to contaminate an animal’s water supply.

When mental_floss interviewed Bob, Terry, and Nancy*—three keepers who work at a zoo in the southern U.S.—and asked them to name their biggest job-related pet peeve, all three cited rule-breaking visitors. “Read signs and listen to keepers,” Bob implores. “If I ask you not to tap the glass, don’t tell me it’s just for fun and you can tap the glass all you like. If a keeper asks you not to stand your child on the railing of an animal’s enclosure, do not put them down and then wait ‘till we walk away. When we see anyone doing something that endangers our animals, we do follow you.”

Security guards are on hand to remove those who ignore repeat warnings. Additionally, zoo staffers will often use their radios to tip each other off about problematic visitors. “Depending on where they are, we might alert the next area down the line,” Nancy explains. “We’ll say ‘Hey, I saw these people disturbing the animals in this area and they’re heading towards your area. Keep your eyes open.’ Each area will then make the call about how serious the situation is and whether they should call security.”

Nancy also told us that she’s personally had to discourage patrons from, among other things, throwing food at gorillas and dropping various objects (money, juice boxes, etc.) into the alligator pool. It should go without saying, but the posted rules are there for a reason. Respect the animals’ homes and you’ll have a more enjoyable visit.

3. LOTS OF ZOO ANIMALS AREN’T ON PUBLIC DISPLAY.

Purchase a standard zoo ticket and you’ll get to see most of the critters in their collection. But you can bet that at least a handful of specimens will be kept from view, stowed away in backroom terrariums or birdcages. “Animals live behind the scenes for a number of reasons,” Terry says. Some of these so-called “off-exhibit” creatures are used for educational purposes, including occasional public shows and private birthday parties. By utilizing animals that most visitors never see, staffers can put together a live creature presentation without emptying any displays in the process.

Nancy adds that the newborn offspring of breeding animals are also sometimes withheld from the public. “If your zoo is breeding a given species,” she says, “then it’s likely that the species is already well-represented in your displays. So you wouldn’t need to put all of the babies in the public viewing areas. Visitors might like to see one or two burrowing frogs, but there’d be no point in having an entire wall full of them.” A good percentage of these unseen infants will probably end up getting shipped off to other zoos.

For the record, certain departments hide their critters more frequently than others do. “Reptile, aquarium, and maybe bird areas are most likely to have larger numbers of animals behind the scenes,” Terry says. “It’s easier to house and hold many small animals than large ones … not a lot of places [have] off-exhibit elephants!”

4. TRANSFERRING ANIMALS BETWEEN ZOOS INVOLVES A LOT OF PAPERWORK.

Bob says that when an animal goes from one zoo to another, a “ton of paperwork” usually travels with it. These documents are loaded with need-to-know details about the critter’s health issues, behavioral tendencies, and the amount of training it’s received.

Unhelpfully, new beasts that aren’t acquired from other zoos seldom come with comprehensive paperwork. “Sometimes their history is a mystery,” Bob admits. “Many zoos will get animals through confiscation from Fish and Wildlife services. I’ve even met a South American tamandua [a genus of anteater] who was found walking the streets of Houston!” Over the years, Bob’s also worked with a cougar that had previously been a school mascot, as well as two bobcats believed to have been escaped pets.

In any event, zoos subject all new acquisitions to a mandatory quarantine period. Usually, this lasts anywhere from 30 to 60 days and may take place in an isolated enclosure or at the zoo hospital. “This is to make sure they bring no ailments or parasites to the general zoo population,” Bob says. “If they do show signs it is treated. Once that passes, then the animal is taken to its appropriate new home within the zoo.”

5. FEEDING THE ANIMALS ISN’T EASY (OR CHEAP).

Zoos have high standards when it comes to the quality of their residents’ food. “We’re probably pickier than some restaurants. We have to be very careful because we’re dealing with endangered animals and animals we want to reproduce and live long lives,” Kerri Slifka, the Dallas Zoo’s curator of nutrition, told the Dallas Morning News last year. Nowadays, a growing number of zoos are hiring full-time animal nutritionists to make sure that their critters receive the healthiest possible diets.

Furthermore, in recent decades there’s been a big push to standardize the meal plans for certain species. (For example, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums advises member zoos to feed orangutans a balanced diet consisting of 86 percent produce and 14 percent “nutritionally complete primate biscuits.”) The standardization trend can be traced back to the rise of nationwide breeding programs in the latter half of the 20th century. Under these initiatives, specimens were transferred between different zoos with increasing regularity. As zoological nutritionist Barbara Toddes told the Smithsonian, “Animals need consistency in their diet when they move from place to place. It’s much better for them stress-wise and nutritionally.”

Big appetites are another complicating factor. Consider elephants, which devour 200 to 600 pounds of food every day when fully grown. The cost of feeding a single adult is usually around $15,000 per year. And some animals require specialized diets. In her interview with the Dallas Morning News, Slifka mentioned four Marabou stork chicks that had recently been hatched. In the wild, newborns of this species mostly subsist on the corpses of small animals. To supply its little birds with intact dead prey, the Dallas Zoo paid a pretty penny: By the time the young storks were 110 days old, their food-related expenses had totaled a whopping $10,000.

6. TO PREVENT THEIR CRITTERS FROM GETTING BORED, KEEPERS OFFER WHAT’S KNOWN AS “ENRICHMENT.”

Adequate food and space will keep captive animals alive, but stimulation—both the physical and psychological sort—is what helps them to thrive. “Enrichment” is a process whereby zookeepers prompt their critters into exercising their minds or displaying certain behaviors they’d normally exhibit in the wild. A quick scenery change can make for a good start. At zoos, caretakers occasionally add or remove certain things from their animals’ enclosures, forcing the residents to utilize their natural instincts as they mentally process the alteration. For example, Japanese macaques at the Minnesota Zoo wake up every so often to discover a brand-new leaf pile to dig through. Enrichment can also be aromatic: At Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, the staff place various perfumes and spices around their tiger paddock. When confronted with odd new smells, the big cats might respond by rubbing, scratching, or marking their territories.

According to the Fort Worth Zoo, enrichment increases the “behavioral choices available to animals.” Simply put, by changing the status quo, enrichment provides animals with the opportunity to make decisions about how to react. Give an elephant a bright-pink volleyball (as the Columbus Zoo did recently), and he might bat at it with his trunk, kick it through a pond, or try to squish it with his feet.

7. ZOO VETS USUALLY MAKE LESS MONEY THAN REGULAR VETS.

You might think that the opposite would be true, but according to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Veterinary Medical Association, vets who work at zoos have a lower median salary than general veterinarians. Why? To begin with, many AZA-accredited zoos are nonprofit establishments. Therefore, vets who work there don’t always make the sort of income that a private practice might yield. Also, since there are only so many zoos in the world, job opportunities are rather limited.

Still, to hear most zoo vets tell it, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more rewarding career. “[There] is an exciting moment every single day,” says Dr. Suzan Murray of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. As chief veterinarian, she’s expected to tackle a wide array of fascinating challenges. “Each one is a little bit different, whether it’s coming up with a treatment for coral, diagnosing a problem in a Burmese python, or visiting an elephant we’re hoping is pregnant,” Murray explains. “Every day offers a bounty of surprises.”

8. ANIMALS IN NOCTURNAL EXHIBITS DON’T ADJUST RIGHT AWAY.

Certain zoos have designated nocturnal houses, thick-walled buildings that allow guests to check out bats, bearcats, civets, and other creatures of the night during normal business hours. By day, they’re usually lit with dim red, blue, green, and yellow lights. But late at night, bright white fluorescent bulbs are turned on. This has the effect of reversing the resident animals’ normal sleep cycles so that they’re more active when zoo visitors are around and sleep when the humans do.

For the critters involved, the transition can take time. “When we get animals from a non-nocturnal building, there is an adjustment period,” Bob says. “Most seem to adapt in about a week’s time. We had one [kinkajou, also known as a honey bear], though, that took over a month to adjust.”

9. CAPTIVE BREEDING TAKES CROSS-COUNTRY COORDINATION.

What do Przewalski’s horse, the Arabian oryx, and golden lion tamarin have in common? Without captive breeding efforts—mating orchestrated in controlled environments like zoos and wildlife preserves—they might be critically endangered, or worse.

One of the ways zoos contribute to conservation efforts is by participating in Species Survival Plans (SSPs). Organized by the AZA, these are rigorously regulated breeding programs for rare, threatened, or endangered animals. The goal is to form a genetically diverse captive population, with member animals usually dispersed among several zoos and/or aquariums. In total, there are almost 500 individual SSPs, each headed by a coordinator.

Craig Saffoe, a curator at the National Zoo, leads several different breeding programs for big carnivores, all done in accordance with the appropriate SSP committee. “The first step is that we have to find two animals that actually get along together and are compatible breeding partners,” he says. “For that, we don’t just look at the current collection at the National Zoo. We look at the whole zoo population within the United States.”

Choosing the right pair is a process that involves working closely with the relevant SSP. “When the Species Survival Plan group gets together, they decide what the best route is to keep the entire North American population genetically healthy,” Saffoe notes. “Once my team and I have worked successfully with the SSP to match two animals on paper … it’s our job then to find out if the animals are actually physically compatible.” More often than not, at least one animal will have to be transferred between zoos before any first dates can take place.

10. THE WORD “DEDICATION” WAS INVENTED FOR ZOOKEEPERS.

Make no mistake, this isn’t an easy line of work to break into. Just ask the San Diego Zoo’s HR department, whose employees report that it’s “not unusual” for them to receive literally hundreds of applications when a single animal care job opens up. If you beat the odds and get hired, note that the average American zookeeper takes home a salary of just $29,000 per year.

Despite all this, keepers can rank among the most passionate and devoted people you’ll ever meet. “Just recently when Hurricane Matthew hit, tons of keepers [in affected areas] slept in their zoos, hunkered down in case the animals needed emergency help,” Bob says. In his eyes, such dedication is the rule, rather than the exception. “We go in at two A.M. to check on new moms … We are constantly researching ways to improve welfare and our own personal knowledge.”

What’s more, zookeepers enjoy a tight-knit community. According to Bob, “Everyone knows someone who works at another zoo and on Facebook, everyone is so supportive. There are closed groups of keepers where new ideas are constantly exchanged and people help support strangers when they lose an old, beloved animal. What we do is so hard and stressful and you always have to fight caregiver stress syndrome, but we power through and I wouldn’t trade this life for anything!”

*Some names have been changed.

All photos via iStock.

If you’ve browsed the internet, turned on a TV, or been to the Chicago area recently, you may have heard the news: The Cubs finally broke their 108-year-old curse with a nail-biting World Series win against the Cleveland Indians last night.

The championship marked the first time the team had made it to the World Series since 1945, and their first victory since 1908 (to put that in context, Thomas Edison, Franz Ferdinand, and Al Capone were all around for that W). To commemorate the historic triumph, The Chicago Tribune dug through their archives to republish their front page story from October 15, 1908.

#1908 Chicago Tribune cover when #Cubbies won their last World Series:) @johncusack pic.twitter.com/YtJ9CklfYd

— Becca Renee (@Becca42983) November 2, 2016

The cover, which reads “Cubs supreme in baseball world,” is reminiscent of a time when life was good for Chicago sports fans. From 1906 to 1908, the Cubs appeared in three consecutive World Series, becoming the first major league team to do so. The article reporting their 1908 win reads:

“Not in the memory of this generation of fans has any team ever won its honors with greater credit than that which belongs to Frank Chance’s warriors. Not in a thousand years has a team been compelled to fight as hard for its titles as the Chicago team, which won the National league pennant twice inside of five days under the most trying circumstances.”

Any Cubs fans can tell you that it hasn’t exactly been smooth travels for the team since. A number of supposed curses, including one connected to a famous, smelly goat, have been blamed for the Cubs’ decades-long bad luck streak. But after more than a century of heartbreak, the loyalty of their fans has finally paid off. In 1908, the Tribune wrote, “What those gray clad modest young warriors have accomplished will be remembered longer than any of them lives,” a statement that rings just as true today.

[h/t The Chicago Tribune]

Most wheelchair designs are often focused around users’ comfort in everyday use, promising a better fit or a greater ease of movement. But wheelchair users want to do more than just move around without getting chafed. One wheelchair design in development supports dancers who can’t necessarily perform without mechanical aid. Science Friday reports that a University of South Florida-born power wheelchair is made to allow its users to move expressively, giving them the freedom of movement that dancing requires.

Wheelchair dance isn’t a new phenomenon. In fact, for some people, dancing is more than just sport. It’s a form of therapy. Parkinson’s patients, for instance, often show symptom improvement after regular dance training. But performers often use chairs that are rigid and not designed for modern dance. The Rolling Dance Chair, by contrast, has greater flexibility to move in any direction. And when users move, the chair follows.

Through a wireless connection with the accelerometer and other motion sensors on the user’s phone, the chair can sense the person is leaning, and lean with them. The wheels are tucked away to prevent costumes from getting tangled. And like a Segway (which partially served as a design precedent), the chair moves faster the more the user leans.

Merry Lynn Morris, the inventor, has been working on the dance chair for five years, and it’s the subject of five different patents. She began working on the device while working with dancers with disabilities who couldn’t control their lower bodies, but whose upper bodies were strong enough that the chairs they were using did more to hinder their performance than aid it.

The first prototype debuted in 2013, but Morris and her colleagues are working on a new one with hopes to put it on the commercial market. Right now, the seat isn’t powered to rotate or adjust the height, requiring manual manipulation, and it needs better wheels to make it quieter on all surfaces.

[h/t Science Friday]

Header image by Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images

Thinking of leaving the world of manual toothbrushes behind and going electric? Smart move – an electric brush may be better at reducing dental plaque and gingivitis than that ancient toothbrush that’s been sitting by your sink for months. Even better, Amazon’s making it particularly easy to take the plunge. The Philips Sonicare Essence Sonic Rechargeable model is down to just $19.97 after you clip an on-screen coupon. This model is Amazon’s best-selling electric toothbrush, and the reviews back up its popularity: The Sonicare Essence currently has a 4.4-star average on over 2,300 reviews. Grab this deal and start enjoying healthier chompers. 

Buy at Amazon: Philips Sonicare Essence Sonic Rechargeable Toothbrush for $19.97 after on-screen coupon (list price $49.99) 

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy.

A number of famous names have been involved in reforming the English spelling system over the centuries, but probably one of the most unexpected names on that list is Theodore Roosevelt. Known for his uncompromising stance on many issues, in the early 1900s Roosevelt used the full power of his position to try to force through several hundred new spelling reforms in an attempt to make the language—and the cost of printing government documents—more economical. Despite even the president’s involvement, however, in the end Roosevelt’s war on spelling collapsed before it was able to have any lasting effect on our spelling.

FRANKLIN, WEBSTER, AND THE WAR ON WORDS

Probably the most famous spelling reformer in the history of American English, if not the English language as a whole, is Noah Webster. He famously proposed a number of potential simplifications of the English language in his Compendious Dictionary in 1806, and then again in his American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828. Webster’s proposals, however, were actually inspired by the earlier work of Benjamin Franklin, whose idea for reforming the English language involved both adopting a purely phonetic spelling system and dropping the letters C, J, Q, W, X, and Y from the alphabet entirely, to be replaced by six less potentially ambiguous letters of his own design.

Franklin devised his phonetic alphabet as far back as 1768, when he wrote a letter to a friend to explain that “if we go on as we have done a few Centuries longer, our words will gradually cease to express Sounds; they will only stand for things, as the written words do in the Chinese Language.” Although Franklin’s ultimate goal of increasing literacy and making English easier to learn was commendable, his friend, Mary “Polly” Stevenson, was unimpressed with his proposal. Using Franklin’s invented alphabet for her reply, she pointed out that using a purely phonetic alphabet meant cutting the ties between spelling and etymology, and would make differentiating between words that sound the same all but impossible. Webster, however, was more enthusiastic.

In 1786, he sent his own plan for a purely phonetic alphabet to Franklin, hoping to win his support in establishing it as a national standard. Franklin responded positively, saying, “I think the Reformation not only necessary but practicable.” The founding father suggested that, since he had already done a great deal of work on the subject (and due to inherent difficulties in discussing such things in letter format), the two should meet up to discuss a path forward. But in reality, Franklin no doubt envisaged the enormous difficulty in implementing such a scheme nationwide.

The idea was eventually abandoned, and Webster—driven by a desire to sever ties between the English used in Great Britain and the English used in the newly independent United States—was left to pursue much less radical changes. Although not all of the spelling reforms he went on to suggest may have hit the mark (his preference for the spellings tung, soop, aker, dawter, porpess, beleev, and masheen leave a lot to be desired), Webster was more successful when it came to the likes of dropping the extraneous letters of colour, waggon, and publick, and simplifying the spelling of words like plough and aeon—changes that continue to divide British and American English today.

PITMAN SHORTHAND AND BRIGHAM YOUNG’S ALPHABET

Other attempts to reform the language followed on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the 19th century. In the 1830s, the British schoolteacher Isaac Pitman published a series of pamphlets arguing for a reform of the English language; his research eventually led to his invention of a shorthand writing system. In 1842, a French scholar named Auguste Thibaudin proposed an insanely complicated alphanumeric system—albeit one that would work across all languages that used the Roman alphabet—in which different vowel sounds were replaced with the numbers from 1 to 9 and six additional symbols. Even Mormon Church leader Brigham Young got in on the act in 1854, advocating that his followers use a “Deseret Alphabet” developed by a committee at the University of Deseret (now the University of Utah). And following the formation of the Spelling Reform Association in 1876, in 1898 America’s National Education Association put its weight (with varying degrees of success) behind the adoption of 12 of the SRA’s suggested reforms in all educational material nationwide: program, tho, altho, thoro, thorofare, thru, thruout, catalog, prolog, decalog, demagog, and pedagog.

But perhaps the last major attempt to reform the English spelling system came almost a century after the publication of Webster’s Compendious Dictionary, and it was this final attempt that gained the support of President Roosevelt—and the most powerful and well-known American writers and figures of the day.

CARNEGIE AND THE SIMPLIFIED SPELLING BOARD

The Simplified Spelling Board was founded in 1906 by the Scottish-born steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie had long had an interest in language and the arts (he funded and gave his name to more than 2500 libraries worldwide), and, prompted by the various attempts at simplifying the language in the 1800s, soon turned his attention to spelling reform after the turn of the century. Given his background in business and overseas trade, Carnegie saw the potential for English to become, as The New York Times put it, “the world language of the future,” and saw a single global language common to everyone as a stepping stone to world peace. But in this respect, he believed, English was being held back by its “contradictory and difficult spelling.”

In response, Carnegie funded the establishment of a board of experts tasked with reforming the language to make it easier to learn and more economical, both linguistically and financially—removing all the unnecessary letters from all the words in the language could, after all, save a considerable amount of ink and paper.

As the Board’s first published circular explained in 1906:

[The present English spelling system] wastes a large part of time and effort given to the instruction of our children, keeping them, for example, from one to two years behind the schoolchildren of Germany … Moreover, the printing, typewriting and handwriting of the useless letters which our spelling prescribes … wastes every year millions of dollars, and time and effort worth millions more.

Carnegie set aside $15,000 per year (eventually raised to an eye-watering $25,000) for five years to fund the project, equivalent to well over $2 million today. He secured a plush office space on Madison Avenue in New York, and there assembled a group of 30 writers, language experts, scholars, and public figures—among them Melvil Dewey (of the Dewey Decimal System) and David Josiah Brewer (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court). According to its chairman, Columbia University’s professor of dramatic literature Brander Matthews, the principal aim of the Simplified Spelling Board was merely to accelerate the kinds of language changes that were likely to occur over time anyway, regardless of the Board’s involvement. To that end, they were to focus in particular on dropping unneeded or unpronounced letters—or, as Professor Matthews put it, a kind of “simplification by omission.”

Their first task was merely to advocate further the 12 spelling reforms put forward by the Spelling Reform and National Education Associations in 1898, which entailed lobbying several influential writers and publications (The New York Times among them) to utilize the reforms in their work. But having set to work themselves, it wasn’t long before the Board had soon assembled its own selection of 300 such reforms, which they published in full at the end of March 1906.

KIST, MIST, PAST: THE BOARD’S SUGGESTED REFORMS

Many of the Board’s own suggestions had already been proposed by Webster, or else were already establishing themselves as perfectly acceptable spelling variations in American English, like center, checks, esthetic, theater, and sulfurous; the use of S instead of C in words like offense and defense; and the dropping of the extraneous E’s in the likes of judgment, lodgment, and acknowledgment. Many of the Board’s choices were likewise relatively understandable alterations, aimed merely at simplifying troublesome words. So the G was lost from apothegm, and the vowel clusters in words like archaeology, subpoena, and diaeresis were reduced. Other suggestions, however, were more radical.

Purr and burr were to be clipped to pur and bur. Out went the letter A in the middle of deth. Steadfast became stedfast. Hard S’s were to be changed to Z’s, so that surprise, compromise, and partisan became surprize, compromize, and partizan. Rhyme became rime. Phoenix became phenix. Gazelle became gazel. And, perhaps most bizarrely of all, the straightforward –ed endings of a number of words were to be uncompromisingly replaced with –t, so that as well as kist, addrest, propt, wrapt, clapt, flipt, and dipt, the word passed became past and the word missed became mist, regardless of any potential confusion that might cause.

Despite several questionable choices and troublesome shortcomings like these, the Board’s suggestions were initially well received by the press and were even advocated by the New York Board of Education for use in the city’s schools. But the biggest step forward came several months after the list was published, on August 27, 1906: Reportedly without contacting the Board first, President Roosevelt issued an executive order forcing all future publications of the Government Printing Office to adopt the new spelling system in its entirety. The move was an immense, if somewhat unexpected, coup for the success of the Board’s project—but, as it turned out, it was one that would eventually lead to its collapse.

BACKLASH AND THE AFTERMATH: THE RESPONSE TO RUSEVELT’S RULES

Roosevelt’s characteristically no-nonsense and swift-acting approach was nothing new (he passed more than 1000 executive orders during his presidency; Barack Obama has signed around 250). But his steamroller approach to the language and to spelling reform did not go down well, both at home and abroad. A wave of satirical cartoons and damning newspaper editorials ensued on both sides of the Atlantic, all of them mocking the President’s apparent war on language.

“Nuthing escapes Mr. Rucevelt. No subject is tu hi fr him to takl, nor tu lo for him tu notis. He makes tretis without the consent of the Senit. He inforces such laws as meet his approval, and fales to se those that do not soot him. He now assales the English langgwidg, constitutes himself as a sort of Frensh academy, and will reform the spelling in a way tu soot himself.”

—The Louisville Courier-Journal, 1906

The Baltimore Sun questioned whether President Roosevelt would now spell his name “Rusevelt.” The New York Times reported that “Roosevelt’s spelling order has done him more harm than perhaps any other act of his since he became president.” In Britain, the feeling was even more vitriolic: the Pall Mall Gazette labeled him “an anarchist,” while the Saturday Review called America “The Home of the Free and the Paradise of the Half-Educated.” The London Evening Standard raged, “How dare this Roosevelt fellow … dictate to us how to spell a language which was ours while America was still a savage and undiscovered country!” Even Roosevelt’s wife, Edith, joked that the president only supported the reform because he didn’t know “how to spell anything.”

In the face of all this criticism, the Supreme Court chose to ignore Roosevelt’s decree—but the President remained steadfast, even going so far as to employ the spelling system he was so staunchly advocating in his annual address to Congress in 1906, in which he wrote of naval recruits being “put thru” too quickly to senior grades at “regimental posts scattered thruout the country.” But it was all for nothing: On December 13, 1906, the House of Representatives voted 142–25 to banish the suggested spelling reforms from their publications, and dictated instead that all United States government documents “should observe and adhere to the standard of orthography prescribed in generally accepted dictionaries of the English language.” Roosevelt was defeated.

Despite a protest by Professor Matthews, the president immediately repealed his executive order, stating that it was “evidently worse than useless to go into an undignified contest” against Congress, but concluded finally that, “I am mighty glad I did the thing anyhow.” Mark Twain was just as disappointed, and wrote to Carnegie to say that “I am sory as a dog, for I do love revolutions and violense.” Carnegie didn’t lose faith immediately, though. He continued funding the group through 1915 when, $300,000 poorer, he wrote to Matthews to explain that he was withdrawing its funding: “I think I have been patient long enuf,” he wrote. “I have a much better use for twenty-five thousand dollars a year.”

Both Roosevelt and Carnegie died in 1919, after which the Board struggled to secure more funding. Their last act was to publish a Handbook of Simplified Spelling, written wholly in their reformed English, in 1920, before they finally disbanded later that year. Although a number of the Board’s suggested reforms remain in place today, on the whole the project failed to have much of a lasting effect on the language—despite having the backing of a president.

As a recurring feature, our team combs the Web and shares some amazing Amazon deals we’ve turned up. Here’s what caught our eye today, November 3.

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!

GADGETS

Coast G20 LED Inspection Beam Flashlight for $10.97 (list price $18.00)

TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless 4.1 Magnetic Earbuds Stereo Earphones, Secure Fit for Sports with Built-in Mic [Upgraded Version] for $30.99 (list price $69.99)

Infrared thermometer Janisa PM6530B Non Contact Digital Laser Thermometer Temperature Gun Circle Color Display -50℃ to 550℃ With 12 Point Aperture Temperature Alarm Function for $25.96 (list price $66.32)

Anker PowerCore 5000 Portable Charger, Ultra-Compact External Battery with Fast-Charging Technology, Power Bank for iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy and more for $16.99 (list price $49.99)

Wireless Headphones, SmartOmi Boots Mini Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 4.1 with Mic and Sweatproof Cordless Stereo Headphones no wires for Cellphone on Sports or Driving for $72.99 (list price $139.99)

Jackery Bar Premium 6000 mAh External Battery Charger – Portable Charger and Power Bank with Panasonic Battery Cells and Aluminum Shell for iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iPad, Galaxy & Other Smart Devices (Black) for $12.99 (list price $49.99)

Kinsa Smart Digital Thermometer – Pediatrician Recommended Medical Thermometer and Baby Thermometer – Newest Kinsa Smart Stick Model (2016) for $19.01 (list price $29.99)

Lightning Cable, KOOWIEN 3Pack 3FT 6FT 10FT Popular Nylon Braided Charging Cable Extra Long 8pin USB Cord Charger for $11.99 (list price $14.99)

Seedling Design Your Own Headphones, Street Art Kit, Design Your Own Virtual Reality With Maze By Seedling App for $24.99 (list price $29.99)

Spigen S350 Apple Watch Stand with Night Stand Mode for Apple Watch Series 1 / Series 2 / 42mm / 38mm for $6.99 (list price $18.99)

Atlas Wristband 2: Digital Trainer + Heart Rate Band for $159.99 (list price $199.99)

Sideclick Remotes SC2-APG3K Universal Remote Attachment for Apple TV for $24.00 (list price $29.99)

Korner Home Security & App, 3 Door and Window Wireless Sensors, indoor Alarm Siren for $93.00 (list price $99.98)

LAPA – Black Find everything that matters, from keys to your phone for $25.50 (list price $29.95)

Earhoox for Round Earbuds – The #1 Earbud Attachment Popular for iPhone 3G/4S, Sony, JVC, Skullcandy and Other Earbuds, Black for $8.49 (list price $9.99)

Invicta Men’s 3044 Stainless Steel Grand Diver Automatic Watch for $99.98 (list price $545.00)

Invicta Men’s 15145 Pro Diver Stainless Steel Watch With Black Polyurethane Band for $76.76 (list price $695.00)

Armitron Sport Women’s Quartz Resin Fitness Watch, Color:Grey (Model: 45/7064SGY) for $17.99 (list price $29.99)

KITCHEN

Cuisinart 722-20NS Chef’s Classic Stainless Nonstick 8-Inch Open Skillet for $16.19 (list price $55.00)

Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System Starter Kit 710 for $47.99 (list price $97.27)

BLACK+DECKER TO1303SB 4-Slice Toaster Oven, Stainless Steel/Black for $22.97 (list price $39.99)

1Easylife Offset Cake Icing Spatula Set with Wooden Handle, 7.5″ – 10.8″ – 12.8″ Angled Cake Frosting Spatula, Professional Stainless Steel Cake Decorating Spatulas (4″-6″-8″ Blade) for $12.19 (list price $18.99)

Trivae Trivet in Spring Green for $68.00 (list price $80.00)

WMF Manaos / Bistro Grapefruit Spoon, Set of 4 for $8.60 (list price $13.99)

Wine Chiller: BlizeTec 3-in-1 Stainless Steel Wine Bottle Cooler Stick with Aerator and Pourer for $18.98 (list price $36.99)

Vintorio Wine Aerator Pourer – Premium Aerating Pourer and Decanter Spout (Black) for $13.95 (list price $40.95)

Rosewood 6-Piece Steak Knife Set for $15.49 (list price $19.95)

VonShef 7- Egg Electric Cooker Stainless Steel with Poacher & Steamer Attachment for $15.94 (list price $34.99)

OXO On Barista Brain 12 Cup Coffee Maker with Removable Kettle for $198.29 (list price $299.99)

Cangshan D Series 59120 German Steel Forged Chef’s Knife, 8-Inch for $31.22 (list price $49.95)

Ozeri ZK19 Touch III 10 kg Digital Kitchen Scale with Calorie Counter, 22 lb, Black for $22.99 (list price $59.99)

Lodge L2SP3 Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Serving Pot, 2-Quart for $24.99 (list price $40.00)

Melange Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Quarter Sheet with Non-Stick Silicone Coating, Pack of 2 for $8.36 (list price $19.87)

Vandor 99661 Star Wars Darth Vader “The Dark Side” 12 oz Ceramic Mug, Black and Red for $7.51 (list price $12.00)

Great Northern Popcorn Black 4 oz. Ounce Foundation Old-Fashioned Popcorn Popper and Cart for $183.00 (list price $469.95)

Oster CKSTGRRD25 20-by-10-Inch Digital Griddle with Removable Plate, Gray for $34.16 (list price $59.99)

Guy Fieri 10-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set, Black for $80.54 (list price $99.99)

Premium Pantry Moth Traps (6 Blue Traps) With Pheromone Attractant | 100% Safe, Non-Toxic and Insecticide Free by Dr. Killigan’s for $14.97 (list price $22.97)

Coffee Variety Sampler Pack for Keurig K-Cup Brewers, 40 Count for $24.90 (list price $31.99)

Unique Double Sided, Non Slip Design Cutting Board by Checkered Chef. Poly/Plastic Board . 14″ x 10″ Dishwasher Safe. for $13.97 (list price $29.95)

#1 Best Bamboo Cutting Board Set. A Set of 3 Chopping Boards by Premium Bamboo for $17.74 (list price $49.99)

Unbreakable Beer Glasses – 100% Tritan – Shatterproof, Reusable, Dishwasher Safe (Set of 4) by D’Eco for $24.95 (list price $29.95)

HQY 3 Pack Heavy Duty Bottle Opener, Pink&Yellow&Black for $9.61 (list price $19.99)

Keurig K55 Coffee Maker, Black for $99.00 (list price $119.99)

Fox Run Brands Mini Whisks, Set of 4 for $4.96 (list price $12.00)

Gourmia GJ-750 Wide Mouth Fruit and Vegetable Centrifugal Juicer Juice Extractor with Multiple Settings, Stainless Steel, 850W, Silver/Black for $39.10 (list price $54.99)

Fit & Fresh Classic Insulated Lunch Bag Kit with Reusable Containers for $24.28 (list price $29.99)

Contigo AUTOSEAL West Loop Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug with Easy-Clean Lid, 16oz, Black for $13.91 (list price $20.99)

HOME

Renegade Broom, 18 inch for $31.45 (list price $37.00)

PuraSleep Serenity Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress – Made In The USA – 10 Year Warranty – Queen for $349.00 (list price $1,399.00)

Feed and Go Smart Pet Feeder. Automatic Pet Feeder For Dogs and Cats, Built In Webcam & Wi-Fi, Great For Wet/Dry Food Treats & Medication, Compatible With iOS/Android, 18″ L x 16″ W x 3″ H for $199.00 (list price $249.00)

iRobot Roomba 650 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner for $299.99 (list price $374.99)

Timberland Luggage Jay Peak Four Piece Set, Burnt Olive, One Size for $249.00 (list price $351.00)

InterDesign Axis Scarf Hanger, No Snag Storage for Scarves, Ties, Belts, Shawls, Pashminas, Accessories – 18 Loops Each, 2-Pack, Chrome for $15.73 

Lullabi Bedding 100% Ultra Soft Microfiber, Double-side Brushed Finish, Wrinkle, Fade, Stain Resistant, One Fitted Bed Sheet (Twin, Gray) for $12.99 (list price $29.99)

Ollieroo 10 Pack Aromatic Moth Protection Repellent Cedar Hang Up with Light Cedar Fragrance Odour Protection for wardrobes Large Size 9.05″x 2.6″x 0.4″ for $18.99 (list price $39.99)

Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Stick Vacuum (SV1106) for $84.99 (list price $129.99)

Sleep Innovations 2 inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper and Waterproof Mattress Pad – Twin XL for $49.43 (list price $89.99)

Sleep Master Ultima Comfort 12 Inch Euro Box Top Spring Mattress, Queen for $289.00 (list price $339.99)

Millenium 1600 Series 4 Piece Dobby Stripe Sheet Set. (4 Sizes, 9 Colors) (Queen, White) for $14.99 (list price $89.99)

Whitmor Adjustable Clothes / Garment Rack, Black & Chrome for $12.99 (list price $38.85)

Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier with Auto Shut-Off for $23.89 after on-screen coupon (list price $35.99)

Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, for $95.99 (list price $199.99)

Pinzon 6-Piece Egyptian Cotton Towel Set – Grey for $24.99 

Sunbeam Microplush Heated Blanket with ComfortTech Controller, Queen, Slate for $64.01 (list price $89.99)

RotoScrub Bathroom Cleaning Drill Accessory Kit for $14.95

Yankee Candle Company Margarita Time Large Jar Candle for $20.99 (list price $27.99)

Zeroedge Stick-on Anywhere Portable 10-LED Wireless Motion Sensing Closet Cabinet LED Night Light / Stairs Light / Step Light Bar (Battery Operated) for $19.99 (list price $45.99)

Duraflame 625 Firelog (6 Pack), 2.5 lb for $14.88 (list price $21.49)

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop for $27.41 (list price $35.65)

Nine Stars DZT-50-9 Infrared Touchless Stainless Steel Trash Can, 13.2-Gallon for $49.00 (list price $82.00)

Seville Classics 3-Tier Resin-Wood Composite Utility Shoe Rack (Single Pack) for $29.99 (list price $39.99)

Household Essentials Holiday Ornament Storage Chest for 36-Piece, Red with Green Trim for $17.12 (list price $34.99)

Household Essentials Medium Vision Storage Box, Coffee Linen for $11.05 (list price $18.99)

IRIS Medium Stacking Bin, Clear for $9.12 (list price $25.42)

Premium Velvet Hangers (Pack of 50) Heavy Duty – Non Slip – Velvet Suit Hangers by Utopia Home for $29.99 (list price $39.99)

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash – Fragrance Free – 18 oz – 2 pk for $13.42 (list price $17.45)

Aveeno Body Wash – Hydrating – 16 oz – 2 pk for $15.85 (list price $13.85)

Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil, Free Makeup Remover Wipes – 25 ct – 2 pk for $12.62 (list price $16.20)

Neutrogena Hydrating Eye Makeup Remover Lotion – 3 oz – 2 pk for $12.80 (list price $17.06)

LuckyFine Blackhead Remover Cleaner Purifying Deep Cleansing Acne Black Mud Face Mask Peel-off (#1) for $4.99 (list price $10.40)

Biotin (High Potency) 5000mcg Per Veggie Softgel; Enhanced with Coconut Oil for better absorption; Supports Hair Growth, Glowing Skin and Strong Nails; 120 Mini-Veggie Softgels; Made In USA. for $14.95 (list price $29.95)

Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel, 7 Oz for $3.83 (list price $9.99)

Aesthetica Cosmetics Beauty Sponge Blender – Latex Free and Vegan Makeup Sponge – For Powder, Cream or Liquid Application – One Piece for $12.00 (list price $19.00)

Eye Cream for Puffiness, Dark Circles, Wrinkles & Bags – The most effective eye gel for every eye concern – All Natural Ingredients – 0.5 fl oz for $15.95 (list price $59.99)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15, 4 Oz for $10.92 (list price $22.41)

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, 25 ct, 2 Pack for $18.22 (list price $18.19)

Body Oil, Original, 8.5 oz, 2 pk for $16.00 (list price $21.25)

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner – 8.5 oz – 2 pk for $14.60 (list price $12.59)

Neutrogena Micro-Mist Tanning Sunless Spray-5.3 oz, 2 pack for $23.29 (list price $19.75)

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 45 – 2 ct – 2 pk for $28.29 (list price $24.79)

Neutrogena Pure & Free Liquid Daily Sunscreen SPF 50, 1.40 oz for $14.82 (list price $11.85)

BESTOPE Blackhead Remover Pimple Comedone Extractor Tool Best Acne Removal Kit – Treatment for Blemish, Whitehead Popping, Zit Removing for Risk Free Nose Face Skin with Metal Case for $9.99 (list price $39.99)

Aromatherapy Top 6 Essential Oils 100% Pure & Therapeutic grade – Basic Sampler Gift Set & Premium Kit – 6/10 Ml (Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Orange, Peppermint) for $15.95 (list price $79.99)

EmaxDesign 20 Pieces Makeup Brush Set Professional Face Eye Shadow Eyeliner Foundation Blush Lip Makeup Brushes Powder Liquid Cream Cosmetics Blending Brush Tool for $7.99 (list price $29.99)

Aria Starr Beauty Dead Sea Mud Mask For Face, Acne, Oily Skin & Blackheads – Best Facial Pore Minimizer, Reducer & Pores Cleanser Treatment – 100% Natural For Younger Looking Skin 8.8oz for $14.95 (list price $58.95)

Radha Beauty Rosehip Oil – 100% Pure Cold Pressed Certified Organic 4 fl. oz. – BEST moisturizer to heal Dry Skin & Fine Lines – Virgin Rose Hip Seed Oil For Face and Skin for $13.95 (list price $49.99)

Hair Chalk | Metallic Glitter Temporary Hair Color – Edge Chalkers – Lasts up to 3 Days, No Mess, Built in Sealant, 80 Applications Per Stick, Works on All Hair Colors-6 COUNT. for $14.95 (list price $49.99)

Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Powder Play, 0.53 Ounce for $9.43 (list price $19.99)

Organic Anti Acne spot Treatment – The only 100% natural acne scar removal cream for sensitive skin that is 100% Vegan, Gluten-free, Non-GMO made only with botanical ingredients and plant extracts for $13.95 (list price $49.99)

Dial Complete Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash Refill, Spring Water, 32 Ounce for $3.57 (list price $15.60)

Foot Soak with Tea Tree Oil and Epsom Salt – 20 oz – Tea Tree Essential Oils Foot Bath Fights Fungus & Bacteria, Soothes Aches & Pains & Helps Soften Corns & Calluses for $19.95 (list price $59.95)

Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser Sensitive Skin, 6.5 oz, 2 pk for $11.90 (list price $10.89)

Reskin Solution Monday To Sunday One Week Treatment Sheet Mask 7pcs pack-Contains 25g of essence for $15.99 (list price $19.99)

Philips Norelco Electric Shaver 2100, S1560/81 for $29.95 (list price $39.99)

Braun Series 7 790cc-4 Electric Foil Shaver for Men with Clean and Charge Station, Electric Men’s Razor, Razors, Shavers, Cordless Shaving System for $158.74 (list price $289.99)

EFINNY Charcoal Blackhead Remover Deep Cleansing Peel Off Acne Black Mask for $4.99 (list price $15.99)

OFFICE, SCHOOL, AND CRAFTS

Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine With 60 Built-In Stitches, 7 styles of 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholes, Quilting Table, and Hard Cover for $144.99 (list price $449.00)

Sugru Moldable Glue – Black & White (Pack of 8) for $15.36 (list price $22.00)

ACCO Binder Clips, Medium, 12 Per Box (72050) for $1.09 (list price $3.96)

Avery Economy Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free (75091) for $8.09 (list price $19.49)

Fabric Markers with Permanent Brilliant Colors in Dual-Tipped Markers for Creating Washable Art and Lettering (12 piece) by Creative Joy for $11.99 (list price $19.99)

Fancii LED Lighted Slide out Pocket Magnifying Glass – 10X 20X and 30X Multi-Power Small Portable Loupe Magnifier with UV Black Light for $35.99 (list price $35.99)

Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Markers 10-Pack for $6.50 (list price $9.99)

Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, Class Pack, Box of 192 for $115.45 (list price $207.99)

Fiskars Stitcher Scissors (No. 5) for $11.08 (list price $14.99)

Bic Usa Inc BICMSBAP81 19627 Bic Cristal Xtra Bold Pack Of 8 for $4.91

Koh-I-Noor Progresso Woodless Colored 24-Pencil Set, Assorted Colors (FA8758.24) for $14.08

LAMPAT Dimmable LED Desk Lamp, Black for $25.99 (list price $139.99)

Paper Mate Flair Porous-Point Felt Tip Pen, Medium Tip, 8-Pack, Core Colors (74740PP) for $10.32 (list price $13.49)

Uni-Ball 307 Gel Pen, 12-Pack, Blue (1927632) for $12.29 (list price $15.86)

Sharpie Black Brush Tip Permanent Markers set of 12 for $12.51 (list price $27.24)

Oxford Blank Index Cards, 3×5-Inch, White, 100 Pack for $0.89 (list price $1.65)

Uni-Ball KuruToga 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil Starter Set for $5.62 (list price $7.36)

Paper Mate InkJoy 100RT Retractable Ballpoint Pens, Medium Point, Assorted, 20 Pack (1951396) for $7.47 (list price $10.64)

Lipper International 4-tier Mini Desk Organizer, Brown for $19.86 (list price $29.99)

Sharpie Pen, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 6-Count for $7.59 (list price $8.94)

Uni-Ball 207 Impact Stick Rollerball Gel Pen, Red Ink, Bold Point, Dozen (SAN65802) for $16.55 (list price $38.49)

EXPO Original Dry Erase Markers, Fine Point, Blue, 12-Count for $7.50 (list price $9.35)

Mr. Sketch Scented Markers, Chisel Tip, Intergalactic Neon, 6-Count for $5.08 (list price $8.99)

OUTDOORS, GARDEN, AND SPORTS

Ray-Ban RB2132 New Wayfarer Non Polarized Sunglasses,Tortoise frame,Crystal Green lenses,55mm for $88.56 (list price $140.00)

Streamlight 66121 Stylus Pro Pen Light with White LED and Holster, Silver for $$14.46 after on-screen coupon (list price $34.00)

GO Outfitters Go Hammock, Gray for $46.39 (list price $59.40)

Asamoom Reflective Stripe 60 MPH Windproof Umbrella, Double Canopy Auto Open Close Waterproof 300T Fabric Compact Travel Automatic Folding Umbrellas for $16.99 (list price $42.98)

Seedling Design Your Own Marble Maze, Design Your Own Virtual Reality With Bonus VR Viewer for $49.99 (list price $59.99)

UCO Stormproof Torch Windproof Lighter with Emergency Utility Tape for $15.98 (list price $19.98)

Best Choice Products 3pc Rattan Patio Bistro Set Hand Woven Furniture for $93.90 (list price $120.31)

Ankle / Wrist Weights (1 Pair, Two 1 lbs) for Women, Men and Kids – Fully Adjustable Weight for Arm, Hand & Leg – Best for Walking, Jogging, Gymnastics, Aerobics, Gym – (Sleek Grey) – 1 Year Warranty for $19.95 (list price $39.95)

SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray – Advanced Police Strength – Compact Size with Clip, Contains 35 Bursts (5x Other Brands) & 10-Foot (3M) Range for $6.99 (list price $11.99)

Fnova Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Double Walled Vacuum Flask, Standard Mouth with 3 Caps, BPA-Free, Cold 24 Hrs / Hot 12 Hrs, 21oz for $19.99 (list price $24.99)

Buffalo Tools BUNGEE20 Bungee Cord Set – 20 Piece for $11.50 

GSI Outdoors Glaicer Stainless Percolator with Silicone Handle, 12 Cup for $33.74 (list price $43.86)

Perfect Fitness Perfect Pushup Elite for $20.49 (list price $23.77)

Columbia Women’s Mighty Lite Hooded Plush Jacket, Black, Medium for $74.96 (list price $130.00)

Bushnell Falcon 7×35 Binoculars with Case for $22.99 (list price $51.00)

Kershaw 8750TBLKBW Shuffle II Folding Knife with Tanto Blade and BlackWash Finish, Black for $15.75 (list price $29.99)

Camping Towels (2-Pack) – Includes Extra Large Bath Towel, Pack Towel & Mesh Bags – Quick Dry Microfiber, Compact & Multi-Use for $14.99 (list price $39.99)

Joy Voyage waterproof travel Money Belt with RFID protection. Travel wallet is comfortable for any waist – hides your passport, credit cards, phone and prevents theft for $14.99 (list price $24.99)

Greenworks 24012 7 Amp Single Speed Electric 160 MPH Blower for $29.98 (list price $49.99)

Hoont Powerful Outdoor Water Jet Blaster Animal Pest Repeller – Motion Activated – Blasts Cats, Dogs, Squirrels, Birds, Deer, Etc. Out of Your Property [UPGRADED VERSION] for $29.95 (list price $64.95)

Mystical Fire Flame Colorant, 25-Count Pouch Box for $16.68 (list price $25.99)

BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 40V MAX Lithium Ion Chainsaw, 12″ for $119.99 (list price $199.00)

SOG SOGfari 18″ Machete MC02-N – Hardcased Black Blade w/ Saw Back, Rubber Handle, Nylon Sheath for $17.99 (list price $33.00)

Scarecrow Fake Owl Decoy – Pest Repellent Garden Protector – (small) for $11.95 (list price $29.99)

Kabob Skewers, BearMoo 17” Stainless Steel Barbecue Skewers 7/20″ Flat Superior Metal Grilling Skewers Set – Reusable BBQ Sticks (Set of 10 +1 X Handy Storage) for $15.99 (list price $39.99)

Budweiser Stovetop Smoker – The Original Stainless Steel Smoker with Wood Chips – Works over any heat source, indoor or outdoor for $34.99 (list price $59.99)

OnGuard Pitbull STD U-Lock, Black, 4.53 x 9.06-Inch for $36.99 (list price $54.95)

Fleece Ear Warmers Headband / Ear Muffs – Stay Warm & Cozy with our Performance Polar Fleece. Perfect for Sports & Casual Wear (Gray) for $9.95 (list price $16.00)

High Sierra Access Backpack, Grey/Ash/Silver for $40.00 (list price $59.99)

2 – pack Q-yard Pruning Shear, Mini- Extra Sharp Garden Hand Pruners, Easier Cutting, Comfortable Ergonomic, Less Effort – Gardening Scissors for Men & Women for $17.36 (list price $19.50)

Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler (60-Quart, Ocean Blue) for $32.49 (list price $64.99)

Coleman QuickPump for $15.88 (list price $24.94)

Qliplet by Lulabop Carabiner Hanger with Rotating Folding Hook – Strong Clip for Camping, Travel; Adventure Tool; Sports Accessory; Organizing Gadget; Baby Gear for $17.51 (list price $19.95)

ELECTRONICS

Livescribe 2GB Echo Smartpen for $119.99 (list price $129.99)

Securifi Almond – (3 Minute Setup) Touchscreen Wi-Fi Wireless Router / Range Extender / Access Point / Wireless Bridge for $68.99 (list price $99.99)

Twisted Veins Two (2) Pack of (25 ft) High Speed HDMI Cables + Right Angle Adapter and Velcro Cable Ties (Latest Version Supports Ethernet, 3D, and Audio Return) for $16.96

iFamCare Helmet: 1080p Full HD Wi-Fi Digital Home Video Monitor for iPhone and Android with Air Sensor, Night Vision, Built-in Laser, Black for $75.96 (list price $99.95)

SystemWorks EM1000 52 PC Microscope Set with Carrying Case for $27.99 (list price $39.99)

All-New Kindle E-reader – Black, 6″ Glare-Free Touchscreen Display, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers for $59.99 (list price $79.99)

Kindle Paperwhite E-reader – Black, 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers for $99.99 (list price $119.99)

Kindle Voyage E-reader, 6″ High-Resolution Display (300 ppi) with Adaptive Built-in Light, PagePress Sensors, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers for $179.99 (list price $199.99)

SONOS PLAY:1 Compact Smart Speaker for Streaming Music (Black) for $199.00 

All-New Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote | Streaming Media Player for $39.99

[Upgraded Version] 6D 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse, 800 / 1200 /1600DPI, 6 Buttons – Black for $15.99 (list price $60.99)

QWERKYWRITER by Qwerkytoys Typewriter Wireless Mechanical Keyboard with Integrated Tablet Stand for $299.00 (list price $349.00)

TarDisk 256GB | Storage Expansion Card for MacBook Air 13″ A13A for $299.00 (list price $399.00)

Remocam RMCU-1508 Smart Home Security Camera, HD, PTZ, Wireless, Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, IP Surveillance for $170.00 (list price $199.00)

TOOLS

Hydroluxe Full-Chrome 24 Function Ultra-Luxury 3-way 2 in 1 Shower-Head /Handheld-Shower Combo for $23.99 (list price $43.18)

GE 13-Watt Energy Smart Fluorescent Light Bulbs, 8 Pack, 60 Watt Replacement for $13.74 (list price $14.99)

Duck Brand 281506 Indoor 10-Window Shrink Film Insulator Kit, 62-Inch x 420-Inch for $10.94 (list price $20.31)

NEW Edison Vintage Bulbs – 6 pack – Aplstar Bulbs – 60W Incandescent – Clear Glass – ST64 Squirrel Cage – Dimmable for $21.89 (list price $69.99)

GYY Super Bright Headlamp Headlight Flashlight 4 Modes 3 CREE T6 LED Light Torches with 18650 Rechargeable Batteries and Charger for $23.99 (list price $44.99)

Duck Brand 284428 Double Draft Complete Door Seal Set, 2-Count for $12.88 (list price $25.99)

IRWIN VISE-GRIP Long Nose Pliers with Wire Cutter, 8″, 2078218 for $9.56 (list price $16.61)

Dremel 4000-4/34 High Performance Rotary Tool Kit with Variable Speed Rotary Tool, 4 Attachments and 34 Accessories for $79.99 (list price $173.48)

IRWIN VISE-GRIP North American Lineman’s Pliers, 9-1/2″, 2078209 for $11.00 (list price $22.10)

Sensky Skl001 Plug in Motion Sensor Night Light, Motion Activated Sensor LED Night Light for Bedroom, Stairwells, Hallway for $15.99 (list price $25.99)

Weller WSB25WB 25-Watt Short Barrel Woodburning Kit for $14.31 (list price $19.30)

DEWALT DCS387B 20-volt MAX Compact Reciprocating Saw with Tool for $114.98 (list price $222.53)

Kidde FA110 Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher 1A10BC, 1 Pack for $19.98 (list price $42.99)

Bosch JS120BN 12-volt Max Cordless Jig Saw with Exact-Fit Insert Tray for $103.16 (list price $119.00)

Coast HP1 Focusing 190 Lumen LED Flashlight for $9.466 (list price $20.30)

Bosch PS32-02 12-volt Max Brushless 3/8-Inch Drill/Driver Kit with 2.0Ah Batteries, Charger and Case for $135.00 (list price $286.00)

Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier [22-01471] for $22.13 (list price $49.32)

Dremel 2200-01 Versa Flame Multi-Function Butane Torch for $37.99 (list price $71.03)

Innoo Tech Solar Globe String Lights Outdoor 19.7 ft 30 LED Warm White Crystal Ball Christmas Globe Lights for Garden Path, Party, Bedroom Decoration for $9.99 (list price $59.99)

DEWALT DW5207 7-Piece Premium Percussion Masonry Drill Bit Set for $15.99 (list price $31.88)

Makita SP6000J1 6-1/2-Inch Plunge Circular Saw with Guide Rail for $405.90 (list price $760.00)

HyperSelect 9W LED A19 – E26 Bulb Non-Dimmable [60W Equivalent] , 3000K (Soft White Glow), 820 Lumens, Medium Screw Base, 340° Omnidirectional, UL-Listed (Pack of 6) for $12.97 (list price $14.40)

MagnoGrip 311-090 Magnetic Wristband for $10.99 (list price $20.00)

Shop-Vac 5986000 5-Gallon 4.5 Peak HP Stainless Steel Wet Dry Vacuum for $59.99 (list price $107.95)

Kohler 20RESCL-200SELS 20,000-Watt Air-Cooled Standby Generator with 200 Amp Whole-House, Service Entrance Rated, Load Shedding Automatic Transfer Switch for $4,399.00 (list price $5,395.00)

DEWALT DWARA100 Right Angle Attachment for $17.99 (list price $35.76)