28 Myths vs. Facts

*3-Minute Read*

(Photo Credit: cydcor.com)

There are so many sayings that come across as common knowledge that simply aren't true. So, I've decided to compile a list of some of them to set the record straight: 

1) If you drop a penny from the Empire State Building, you'll kill someone.

It may hurt a passerby, but it isn't fatal.

2) Humans use only 10% of their brains.

Most every part of your brain is doing something all the time.

3) Elephants are scared of mice.

While a mouse suddenly appearing can temporarily startle them, elephants have no fear of mice. 

4) George Washington had wooden teeth.

His dentures were made up of ivory, gold, lead, and other human teeth. 

5) Bulls get angry at the color red.

They cannot even see the color red, as they are partially color-blind. The matador's behavior and cape's movement gets a bull riled. 

6) Women accused of being witches were burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials.

They were actually hanged, if they even made it to their trials. Some died in jail before then. 

7) Houseflies have a 24-hour life span.

The true average lifespan is 67.2 years. 

8) You need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

It's a variable amount. Some people need more, some less. 

9) Ostriches stick their heads in the ground when scared.

When in trouble, they run (up to 31 mph) or play dead. 

10) Before Christopher Columbus, everyone thought the world was flat.

Aristotle declared that it was spherical, so at least his supporters (include CC, pre-voyage) believed him. 

11) Gum sits in your stomach for 7 years.

It moves quickly through your digestive system like other food. 

12) Napoleon Bonaparte was unusually short.

While 5'5''-5'7'' may be short for a man now, it was around the average height during his lifetime. 

13) Touching a toad will give you warts.

Only human viruses can do that.

14) The forbidden fruit in the "Adam and Eve" story is an apple.

The text never specifies which fruit it is.

15) Cracking your knuckles = arthritis. 

The only harm it may do is weaken the strength of your grip.

16) Sugar causes hyperactivity in kids.

It was found that sugar doesn't affect behavior at all.

17) Hair grows back thicker after shaving.

It only gives hair a blunt tip, which might make it feel more coarse. 

18) Chameleons change colors to camouflage themselves.

They do so to regulate temperature or communicate with each other. 

19) The Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.

They didn't sign the document until August 2nd. 

20) It's safe to eat food that's been on the floor for less than 5 seconds.

Bacteria can transfer onto food in under that time. 

21) All deserts are hot.

There's a such thing as polar deserts. 

22) Fortune cookies were invented in China.

They were invented by a Japanese immigrant in California.

23) The sun is yellow.

It is actually all the colors mixed together. 

24) You can get sick if you go outside with wet hair. 

Colds are caught by a virus, which doesn't care how dry or wet your hair is. 

25) A peanut is a nut.

It is a legume. 

26) Every living being dies.

One species of jellyfish doesn't. 

27) It's better to not wake a sleepwalker.

Wake them up, as they may hurt themselves otherwise. 

28) Caffeine causes dehydration.

It doesn't, as the water in the carbonated drink cancels out the diuretic effect of caffeine. 

To see more myths vs. facts, check out my sources:

https://thebestschools.org/magazine/25-popular-science-myths-debunked/

https://bestlifeonline.com/common-myths/

https://bigthink.com/paul-ratner/52-common-myths-rumors-and-falsehoods-debunked

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