Myths

For our purposes: Myths are commonly held beliefs or ideas that are false. For a claim to be considered a myth one or more parts of it must be proved false. Other definitions of myth, such as those pertaining to the not false-but-allegorical stories we tell to explain things, are discussed on our “what is a myth?” page.

Below is a collection of all factoids rated “myth” (as in “not true or not fully true”) by our authors.  If you disagree or have more evidence to support a claim consider commenting. See our list of facts here.

Past Outcomes of Random Events Affect Future Outcomes myth

Past results of random independent events, like a coin flip, don't affect future results. The mistaken belief that past results affect future results is known as "the Gambler's Fallacy" (AKA the Fallacy of the Maturity of Chances, or the Monte Carlo Fallacy).

If You Build it, They Will Come myth

If you build it, you increase the odds of them coming. In other words, if you put thought and energy into a project you increase the likelihood of success.

Only Male Turkeys Gobble myth

Male "tom" turkeys and female "hen" turkeys both "gobble", but typically male turkeys "gobble" and female turkeys "yelp".

All Hot Dogs Contain Human DNA myth

Not all hot dogs contain human DNA, but a 2015 study found 6 of the 345 hot dogs they studied contained human DNA, 4 of which were vegetarian products.

Bitcoin is an Actual Coin myth

Bitcoin isn't a literal coin; it's a list of transactions recorded on a shared digital public ledger called a "block chain".

The Oxford Comma Originated at Oxford University myth

The Oxford comma gets its name from being used by the Oxford University Press, but its exact origins are unclear.

Vampire Bats Suck Blood myth

Vampire bats don't suck blood with their teeth; they use their teeth to pierce an animal's skin and then lap up the blood with their tongue.

Apple Pie Was Invented in America myth

Apple pie wasn't invented in America. Pie was eaten by ancient Egyptians and recipes for dutch apple pie go back centuries.

Competitive Sports Have Always Been Popular in the U.S. myth

Competitive sports became popular in the United States from 1850 - 1950 because of lighting technology, mass media, and developing labor and education laws.

Professional Wrestling isn’t Scripted myth

Pro wrestling is planned, scripted, and rehearsed, but much of a given match involves the real and spontaneous execution of well-practiced moves and routines.