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.

The Konami Code Ends in Start or Select Start myth

The "Konami code" (a cheat code first popularized by the NES version of Contra) doesn't end in start or select start, it's simply '↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A'.

A Synthesizer Always Has a Keyboard myth

A synthesizer is an instrument that uses electronics to produce sound. Sounds produced by a synthesizer are commonly triggered by a keyboard, but not always.

There Are More Than 50 States in America myth

The United States of America consists of 50 states, 1 federal district, 1 incorporated territory, and 15 unincorporated territories.

Benjamin Franklin Discovered Electricity When Flying a Kite myth

Electricity was written about and experimented with for at least a century, if not more, about before Franklin flew his kite in 1752. Franklin was trying to understand the nature of electricity and lightening.

During Burning Man Black Rock City Becomes One of Nevada’s Largest Cities myth

In 2014 Black Rock City became the 10th largest city/town in Nevada when Burning Man brought in 65,922 attendees. It should be noted that Black Rock City is not a city, it's a LLC that hosts the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert.

Crossing Your Eyes Can Make You Permanently Cross Eyed myth

Crossing your eyes can't make you permanently cross eyed; the muscles holding the eye will fatigue and the eye will return to it's original position.

René Descartes Slept in an Oven myth

René Descartes didn't sleep in an oven, but he did invent analytical geometry while sleeping in a room with an oven (likely a masonry heater).

Americans Commonly Stay With the Religion They Were Raised With myth

While the majority of Americans don't switch religions, but it is common to switch religions. As many as 42% of U.S. adults have assumed a different religious identity from the one in which they were raised, according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study.

People Can Legally Marry Inanimate Objects myth

You can not legally marry an inanimate object anywhere that we know of, this includes anime pillows, the Efile Tower, video game characters, or any other non-being.

Mount Everest is the Tallest Mountain myth

Mount Everest has the highest elevation above sea level, the tallest mountain is Mauna Kea from the ocean floor, and Chimborazo is highest from earth's center (due to Earth's shape).