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.

Different Parts of the Tongue Sense Different Tastes myth

Every part of the human tongue can sense all five basic tastes. The taste bud map many know from school is wrong. The map is based on a misunderstanding of an old study.

Democrats are Responsible for Trump’s Immigration Policy myth

President Trump has claimed that Democrats are responsible for his administration’s policy of separating migrant families apprehended at the border. However, this is mostly false, as existing laws were passed by both parties, weren't commonly enforced to their full extent in the past, and don't actually require families to be…

Our Solar System is a “Vortex” myth

There is a video that shows our solar system as a vortex and says the heliocentric model of the solar system we know is wrong. However, the video is wrong and the heliocentric model is correct.

The American Left and Right Synonymous With the Political Left and Right myth

The American left and right aren't synonymous with the political left right. Rather, they describe "big tents" that contain a broad spectrum of political views.

Baron Rothschild Made a Fortune on Waterloo and Said “the Blood on the Streets” Quote myth

Nathan Mayer Rothschild, likely didn't say the "blood on the streets" quote, and further the story of him making a fortune at Waterloo likely isn't true.

You Can’t Prove a Negative myth

The saying "you can't prove a negative" isn't accurate. Proving negatives is a foundational aspect of logic (ex. the law of contradiction).

There is No Such Thing as Objective Truth myth

The idea that all truth is subjective, that there is no objective truth, is a myth. Everything either has an absolute truth value (even if we can't know it) or is an opinion or belief.

In the Era of Good Feelings the U.S. had a “One Party System” myth

Some claim there was a "one-party system" for a brief moment in the Era of Good Feelings under Monroe and the Democratic-Republicans, but that isn't fully true. There was still federalist opposition in those years.

There is a Limit to How Many Times You Can Fold a Piece Paper myth

There is no limit to the amount of times one can fold a piece of paper in half if the paper is large enough. However, because the thickness of the paper grows exponentially, a lot of paper would be needed to make more than 8 folds.

The Poor and Middle Class are Subject to the Estate Tax myth

It is a myth that the estate tax hurts poor and middle class Americans, only the richest Americans (0.2% of families) pay the estate tax.