50 Well-Known "Facts" That Are Actually Just Common Myths

[soybean]

THESE COMMON MYTHS HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN AS FALSE FACTS FOR YEARS.​

Sometimes it can be hard to separate fact from fiction, especially when so many of the "facts" we've spent our whole lives believing are actually enduring myths and misconceptions. These common myths seem true because we've heard them time and time again—we may have even learned them from our parents, or been taught them at school. Nevertheless, it's more important than ever to call out the false facts that far too many people still believe, whether they're related to our furry friends or the current pandemic.

 

[soybean]

1

Bulls get angry when they see the color red.​

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You're hardly alone if you believe that when matadors wave those red capes to make bulls charge at them, it's the bright color that incites their anger. But, according to the American Science Guide, bulls (like other cattle) are red-green colorblind. What actually triggers the bull's anger is the movement of the cape. And for more trivia about creatures great and small, enjoy these 75 Animal Facts That Will Change the Way You View the Animal Kingdom.

 

[soybean]

2

Goldfish only have a three-second memory.​

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Goldfish have a reputation of having bad memories. But it turns out that the idea that these orange aquatic creatures can only remember things for three seconds is a myth. Not only has this false fact been debunked by several studies throughout the years—some research even indicates goldfish could have a memory span of up to five months long.

 

[soybean]

3

We only use 10 percent of our brains.​

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Many people believe that humans only use 10 percent of their brains; it's even the plot line for the 2014 film Lucy, starring Scarlett Johansson. However, that's nothing but a myth, neurologist Barry Gordon told Scientific American. He says that humans "use virtually every part of the brain" and most of the brain is "active almost all the time." And for more misconceptions we can blame on movies, ditch these 17 Health Myths Perpetuated by Hollywood.

 

[soybean]

4

George Washington had wooden teeth.​

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It turns out our nation's first president wasn't rocking a pair of wooden chompers. The historians at the Washington Library say that while George Washington did suffer from dental problems, his dentures were composed of ivory, gold, lead, and even other human teeth—but never any wood. They believe that this common myth is the result of the ivory becoming stained over time, giving the fake teeth the appearance of wood.

 

[soybean]

5

Women accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake during the Salem Witch Trials.​

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According to History, most accused witches during the Salem Witch Trials of the late 17th century were hanged, while others died in jail waiting for their trials. The myth that they were burned at the stake is most likely due to the fact that during the Medieval witch trials in Europe, it was common practice to execute the accused by savagely setting them on fire. And to get rid of more historical misconceptions, learn which 23 Basic American History Questions Most Americans Get Wrong.

 

[soybean]

6

You need to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.​

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If you're struggling to get to your eighth glass of water every day, don't feel bad—the quota isn't really a hard and fast rule for healthy living. According to the Mayo Clinic, the amount of water you need daily depends on several different factors, like your overall health, your activity levels, and where you live. No single number applies to humans across the board—some people may be perfectly hydrated with fewer than eight glasses and others might need more. And for more things you might be getting wrong about your body's needs, check out these 25 Health Myths You Need To Stop Believing.

 

[soybean]

7

You'll get cramps if you go swimming right after you eat.​

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Though it is a commonly held belief that your muscles will cramp should you swim right after eating, this just isn't true (no matter how many times your parents said it was). Yes, the body requires extra blood in order to digest, but not nearly enough to prevent the muscles in your arms and legs from working as they should.

 

[soybean]

In the days of Christopher Columbus, everyone thought the world was flat.​

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Allegedly, around 500 B.C., the Ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras was the first person to propose the theory that the Earth was flat. But not long thereafter, in the middle of the third century B.C., Aristotle declared with certainty that the Earth was, in fact, spherical. And though it might've taken a bit for everyone to come around to the reality that our planet is, well, round, Christopher Columbus wasn't one of the naysayers. When he sailed the ocean blue in 1492, he knew Earth was a sphere. According to historian Jeffrey Burton Russell, "with extraordinary few exceptions no educated person in the history of Western Civilization from the third century B.C. onward believed that the Earth was flat."

 

[soybean]

9

Dogs only see in black and white.​

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No, your pup isn't seeing the world in black and white. Veterinarian Barbara Royal explained to HuffPost that dogs "don't see all of the colors that we see, but they can actually distinguish between colors." And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

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