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Article created by: Kotryna Br

It’s no secret that it’s been getting increasingly hard to separate facts from fiction. With so much chaos, fake news, conspiracies and whatnot surfing around the media, it’s easy to lose your own standpoint.

But believing nonsense, aka myths, is part of (often flawed) human nature. In fact, people believed all kinds of crazy things a long time before the pandemic hit, and ridiculous beliefs, like that when you get a covid vaccine, you get injected with a microchip, started spreading much like the virus itself.

So when someone asked “what myth is still widely circulated as truth?” on r/AskReddit, the 33.2k responses came flowing in. We selected some of the most eye-opening ones that debunk so-called common knowledge that turns out to be anything but knowledge!

#1

Newspaper clipping showing a myth about McDonald’s coffee burns, illustrating widely circulated myths as truth. A lot of people still believe a woman sued McDonald’s because her coffee was hot. In reality, the woman had 3rd-degree burns throughout her pelvic area and only asked that her medical bills be paid.

staugh3 Report

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    #2

    A young girl raising her hand in a lively classroom setting, illustrating curiosity about myths widely circulating as truth. If you work hard at school and get good grades you'll get a good job and enjoy a stable life.

    Ben716 , vazovsky Report

    #3

    Close-up of sparkling diamonds on a reflective black surface illustrating common myths widely circulated as truth. That diamonds are rare and therefore should be expensive, that is just a myth perpetrated by the de beers diamond cartel.

    Herrjulias , Edgar Soto Report

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    #4

    Two police officers standing by a police car, illustrating common myths widely circulate about law enforcement truth. That you have to wait for 24h before you can report a missing person. If someone is missing, go get help!

    radiusmcfly , Erik Mclean Report

    #5

    Ancient pyramids in a desert landscape, symbolizing 30 myths that widely circulate as truth in history discussions. The mystery of how the pyramids were built. They know how they were built. Ramps, pulleys, ropes, and labor.

    MedicalWelder , Leonardo Ramos Report

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    #6

    A pack of wolves in a snowy forest illustrating myths that widely circulate as truth in viral discussions. people believe in the whole alpha and beta wolves thing It’s not true. The “leaders” of the pack are the parents. -in natural wolf packs, the alpha male or female are merely the breeding animals, the parents of the pack, and dominance contests with other wolves are rare if they exist at all.

    rawsugar87 , Eric Kilby Report

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    #7

    Food pyramid displaying various food groups including grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins debunking common myths. The Food Pyramid

    WCGWjoiningReddit , bigbrand . Report

    #8

    The Bible.

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    #9

    Raw whole chicken on wooden board next to lemon, herbs, and garlic illustrating common myths about food preparation. That washing chicken gets it rid of bacteria. No. Cooking chicken gets rid of bacteria, given that you do it well. Washing chicken, on the other hand, can contaminate your whole kitchen with salmonella.

    Peterthemonster , JK Sloan Report

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    #10

    Medical examination room with ultrasound machine and patient chair, illustrating common myths widely circulate in healthcare settings That you can tell if someone is a "virgin" by looking at their hymen to see if it is "intact."

    TravelBookly , orzalaga Report

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    #11

    Silhouette of a spider hanging on its web against an orange and purple gradient background showing common myths. That whole "you eat seven spiders a year" myth. It was created by some lady in the late 90s or early 2000s to prove that ridiculous things can be found on the internet, spread like wildfire, and believed by many.

    JasaProxy , Vidar Nordli-Mathisen Report

    #12

    Woman coughing on a couch, illustrating common myths about health issues widely circulated as truth in a viral thread. That cold is caused by lower temperatures. The cold is a virus that transmits between people. Edit: a lot of people are saying that cold temperatures weaken the immune system and thus indirectly make you more susceptible, and while it’s true, the direct cause for common colds is caused by human contact.

    reddit , Annie Spratt Report

    #13

    Abstract glowing brain illustration representing common myths that widely circulate as truth in viral discussions. That we only use 10% of our brain

    xtra_sleepy , Alina Grubnyak Report

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    #14

    Young woman in a red polka dot dress making a funny face, illustrating common myths that widely circulate as truth. That the tongue has different regions for salty, sweet, bitter, and sour.

    honguss , Hayes Potter Report

    #15

    Various medicine bottles and syrups arranged on a table illustrating common health myths widely circulated as truth. Antibiotics can cure virus infections. No, they don't

    metal_gearmen , anjanettew Report

    #16

    Dark storm clouds gathering over the ocean, illustrating widespread myths circulating as perceived truth in viral discussions. The Bermuda triangle. Turns out ships and planes disappear at the same rate all over the world's oceans.

    MedicalWelder , Daniel Lerman Report

    #17

    Pink kettle with a painted face sitting on a stove burner, illustrating common myths widely circulated as truth. I was adamantly told by some seniors at work not to drink the water that boiled twice because it cooks the oxygen out of it.

    DesignerPilky , Ty Konzak Report

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    #18

    Gold safety razor on a light fabric surface illustrating common myths about shaving from viral thread discussions. Shaving hair causes it to grow back longer and thicker.

    IllusiveAceOfSpades , Laura Mitulla Report

    #19

    Green leafy plants growing inside a greenhouse, illustrating myths about agriculture widely circulated as truth. Organic crops don't use pesticides or herbicides.

    reddit , Daniel Fazio Report

    #20

    Red chili pepper split open with seeds scattering on dark background, illustrating myths widely circulate as truth concept. That the seeds are the spiciest part of hot pepper. The seeds are the only part of a pepper that isn't spicy. The white stuff near the seeds though, spice max.

    Toxicsully , Pickled Stardust Report

    Data1001
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There has to be *some* spiciness to the seeds -- otherwise, explain why dried red pepper flakes are spicy?

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    #21

    Close-up of hands with interlocked fingers demonstrating a stretch for common myths that widely circulate as truth. Knuckle cracking doesn't lead to arthritis, it is just an old wives tale people use in place of simply telling you it's annoying them. Crack away!

    SquilliamFancySon95 , TAMHSCPhotos Report

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    #22

    Person measuring waist with a green tape measure, illustrating common myths that widely circulate as truth. That you can reduce fat from a particular body part

    AAAARRRGGGGHHHH , mahmoud99725 Report

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    #23

    Person at a crowded event popping a bubblegum bubble and then smiling with the burst bubble on their face, myths widely circulate. Gum takes 7 years to digest

    Snoo48391 , Valerie Hinojosa Report

    #24

    That Corsets are a lethal torture item and every Victorian woman did tight-lacing. The myth about harmful Corsets was started by Victorian men, in order to bring down women-owned businesses. And some feminists (looking at you, Emma Watson) swallowed that lie, hook, and sinker, thinking they are empowering somebody with it. The truth is, Corsets are way better than bras. If you have back pains, which many women have because of their bras, switch to Corsets. There is a reason, why it was used that long.

    jasmin_booklover Report

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    #25

    Two people swimming in clear water, illustrating common myths that widely circulate as truth in a viral thread. You have to wait 30 min to swim after eating


    Lizardsteve , Martin Abegglen Report

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