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Humans are undeniably social and complex creatures. When you mix these two traits, you end up with a wide range of social interactions—some more lighthearted and others more harmful, like bullying or rumors spreading.
Today, we're diving into the latter—rumors various netizens heard about themselves. Here, you'll find a whole spectrum of dumb rumors—some absolutely absurd, and others even kind of smart. So, let's jump in to see what we have in store, shall we?
More info: Reddit
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#1
Bio mum tried starting a rumor at her church that I had run away and was having an affair with a much older married man who wouldn't allow me to talk to her because he was emotionally manipulating me when I was a teen.
In reality, I was in foster care because she was physically a*****e. The "older man" was my foster dad, who, along with his WIFE, my foster mum, loved me unconditionally and ended up adopting me after several years.
But that version of events wouldn't have played as well to her Bible study group...
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#2
Like nearly every woman who’s had a successful career, there were rumors I was sleeping with the boss at 2 places where I worked.
Alexia 1 month ago
Same. I even heard rumors for minor issues. Like, my work laptop broke, the IT couldn't fix it, so they got manager's approval to buy a new one for me. What I heard shortly was that I received a new laptop because I had gone to the manager wearing a short skirt and a blouse with a generous cleavage. Actually, I hadn't seen the manager in months.
#3
My parents were called into the principals office and met with a teacher and also the superintendent of the entire ISD because of a rumor that I was the high priestess of an afterschool satanic cult.
Let’s admit it—all of us have participated in gossip sessions throughout our lives, even if that’s not the most moral thing to do. In fact, such activity is natural; it has been wired into our brains since the prehistoric times. Some scholars even claim that gossip was the reason our language evolved—so we could pass information around about each other.
Gossip didn’t even have a negative meaning until around the time of the European witch hunts. Then, it became a catalyst for accusations of witchcraft and sorcery and accusing women of being punished using inhumane medieval t*****e instruments.
Basically, witch hunts became a way to prevent women from speaking out and allowed for gossiping to gain a label with the rather negative connotation of “women’s talk.”
#4
I kept missing school because I was too busy getting abortion after abortion after abortion.
I had chronic strep throat.
Tiffany 1 month ago (edited)
Yeah, some people baffle me. I tried to commit suicide when I was 13. They (CPS) "finally" took me away from my mom and I moved in with other family. I didn't want anyone to know because they thought it was attention seeking. I was sick of not knowing love, abandonment, being neglected, abused and constantly ridiculed. It wasn't anyone's business. My childhood was so messed up. It was absolutely horrible. They told people and the church would bully me and had rumors like I was pregnant. Some insane stuff was made up. It spread to my school and I got even more bullied. It was insane. I felt like a good human being because I'd never do that and thought wow what is wrong with these people? My mom actually committed suicide 3 years after. I'm 35 now and diagnosed Borderline Personality. I have issues... but whatever that was, isn't part of my issues. Thankfully.
#5
That I was homeschooled. I heard this rumour while I was *at school*.
#6
I accepted 10k from my exes parents to end the relationship and cancel the wedding. Truth is i did it for free to make sure they didnt end up my in-laws. I bet they would have paid it tho.
Yet, such a stereotype is not exactly realistic, as research shows that men and women engage in around the same amount of gossiping activity. However, men are way less criticized for it.
Well, no matter the gender, some gossip isn’t bad for us. Some studies show that this activity can even bring people together—sharing information (whether it's positive, negative, or neutral) helps folks create new bonds or strengthen already existing social bonds, as the process improves their trust in each other.
#7
THAT I’M A SECRET SPY. LIKE, OKAY. I CAN BARELY REMEMBER TO BRING MY LUNCH TO WORK, BUT SURE, I’M OUT HERE SAVING THE WORLD.
#8
There is a sizable group of adults that believes i summon demons and can convince them to haunt their lives......what i find more disturbing is this rumor started with one grown woman who i hope the majority of society would just ignore and write off as a mentally unwell compulsive liar.
#9
I was attacked by a bear no just ezcema.
Montanavanna 1 month ago
Haha oh my gods that's a new one. I have excema and would be called grandma hands in elementary school. Also told all the time to go put on lotion. Look here you little shits, I do, literally all the time, many times a day. If you had to use lotion as much as I do you would loose your minds.
At the same time, when gossiping starts turning into rumor spreading, its harm outweighs any benefits, as it starts hurting people. Essentially, rumors are unconfirmed information that’s being spread as factual by people who haven't checked whether it’s true or not.
And so, when information is unverified, anything—even the most outrageous lies—can be spread about a person. Let’s just take a peek at today’s list as it’s full of examples. All of them were collected from what various people shared online, to be more specific, how they answered the question “What is a dumb rumor you've heard about yourself?”
Well, what this collection shows us is that people aren’t shy about sharing random information about others, even if that’s rather dumb. While that sometimes leads to silly misunderstandings, other times it might have worse results.
#10
That I was having an affair with the preacher. There were a lot of equally insane reasons for this (he put his hand on my shoulder to get my attention, I met the delivery truck at his house while he was preaching because a refrigerator was being delivered literally in the middle of him working, etc). My favorite reason was because I pulled weeds in his yard while he was OUT OF TOWN visiting his son who was dying in the hospital.
GreatWhiteNorth 1 month ago (edited)
I was renting. My refrigerator died. The superintendent and his wife offered to put the food in their fridge and deep freeze as it would take a week to get a new one. The husband helped me carry the bags of food over to their apt. ( it was across a court yard in a U-shaped building. ) That was all it took for the nosy tenants to say I was screwing the superintendent. Because he helped me carry the groceries.
#11
That I was a pig breeder.
Rumour traveled around my office like f*****g wild fire.
#12
That I'm a Thai trans woman. I'm a white woman...but I'll take the compliment. They are so beautiful.
Second to that was the rumour I was a trans woman. That was at a time most people, including young left leaning people were openly very transphobic. I was at uni. It was awful. It made me really hate people...
It's also very insulting to trans women. I was quite ugly back then and couldn't do my makeup or dress myself well.
But it was very well believed. Which actually worked out for me as it kept awful people away from me.
Glen Ellyn 1 month ago
" Which actually worked out for me as it kept awful people away from me." Thankfully, there is one bright spot in this story. ✨
For instance, getting someone’s reputation destroyed as things spread about them is very damaging. Fake information and fake news tend to have both immediate and long-lasting effects on people. At first, it riles up a person's emotions and changes their mood. Depending on how strong these feelings are, they can stick to them for a long time, remaining even after the information gets debunked.
Not to mention that the fact that these rumors hurt not only reputations, but the people themselves, which we don’t have to tell you is a morally wrong thing.
#13
That I'm a satanist
(I had eye surgery and had a bloodshot eye that was dripping blood).
Karl der Große 1 month ago
I was in a Bible study group in high school. I asked a few questions that the leader couldn't answer, so he told me that Satan was the author of confusion, and then read a description of the anti-Christ. I said, "You think I'm like the anti-Christ?" Turns out, he literally thought I was THE anti-Christ. I said, "Wow, that would make me more famous than Michael Jackson." Wrong thing to say, as it turns out.
#14
That I was dead.
A buddy of mine changed high schools back in the day, guess he thought it'd be easier to ingratiate himself by going for the sympathy vote? He told people I died in a car crash on a notoriously steep curve near my house (I didn't even have my learners licence at the time). He had taken time off to go to my funeral and give a eulogy, and would mention he was off to supposedly visited and comfort my family.
Imagine the surprise when a friend of a friend who went to that school actually met me months later at a party and told me all this. They were LIVID, I was more amused. I'd see him around afterwards but I never questioned or confronted him about it, he got enough c**p for it when word of my status as 'alive' got around.
Montanavanna 1 month ago
I died also! Shortly after high school people I attended with or knew of me would give my mom condolences for her loss. She was very confused as she didn't know these people in the first place and now they are saying her daughter died. My close friend calls me up one day to tell me that people heard I had died in a rollover car wreck. A red jeep apparently. I never drove a jeep but they swore it was me who died in that wreck.
#15
That I got a [breast] job because my [breasts] were ‘too big to be natural’ lmao.
So, what we can take away from today’s article is that while gossiping with friends can sometimes be a fun bonding activity, it’s important to stay mindful and be aware of how our words impact others.
Have you ever heard a dumb rumor about yourself? Share it with us in the comments!
#16
That I was a celebrity. It felt cool at first, but they kept "insisting" that they had seen me in something. It's actually happened a couple of times. There was one person that wouldn't give up guessing movies. I was like "I feel like I would remember that part of my life", but they didn't stop. I think I finally said "you guessed it!" and moved on with my day.
#17
That I didn’t like going out because I’m fat 😐 meanwhile I’m just introverted and enjoy my peace and alone time but if you think I should lose weight just say that sis 🥲.
GreatWhiteNorth 1 month ago
My sister said I am kind and do things for people because I am trying to buy friendship. Because I am alone and lonely. I am introverted. I am kind because I like helping people. She even said she remembers me giving away my toys when I was a kid to buy my friends. We were 9 years old. We were trading Barbie's. You just cannot win. I was actually so embarrassed when she said this. I was mortified anyone viewed me this way.
#18
That I was a d**g dealer because of all the people at the house. The people were either my mother or sister droppingoff/picking up my nephew while I was babysitting him. No one else lol.
TribbleThinking 4 weeks ago (edited)
I sold off a lot of my late husband's things and also had some repeat customers for his aquarium fish. Later realised that after being widowed, there was a stream of mainly men who would visit for 20-40 minutes, then leave smiling. (I get on with most people and am genuinely interested in most things and can be happily chatty)
#20
Found out I supposedly made out with a someone a few weeks ago. This was disclosed to me while on a date with another someone.
I’m 42 😂.
#21
I was an Olympic athlete.
UncleJohn3000 1 month ago
I was the 16th runner up in the Olympic Jumping to Conclusions event. I was *sure* I had it in the bag, but...
#22
People think I’m a hacker.
#23
I’m afraid of buttons.
#24
Someone said I sleepwalk at work.
#25
I’m banned from a local cafe.
Toothless Feline 4 weeks ago
I have a friend whose stories frequently end with, “…and, long story short, I’m not allowed to go there anymore.”
#26
That I’ve never seen a van before.
#27
I’m related to a president.
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
Statistically, everyone in Europe is related to royalty (they usually mention Charlemagne) because of the number of ancestors one has and the population of Europe at the time. There's a bit of wiggle room to allow for duplication (eg if one marries a second cousin, on has the same great-grandparents, which cuts down the multiplication in the past).
#28
I was on a reality TV show.
Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
Someone accused me of being on Blind Date. I was actually on a quiz show.
#29
I am smart that sometimes I dont understand a single word of what I am saying lol.
Glen Ellyn 1 month ago
I don't understand how this works. Oh, wait! Does this mean I'm smart, too? 🤭
#30
I’m afraid of doorbells.
What do you think ?
Peter Bear 4 weeks ago
So, I dropped out of high school halfway through my sophomore year, and ended up getting my GED a year before I would have graduated. When I went back to get some paperwork, someone I knew saw me and asked if I was a ghost. Apparently I'd committed self-termination by jumping off a major bridge into the Mississippi River. The rumor lasted at least five years because my sister and brother also got asked about it since we obviously share the same last name. Rumors of my unaliving were, literally, greatly exaggerated.
BookFanatic 1 month ago
I was born in either Australia or England. I don't have anything even remotely resembling either accent. Born & bred in Illinois, US.
Peter Bear 4 weeks ago
So, I dropped out of high school halfway through my sophomore year, and ended up getting my GED a year before I would have graduated. When I went back to get some paperwork, someone I knew saw me and asked if I was a ghost. Apparently I'd committed self-termination by jumping off a major bridge into the Mississippi River. The rumor lasted at least five years because my sister and brother also got asked about it since we obviously share the same last name. Rumors of my unaliving were, literally, greatly exaggerated.
BookFanatic 1 month ago
I was born in either Australia or England. I don't have anything even remotely resembling either accent. Born & bred in Illinois, US.
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