The Mandela effect – mind-bending examples of collective false memories

3/19/2020

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Culture Story: The Mandela effect – mind-bending examples of collective false memories

What is the Mandela effect? Simply put, it's when a large number of people share incorrect memories about widely known things or facts. If it sounds strange to you, keep reading and you will realize you've experienced it yourself at least once.

Why is the theory named so?

The news of Nelson Mandela's death in 2013 was absolutely shocking for the majority of people. Moreover, many believed he had already died in the 80s! The phenomenon was named after him, even though there are many even more shocking Mandela effect examples. Here they are:

#1 It's Skechers, not SkeTchers

Culture Story: The Mandela effect examples: Skechers — wikimedia Public Domain Mark

Surprisingly, many people believe that there is a "T" in the name of the famous footwear brand. Were you one of them?

#2 Many think there is a hyphen between "Kit" and "Kat"

Culture Story: The Mandela effect examples: KitKat — flickr

Anyway, it doesn't exist in the name of the legendary chocolate bar – KitKat.

If you want more surprising facts, let's dispel some popular daily myths together.

#3 There was no "Luke" in the most iconic phrase from Star Wars

Culture Story: The Mandela effect examples: Star Wars — flickr

Such Mandela effect examples shock us the most, as misremembered quotes often become an important part of our culture. Jokes based on the "Luke" phrase are countless!

There are many Mandela effect examples in pop culture – how well do you actually know it? Try this fun trivia quiz to test your knowledge.

#4 "Shazaam" is not a film with Sinbad

Mostly everybody remembers such a movie, but it never existed. There was another one, titled Kazaam, where Shaquille O'Neal starred. The comedian Sinbad had nothing to do with it.

#5 The Monopoly man doesn't wear a monocle

Strangely enough, many people still believe he has one.

Which of the facts from the article surprised you the most? Did you know the Mandela effect definition before? Do you know any other interesting examples?

In the world where even collective memories can be false, be sure: our informative articles, fun trivia quizzes and trivia questions are always here for you.

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#Culture #Society #funny #knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

18 Comments

Thor Johnson

Interesting they left out one of the most famous "What we have here is failure to communicate." Way too many people add the word "a."

Shelley Durocher

Myrna Olson, The "he" refers to the father of the Kevin Costner character.

Eve

Someone I once knew that the lyrics of Creedence Clearwater Bad Moon on the Rise was There's a bathroom on the right, lol

lls

...seems I'm always going through this, esp. with music...

deborahpmercer

Haven't experienced it with Mr Mandela, but admit I often find myself thinking "Didn't they die ages ago"? Sadly, there's also the reverse version, of finding someone has passed whom you thought was still alive.

Doreen Henricks

Alan Conyard, I thought of an example of The Mandela Effect that’s definitely related: Joe Biden saying he was arrested in South Africa with Andrew Young, when they went to see Nelson Mandela. False memory? 🤔

Alan Conyard

Never before heard this problem called the Mandela effect. Nobody in my immediate circle, or in any newspapers I read, has ever said that they thought Nelson Mandela was dead well before he actually died. Where did this idea originate ?

Jackie Offen

Berenstein Bears is the big one, I remember them (because they were) as Berenstein but apparently it’s now Berenstain (which is wrong)! I wish I still had my kids books.

Myrna Olson

So many say, Build it and they will come!! It is he will come... just Shoeless Joe Jackson (,I think}

Penelope Harrison

I misread it and thought it was mandala. I was deffo going round in circles with that one!!!!

Jim Adams

Old, old stuff and there are versions of Monopoly, abet likely illegal knockoffs, where the monopoly man does have monocle. I bought a beautiful Monopoly game in Singapore aka the illegal copycat kingdom of the Orient.

Allison Aspden

Interesting observations.

Ilias Tsiabardas

Never heard of that bat is very good to know about Mandela Effect

ninakamwene

That was fascinating. Of all the things to remember Mandela for. Never had of it. I thought: "Luke, I am your father" was correct even though I saw the movie many years ago. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison and became the president of South Africa, that is what we should remember him for. May he RIP. Thank you.