8 well-known facts that turned out to be a lie

5/6/2019

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History Story: 8 well-known facts that turned out to be a lie

Our life is full of surprises. It might be so that things you thought you knew turned out to be different. Let’s take a look at eight myths you should stop believe in.

#1 The big toe is the longest

Look at your feet. It might be that you are in 10% of people whose index toes are longer that big toes. Such index toe is called Morton’s toe. Feet with these toes were considered to be an aesthetic standard in Ancient Greece

#2 Cologne was meant for good smell

The first cologne was created by an Italian inventor Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709. A bottle had an instruction which said this miracle liquid was an antidote, a cure for the plague and jaundice and a painkiller.

#3 Irish coffee was invented in Ireland

As incredible as it might sound, Irish coffee was invented in the USA, San Francisco. By the way, people in Ireland like tea more than coffee.

#4 The 21st century began in 2000

It is another common misbelief. According to the Gregorian calendar, the new millennium began in the year A.D.1. There was no year 0. That means that the 20th century lasted from 1901 to and including 2000. Accordingly, the 21st century began in the year 2001.

#5 Gladiators fought to the death

Hollywood films often show gladiator fights when only one fighter is alive. In fact, there were strict rules according to which the fighters should be under equal conditions in the same weight category. In case of a serious injury, the fight was stopped.

#6 Meteorites are hot when they hit the Earth

In reality, 9 in 10 meteorites have poor heat conductivity. Moreover, cold core of a meteorite cools it from the inside.

#7 Silver items help to purify water

Indeed, silver has bactericidal properties. However, if you put a silver spoon or coin in a glass with water there won't be any use: the number of silver ions will be too small for purification.

#8 You have to run in a zigzag pattern from a crocodile

First, it is not typical of crocodiles to attack on land. Second, if it happens, an animal speeds up to 16 km per hour (9.94 mph). However, in water, this kind of meeting will be really dangerous as crocodiles can swim as fast as 30 km per hour (18.6 mph). So on land, you can run away from a crocodile in any pattern you wish to.

Do you have something to add or discuss? You are welcome to do so in the comments below! And remember to share it with your friends!

#History #funny #knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

65 Comments

flanderschristy

Thank you for the interesting facts especially the one about the second toe being longer than the big toe. I am one of the 10% who has a second toe longer than the big toe. Mine is way longer than my big toe. I have to buy my shoes a half size bigger to accommodate that toe & then it still tends to rub on the end of my shoe when I walk. Therefore that toe is often sore after a lot of walking. Also glad to hear that in Egypt it was considered aesthetically pleasing. I've always hid my toes because I found it very unattractive. Any time I wear sandals people comment on how long that toe is. They say it looks more like a finger than a toe. Hahaha

DIVER DEAN

Thank you for the information on the twentieth century. I have been arguing that fact for years with people who simply cannot accept that the 21st century began on 1 January, 2001.

Patty Tubbs

Interesting info. The facts about perfume is a new one to me. I learned that the idea of perfume was to be used because the poor personal hygiene and the clothing was not laundered. But the “medicinal” use also makes sense!!

Donald McBurney

when meteorites hit the earth's atmosphere they start to burn up due to friction.they may be nearly or completely consumed by the time they hit the ground or ocean.for a short time fragments may be very hot.

Elsy O. Stromberg

garrett scott, If it's an "alternative fact."

Mary Linduska

I'm always in a discussion about the new century starting with 2001, not 2000. It drove me crazy during the New Year's celebrations from 1999 to 2000. Decades go from 1 to 10, not 0 to 9. I could never understand how people didn't realize it.

Conrado De Leon

As a nournalist I fought a losing battle with the ombeciles who welcomed year 3000 as the first year of the 21 st century. Incredibluy, the braying ignorants said it was a matter of opinion.

Matthew Roen

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes, the article says 10% have longer second toe so you are in the normal 90%.

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

Fred Zeb Fudpucker, is that your real name because if it is so cool, if not it’s still cool…

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

Gayle Rutledge Arnold, thanks for writing the word charlatan I could not think of the word…

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

Don Racette, good one…

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

The 21st century not starting until 2001 actually made sense to me. My big toes are longer does that mean I am normal or a freak. The Irish coffee was a surprise but the colonge wasn’t I can see a traveling man traveling in a wagon selling it as a medicinal…

Tina Marie Haddad Rhodes

flanderschristy, always love yourself even a longer toe…

garrett scott

How can a fact be false?

lmoores

I had heard about the century thing.

patrickdocmcwilliams

There was a post-nuclear war movie called "Panic In Year Zero". The Y2K fear was based on the switch from "19" to "20". Early computers didn't have the capacity that later ones had to accommodate the switch. At the time I did see a website in which the date shifted from "1999" to "19100".