There are tons of myths many of us grow up thinking are true, despite their absurdity.
For example, you won’t get sick just because you leave your house with wet hair in the winter. You also won’t drown if you swim right after you eat, and touching a toad certainly won’t give you warts.
But these are just some of the false statements that somehow get passed down from generation to generation. And, if you believed any of them, don't fret — because you certainly aren't the only one.
CollegeHumor shared a YouTube video debunking several more of these false beliefs, including a popular tale about one of the greatest scientists in history, Albert Einstein, and one about the first president of the United States.
Check out 14 things below that you probably once thought were true and make sure to SHARE this with your friends if you were surprised by any of them!
1. Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t short.
The French leader was actually about 5’7”, which was considered taller than average in the 18th and 19th century. So much for the phrase "Napoleon complex."
2. Humans don’t only use 10 percent of their brain.
This myth is so old and so false!
3. There's no such thing as cow tipping.
The sport of cow tipping involves a person sneaking up behind a sleeping cow and tipping the animal over for entertainment. The problem: cows don’t sleep standing up. Other research also explains that the average person doesn’t have enough strength to knock over a cow.
4. Touching baby birds isn’t a big deal.
According to old tales, touching a baby bird will make the mother reject it because of your human smell. But birds really don’t have that strong of a sense of smell.
If you are surprised by these, wait till you get to the next page!
5. George Washington didn’t have wooden teeth.
He may have had dental issues, but Mr. Washington's dentures were made of gold and lead — not wood.
6. Eight glasses of water a day isn’t necessary.
While drinking a lot of water is good for you, there’s no scientific evidence proving you need to drink eight glasses a day.
7. Cops can lie.
That’s right: Cops don't have to tell you they are cops while undercover.
8. Vikings didn't wear horned helmets.
There’s no evidence that proves they wore helmets with horns.
9. George Washington Carver didn’t invent peanut butter.
The Aztecs actually mashed roasted peanuts into a paste a very, very long time ago.
Wait till you get to #12!
10. Thomas Crapper didn’t invent the toilet.
He may have been a plumber, but Mr. Crapper can’t take credit for the toilet's invention.
11. And, Al Gore didn’t invent the internet.
And he never claimed he did! He just poorly expressed himself during a CNN interview in 1999.
12. Albert Einstein didn’t fail high school math.
Come on! He invented the theory of relativity!
13. The Great Wall of China can’t be seen from space.
This manmade object isn’t visible from space. Just look at NASA's website.
14. You won’t explode in space.
You could actually survive in the vacuum of space for up to about 15 seconds before running out of oxygen and losing consciousness.
Make sure to SHARE this with your friends!
Get more details in the comical video below!
