Common misconceptions are a part of life. This is why QI is one of the best shows ever - I love Stephen Fry telling me how I've been a fucking idiot all of my life. It's great.
Anyway, I'm about to make you feel like a fucking idiot too. Here's some common misconceptions that AREN'T TRUE.
No, honestly. I've done so much research it'll make your ears bleed. So please, don't inbox me and tell me I'm wrong.
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First up...
Your hair and fingernails keep growing after you die
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Sorry, this is not true. I know, right?! I believed it too. Although I have no idea where I first heard it. Basically, your body begins to dehydrate once you're dead. This can cause the skin around your nails and hair to retract. Therefore, they'll look like they've grown. But they haven't.
Sugar makes kids hyperactive
You know when kids are acting up and someone goes 'oh, who gave them sugar?'. Well it turns out that the kid is just being a brat.
The majority of scientific research has shown that sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children.
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People only use 10% of their brains
I actually knew this prior to writing this article. Remember Lucy? The Scarlett Johansson movie that well, flopped. But also claimed that 'Lucy' had developed the ability to use the "untapped" majority of her brain. Turns out, it's all bollocks. Neurologists state that we use pretty much every part of our brains, and most of it is active almost constantly.
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Dropping a penny from the top of the Empire State Building would kill someone if it hit them
Pennies are very light. Due to this, they tumble as they fall. You can imagine it now, can't you? Rolling over and over as it falls towards the ground. Well, this leads to air resistance. That means that by the time its reached its terminal velocity (a term you may remember from Year 9 science lessons) it's not really going very fast. It would hurt someone a little, but they'd soon forget about it.
Goldfish have a memory that lasts for three seconds
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This blew my mind. Goldfishes' memories are actually one of the best of all the fishes. Bow to the fish memory overlords.
Get this though, they can be trained. They respond to light and music as well as a few other cues.
We've put together this video with a few other common misconceptions that have been debunked, check them out.
Is your mind blown? Did you know all of these already and are now thinking that I'm a bit thick? Do you have any other common misconceptions that you want us to known about?
Email us: [email protected] and blow our minds. But don't tell me about Frankenstein being the name of the SCIENTIST and not the MONSTER. Everyone knows that.
Words by Mel Ramsay
Featured image credit: Getty
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