You know what they say about people with big feet, right? Erm, the larger the shoe, the larger the sock... obviously.
That’s right, the old myth that shoe size is linked to the length of someone’s penis is more urban legend than, ahem, hard science, according to the NHS.
On its website, the NHS cites a study published in the British Journal of Urology International in 2002, which saw researchers measure the members of more than 100 men.
“The idea that your penis size is in proportion to your shoe size is a myth, according to a study published in the British Journal of Urology International,” it said in an article on sexual health.
“Researchers at University College London measured the penises of 104 men, including teenagers and pensioners.
“The average penis length in this group was 13cm (5.1 inches) when soft and gently stretched, and the average British shoe size was 9 (43 European size).
“But researchers found no link between shoe size and penis length.”
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According to Insider, another study conducted in Canada back in 1993 found similar results.
After comparing the height, foot length and penis length of 63 men, researchers found only a very slight correlation between larger feet and longer penises – noting that the relationship was so weak that ‘foot size would not serve as practical estimators of penis length’.
Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, physician and health expert, told the outlet: "Trying to predict a person's penis size based upon the size of their feet is pretty much futile. The body of research available demonstrates no scientific evidence that can definitively link both penile length and shoe size, yet the 'large feet equals large penis' myth still continues to pervade in popular culture.”
Dr. Jill McDevitt, resident sexologist at CalExotics, added: "Penis size is not correlated with or predicted by shoe size or any other body part for that matter. Penis size is determined by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, mostly in utero.”
And there are many other penis misconceptions out there, with the NHS also saying that the ‘so-called love muscle’ isn’t actually a muscle and doesn’t contain any, contrary to popular belief.
This is apparently why you can’t move it very much when it’s erect, as the penis is a ‘kind of sponge that fills with blood when a man is sexually excited’.
“Blood builds up inside 2 cylinder-shaped chambers, causing the penis to swell and stiffen,” the NHS explained.
“The swelling blocks off the veins that normally take blood away from the penis.
“As an erection disappears, the arteries in the 2 chambers narrow again, allowing blood to drain away from the penis.”
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Health
Jess Hardiman