Question 1

Cracking your neck or back can cause a stroke.

Accepted Answer

Plausible: While rare, forceful neck cracking can potentially lead to a stroke. This occurs if the vertebral arteries in the neck, which supply blood to the brain, are stretched or torn, leading to a dissection and possible blood clot formation. The risk is higher for individuals with pre-existing conditions like weakened arteries, high blood pressure, or connective tissue disorders.

Question 2

Eating a balanced diet means you don't need supplements.

Accepted Answer

Plausible: For most healthy individuals, a truly balanced diet provides all the necessary vitamins and minerals, making supplements unnecessary. However, certain groups, such as pregnant women, those with specific dietary restrictions (e.g., vegans), or individuals with absorption issues, may benefit from or require supplements. It's best to consult a healthcare professional to determine individual needs.

Question 3

Humans are the slowest primates

Accepted Answer

Busted: Humans are actually among the fastest primates in terms of sustained running speed. While many primates excel at climbing and brachiation, most cannot match a human's endurance running ability. Usain Bolt reached speeds of nearly 28 mph in short sprints, and average humans can sustain running speeds that most primates cannot maintain over distance.

Question 4

The color orange was named after the fruit

Accepted Answer

Confirmed: The fruit orange was named first, with the word entering English from Sanskrit via Persian, Arabic, and Old French. The color was previously called geoluhread (yellow-red) in Old English.

Question 5

Lightning can strike from a clear blue sky

Accepted Answer

Confirmed: So-called 'bolts from the blue' are real phenomena where lightning strikes occur up to 25 miles away from the parent thunderstorm, appearing to come from a clear sky. These are among the most dangerous types of lightning.

Today's Myths

“Cracking your neck or back can cause a stroke.”

“Eating a balanced diet means you don't need supplements.”

“Humans are the slowest primates”

“The color orange was named after the fruit”

“Lightning can strike from a clear blue sky”

“The Bermuda Triangle is in the most dangerous stretch of ocean for shipping”

“The brain is grey.”

“Ostriches bury their heads in the sand.”

“Tapping the top of a soda can prevents it from fizzing over”

“You can determine the exact age of a tree simply by counting all its visible rings.”

“Sharks are older than trees”

“You can get warts from touching a toad.”

“Quicksand can suck you under completely”

“A dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's mouth.”

“The Bermuda Triangle causes ships and planes to mysteriously disappear.”